I have observed with much regret that the current lifestyle we have adopted in this part of our world and have been practising for some time is really ‘destroying or killing us’, despite the goodies that come with modern life.
First, let’s take a look at the SMART PHONE that has come to stay. Almost everyone, young and old, are getting hooked up and addicted to its use. I call it the ‘SMART PHONE FEVER’. Even in our villages, though they lack basic amenities like hospitals, schools, and potable water, they will still do everything possible to possess a smart phone.
People get so glued to their phone, chatting on social media like Facebook or WhatsApp, and even fail to eat or lose appetite. Others will also stay up late in the night just to communicate or chat with these smart phones. They feel obliged to respond to messages or missed calls from loved ones and friends. Sometimes, they will stay awake just chatting and sending pictures and videos till the following morning.
This addiction, consciously or unconsciously by users of these SMART PHONES, makes them forget that they have had busy or hectic days and should retire to bed early to have enough rest for the following day’s activities.
Sadly, this current trend is not only affecting our health, but also destroying homes. Husbands and wives go their separate ways because of addiction to the smart phone, which is seriously posing a threat to marriages; suspicion of infidelity; because of too much time on the phone. Marriages are falling on rocks because of addiction to smart phones at the wrong time and place.
Children, instead of learning or revising notes, prefer to use the smart phone bought by dad or mum or guardians to watch PORN or ‘FLIRT’ on the phone without the consent of parents or guardians. Instead of staying glued to their books to learn, they will be busy chatting with friends and ‘lovers’ on these smart phones, exposing them to premarital sex and other social vices.
Thus, resulting in poor academic performance during exams, and parents or guardians point accusing fingers at teachers or the management of schools, forgetting they are the ‘culprits’ here.
The essence of the invention of the ‘SMART PHONE’ or the original intention by the inventor or manufacturer to make it easy to communicate with loved ones, check emails, listen to news or watch news, etc., has seemingly lost its intended purpose. Rather, the addiction to using smart phones is becoming a menace in our society.
Instead of Christians praying or listening to the pastor preaching, they will be busy using their phones. I watched this with much dismay at some few churches I attended.
When drivers are supposed to remain focused on the road and at the wheel, they will be seen talking on their phones.
I humbly entreat each one of us to take a serious look at the use of smart phones so that it will be a blessing, not a curse.
