Non-Americans, is this problem common in your country?

[OlderAndWiser]

Yes, I am a dinosaur but I am not opposed to technology. I have a smart phone (iPhone 11) and I know how to use it. However, I think we should be the master of technology and not a slave to technology. These kids are addicts! They CAN'T LIVE without their phones.

They could be talking to each other but they'd rather be engrossed in their cell phones. When they decide they want a date with a girl, they won't talk to her in person or even talk on the phone; instead, they'll send her a text. And when she wants to break up with him, no actual conversation; she'll just send a text. And then they'll ask "why don't I ever feel connected to anyone?" without realizing that they have eliminated the activities that make people feel connected.

Is this what kids do in your part of the world? (G@G only gives me 7 options in a poll, so I apologize for those who don't live in Europe, Asia, or South America.)

I am from Europe and this is a common problem

I am from Europe and this is NOT a common problem

I am from Asia and this is a common problem

I am from Asia and this is NOT a common problem

I am from South America and this is a common problem

I am from South America and this is NOT a common problem

I am not from Europe, Asia, or South America and I'll leave a comment regarding kids absorbed with their phones in my area

[exitseven]

I teach at a college and I watch groups of kids walking between classes and they are all looking at their phones instead of talking to each other. Maggie Jackson wrote a book called "Distracted" and it is about the detrimental effects of technology on society.

[OlderAndWiser]

"Distracted" is a great word because part of the problem is people texting while driving. I handle many automobile accident cases and I see tis FAR too often!

[exitseven]

yes, it should be a felony.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO😎

[-Asca-]

Social media is specifically designed to make people addicted to the instant gratification and dopamine. This is indeed a huge problem for most people my age including myself.

[OlderAndWiser]

I appreciate your candor!

[razelove]

I think everything changed not when the technology matured, or had more proliferation, but when the phone companies got smarter.

I had a blackberry when it had the little spinny wheel on the side, and phones were bought with cash, no freebies or putting it on the plan. Very few people had motorolas, kicks, or blackberries then.

Suddenly people were sending more than one word texts, because they could get better phones on a payment plan. That's our timeline. For people who grew up with touch screens and cheaper gaming consoles, they are fun and addictive.

Going forwards, how do you make a convincing argument that socializing is the better strategy, when the common ground to begin socializing with your peers is the technology and through the technology in the first place?

[SaoirseS]

I realize you're primarily asking for non-American replies, but thought I'd jump in with a couple of comments. I think people being tethered to cell phones is becoming a problem for people of most ages, and I see it affecting people's manners and good sense.

At least a couple times a week, I hear phones go off during funeral or graveside services. I've seen teens and young adults discreetly texting or checking social media during services. But what really gets me is despite signage at the entrance asking people to 1) silence their phones, 2) turn them off (better), or 3) leave them in their cars (best), and despite the officiant/celebrant asking people to please turn off their phones at the beginning of the service, some people just won't do it. I get that people make mistakes, and when their phone rings they hurriedly decline the call and silence the phone then turn it off. It happens. But the worst ones are the ones whose phone rings, they take the call in the middle of the service, and have a phone conversation (although in a low tone of voice) without any consideration for others, especially families. These are adults who truly know better. I definitely agree, we should be the master of technology not slave to it.

[ArtemisSilver]

I'm Canadian, and yes it's an obvious addiction/discipline problem.

A smart phone is an incredibly powerful tool. When you use it like one. Otherwise it can just be a dopamine dispenser for captivating idiots. Young people need to have the difference taught to them or they're probably going to just use it for mindless entertainment.

On the other side of that though, old people never seem to be able to tell the difference between a kid "being addicted" or doing something productive. They seem to assume everyone's just playing Candy Crush and pissing around on Facebook because that's all they know how to use a phone for.

You can do nearly anything on a phone now, for example if I'm on the train looking at my phone I could be reading a book or the news, or learning French. I could order a ride, groceries or takeout. Hell, I use my phone to trade stocks, crypto and study business courses.

