Tag: cell phones

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Cell Phones at the Dinner Table

Cell Phones at the Dinner TableDo you jump the second you hear your phone buzz or beep? Do you freak out if you forget your phone somewhere? Do you never leave a room without your phone?

I was always afraid to get cell phone in the beginning because I thought of them as an electronic leash. I don’t think it’s necessary for people to be able to get a hold of you every second of of day. I think it’s actually turned people into open books almost. People share everything or text a friend about the most random things throughout the day. I don’t think they would have shared whatever happened if they didn’t have a cell phone.

I think the challenge above is a great one.  To me it challenges everyone at the dinner table to actually be present and involved with the people that are partaking in the meal. Without this challenge you would probably see people checking and updating their Facebook status, playing some silly game, and or texting.

I know I have been guilty of using my cell phone when it wasn’t necessary and when I realize it I try to make a conscious effort to put the silly thing down. Whatever it is, it can probably wait until the meal is over, the television show is over, or you are done playing the board game.

Try this out with your family and friends and see what happens.

 

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Cell Phones for Children at What Age

It took me a very long time to get a cell phone.  I was very anti-cell phone actually.  I thought of them as electronic leashes and I didn’t want to have anything to do with them. That changed one year when I was a senior in college and my car broke down in the middle of an intersection.  I was all alone and needed help.  At that moment I realized that having a cell phone in case of emergency was probably a good idea.

Now, my kids are starting to ask when they will be able to have a cell phone of their own.  They use mine all of the time to play games.  They don’t use it to make calls because they aren’t old enough to want to hang on the phone for hours.  Right now I think it’s more a fascination with all of the apps on the phone that serve as entertainment.  But I’m starting to ask when will that age be gone and it be time to get them phones for emergencies.

I’m thinking when the kids are in middle school will be a good age.  I will have strict rules about NOT using the phones during school to play or chat or text friends.  I don’t want them to disrupt other students or break school rules.  However, I do want them to be safe if they are walking home from school or are hanging out at the mall with friends.  I guess I’ll take it one day at a time for now.  I still have a few years to go before I really have to worry about it.