Cell phones and the Internet

The internet and cell phones are impacting relationships significantly. When I was growing up, five of us shared one house phone. I knew everyone who called for my sisters, mother, and stepdad. There was no expectation to return a call within a specific time frame. If I wanted to talk to a girl, I had to call her home and ask her parents for permission. This often involved the inevitable question, “who is this?” If I had a less-than-stellar reputation, her parents would either bar me from speaking to their child or interrogate her to ensure our relationship was platonic. This process instilled in me a deep respect for both adults and peers.
Building relationships during that era was challenging without parents being aware. Many friends, both boys and girls, were only conversational companions during school hours. However, it was rare to encounter them outside of the school setting. The kids I associated with were known to their parents, and even today, those parents inquire about me, demonstrating the lasting impact of that indirect monitoring through the house phone. This system helped keep children in check, discouraging negative influences and fostering a sense of respect.
For young people who have never experienced life without a cell phone, I encourage you to watch a scene from the movie “Menace II Society.” In this scene, Ol’ Dog, a character portrayed as a thug, displays a remarkable level of respect when engaging with Kane’s grandparents. This kind of respect is less prevalent in today’s society, a shift that I attribute to the widespread use of cell phones and the multitude of associations kids have that remain unknown to their parents.
Cell phones afford kids and adolescents private lives that parents may not be aware of. While it’s possible to implement filters and restrictions, many of these can be easily bypassed by tech-savvy kids. The internet exposes children to potentially harmful content, including themes of sex, drugs, and violence. I advocate for age restrictions on internet and smartphone usage. For instance, children should not have smartphones until the age of 13, with restricted access to adult content until 16. At 17, they could have unrestricted access to the internet and social media. This proposal aims to shield children from negative influences online. What are your thoughts on this idea?