I routinely make more noodling around day trading on my phone than a lot of people do at a hard days work. Yes it's very odd, and just goes to show that life isn't fair and smarter beats harder in terms of work.

It's just a tool, use it don't be used by it, and you're golden. Don't assume all the kid's on their phones are idiots either, one in the bunch is probably sitting there getting rich.

[Aerissa_Jade]

I'll say my generator, especially when I was dating... often guys or myself would want to discuss and work out problems via text. Rather than in person, but we still spent a lot of time in person.

My personal reason for it, was so I had a record of it. Your an attorney so you know what I mean, when he agrees to something and then later on says he didn't... I just scroll back through a hundred pages and find the conversation where he did agree to it, to say... see you did right there.

Rather than me remembering he agreed but he says he didn't and there is no evidence.

[OlderAndWiser]

Yeah, but if you are at the point of needing to prove an agreement to make it enforceable, you're already close to the end. . . in my experience.

[Aerissa_Jade]

Naw sometimes its he just say something then later claim he forgot it, maybe he really did. I've had entire fights and arguments over text and make up too, I know it can seem weird but it happens.

Not so much now that I'm married, I tend to get in his face more.

[midnightmoon05]

In my neck of the world… yes they are on their phones…
my boss just made an announcement that phones will be confiscated if she sees them out during work time.
but we must use the phone in order for us to get into our work email… then they lock us out… but we are not suppose to check out email during instructional time… sigh 😞…

once I’m done with work at home.. my technology is out away… I have no interest in knowing what’s going on the the world 😂

some of my students told me… they were unable to get their parents attention because their parents are always on their phones :( maybe looking for a job? Maybe watching shows? Maybe gaming?
they are disconnected from their parents… so… what kind of connection will they form from friends? Future partners?
I think these examples are happening in other parts of the world.

[SimpleGuy95]

Yes pretty much. Coming from Germany I also know that it's not just a problem if you don't have a smartphone as a kid you could also get the wrong one.
Like I already grew up in a generation that discussed much of its problems by phone.
Many kids have clear expectations towards their parents because older smartphones can't open certain apps or games that are trendy so many kids have expensive smartphones from a young age.
In most cases also with an age restriction so the kids have full control of their phone.

[demonics]

It is not a joke that young people, specifically girls, struggle with ordering food in a restaurant, or say ordering a pizza by talking to a real person on the phone. You kids are fcked if you ask me. I mean I can't count how many of these purple haired kids can't look you in the eye when talking to you. Like WTF went wrong with this generation? Don't even get me started on these crazy behavioral ticks kids are developing. Then again, we're late to the party here in the west. Asia (mostly Japan and S. Korea) has been dealing with this for at least 2 decades now with the social media, always online, taking pictures of mundane activities, not interacting with real people for weeks at a time.

[Massageman]

It certainly is in the US.

When I was in Haiti, I was surprised to know that- in a country where a concrete block house with an outhouse is fancy living, most people have a cellphone. They get cards to code in to get their minute, but billing is in 6 second intervals. It is typical for someone to make a call, wait for the other phone to ring, and then hang up. They get billed for the minimum 6 seconds, and the ring is just a code to the callee to let them know that the caller is safe, reached their destination, etc.

[Anonymous]

I think (no offense at all) people your age tend to overrexaggerate the whole slave to our phones type of thing. We use it a lot but we still hang out a lot in person... it doesn't take away connection or meaning or anything either. We also do other things than just being 24/7 on our phone...

[OlderAndWiser]

So you actually have phone conversations with SO's instead of texting? Guy's don't send you a text to ask for a date? You haven't broken up with anyone by sending a text? If so, you are the exception. . . and I am not out of touch with your generation. I mentor young men at one of my local universities.

[Opinion Owner]

I talk & text both but i do the rest.. don't see how that's a bad thing though

[OlderAndWiser]

Anyone who has a few years of experience with relationships will see it as an impediment to people developing social skills. More so for ome people than for others.

[jshm2]

You're confused.

Those kids are doing exactly what you did in your youth, but in a different and more modern way.

Instead of segregating Blacks and Whites in school, water fountains and society like yours did, they do that online instead.

Instead of abusing women and not giving them the vote or equality like yours did, they stalk and harass on dating apps instead.

Instead of being belligerent and uninformed to neighbours about other people not like them, and not in their country. They do that on Facebook and chat forums instead.

Instead of being drunk and angry towards family and friends like you and yours were, they do all that in online games instead.

You're just in denial, is all.

[OlderAndWiser]

"Instead of segregating Blacks and Whites in school, water fountains and society like yours did, they do that online instead." My generation did not do that. Desegregation of the schools began when I was in 8th grade and I really wasn't placed in charge of anything at that point inmy career.

"Instead of abusing women and not giving them the vote or equality like yours did, they stalk and harass on dating apps instead." If you think I abuse women, you can go to Hell! You know absolutely nothing about me.

"Instead of being belligerent and uninformed to neighbours about other people not like them, and not in their country. They do that on Facebook and chat forums instead." Where do you get this nonsense? Simply saying something doesn't make it true.

"Instead of being drunk and angry towards family and friends like you and yours were, they do all that in online games instead." When was I drunk and angry towards friends? If you think I did that, tell me when it happened!

"You're just in denial, is all." And you are in fantasyland.

Goodbye.

[Levin]

This happens everywhere, in my neck of the woods anyway.

I was on the tram yesterday and you see most people glued to their phones.

Young and old. Young people obviously don't have the context of being without technology, but adults are pretty bad too. I just treat it on an individual level. If you're around someone and they're constantly on their phone, then you don't hang out with them again. It's basic courtesy.

[menina]

Voted G since I'm from an African country. From what I've seen this a problem that my nephews and nieces have. However my sisters make sure that they also spend time with each other and with other kids. I guess this only happens if you give a phone to a kid.
However, I don't know about other kids in my country since I don't live there.

[Julie4]

I am European and yes it is the same in my country. But to be honest I could do a self-criticism because I spend a lot of time myself on my phone in my free time.


I spend time with my friends and do various activities, and I don't eat with my phone at the table for example.


But I spend a lot of time on it especially in the evening.


I think this is what happens in most of the developed countries.

[NathanDavis]

yes, for Mexico...

even if both smartphones and internet data are way more expensive, people still hooked to their phones

one interesting effect though, it significantly reduced smoking and drinking among the youth in/around schools

[Anonymous]

This is a common problem now anywhere outside the tribal places we still have today.
its true, that we have reached a point where our phones aren't just a utility of assistance but many are now on a leash with their phones to the point where girls would not talk to me if i dont have social media. it Happened more times than i can count on my hands. what should i call this phenomenon? weakness i guess.

[Snsl153]

Yes, this is a problem wherever people use mobile phones (which now is the entire planet, with the possible exceptions of places like the tribes of the Amazon jungle and North Korea).

[wallyworld12]

Technology is wild and will soon grow to dominate our lives even more. Introducing AI. I read a article recently that was sort of alarming and was more of a warning than anything.

Here is the article:
https://venturebeat. com/2022/05/14/prepare-for-arrival-tech-pioneer-warns-of-alien-invasion/amp/

[meetkitty123]

I've been to Canada and it seemed the same. Puerto Rico is part of the us but the culture is different... Regardless its there too.

[alice55]

Not sure, some people are addict for sure but I think most aren't, at least I'm not I'm constantly losing my phone in my home cause it's white and most of my house is white so I never see it.

[Valso]

Yes, it's a common problem here as well. They're like zombies because of those phones! That's why I made this meme a year ago: