Is our generation ADDICTED to mobile/tablet much?

[Flash]

When i travelled in bus/train while i was a kid, the commuters who don't even know each other will share newspapers among them, and talk about something. Even if two guys were talking about a trivial thing, the whole compartment/bus will listen and others join.

But in our generation, all i can see is "bowed head looking on a mobile/tablet/laptop" on public vehicles. As soon as people got into the bus/train, they find a place or stand around in the corner, take their mobiles and see movie/hear songs/play games/read news in it. At any time, 7/8 people are engaged in mobile and the 1/8 read newspaper/scare at the window. Where's the casual speech or the pen friends gone?

Even the school kids are having mobiles and seeing movies (which also possess a risk of viewing scandal videos, if may) along with other kids.

I commute in train daily, all i can see is this.

 

[Gollum]

When i travelled in bus/train while i was a kid, the commuters who don't even know each other will share newspapers among them, and talk about something. Even if two guys were talking about a trivial thing, the whole compartment/bus will listen and others join.

But in our generation, all i can see is "bowed head looking on a mobile/tablet/laptop" on public vehicles. As soon as people got into the bus/train, they find a place or stand around in the corner, take their mobiles and see movie/hear songs/play games/read news in it. At any time, 7/8 people are engaged in mobile and the 1/8 read newspaper/scare at the window. Where's the casual speech or the pen friends gone?

Even the school kids are having mobiles and seeing movies (which also possess a risk of viewing scandal videos, if may) along with other kids.

I commute in train daily, all i can see is this.

Times have changed, move on!!!

 

[SaiyanGoku]

not our generation, but post 1996 generation is.

 

[Anorion]

I don't think it is a generation thing, but an age thing
teenagers and young adults are more self involved
middle aged people and senior citizens feel the need to talk more
maybe when we get older, we will pocket our devices and look around

also mobiles are primarily communication devices, it's not like they are engrossed in isolation, they are probably involved in a conversation not restricted by location

 

[GhorMaanas]

yes, much (again, not my gen, but later ones)! mobile screens - makes ppl bow their heads automatically, without them having to think to do it. drilled in the subconscious. awareness about surroundings very low. harmful. but a good move to ignore/slip out of the attention of those whom one doesn't wish to interact with!

its riling to see a friend/relative who comes home, but spends much of his time as a 'bow-head', texting away his energy instead of interacting or/and watching a movie properly. feels like smashing his face with his phone!

new kids are as possessive of their mumma-puppa's giant phones and iphones, as a dog is of its owner's car. but yes, probably age-thing more. as they would grow, past 30s or hopefully may be much earlier, these and other tech-toys would be relegated to pockets and dusty corners. disillusionment does come with materials, sooner or later.

P.S. - waah! a new term coined for cellphone-junkies - 'bow-heads'!
a maths teacher in middle-high used to comment on those who used to look down to escape attention/scolding - "neechey mundi, paataal dhundhi!" (loosely, 'bow your head, and you'll find the underworld/hell', or, 'only those look down who are trying to search for/go to the underworld'!).

 

[bssunilreddy]

Not us but our Toddlers are over addicted with PC and Mobile gaming. Stupid me.
My 4year old daughter plays mobile games like she was a PRO. Even I cannot play like her. All High Scores are by her.

 

[Anorion]

^wow. That's a good thing, they are just familiar with it, would not call it addiction.

 

[Zangetsu]

The Answer is YES...that's a harsh truth

I saw some people take it to Bathroom also while bathing
why

Spoiler

bcoz they want to Listen to Music during Bath

 

[avinandan012]

Not us but our Toddlers are over addicted with PC and Mobile gaming. Stupid me.
My 4year old daughter plays mobile games like she was a PRO. Even I cannot play like her. All High Scores are by her.

Ahhh you think mobile technology is your ally? You merely adopted the mobile. She was born in it, molded by it.

 

[Hrishi]

Naah....it's more of an age thing. A time will come in their life when they will get bored of the virtual does and will start hunting for entertainment and socialism in physical realm.

 

[axes2t2]

Naah....it's more of an age thing. A time will come in their life when they will get bored of the virtual does and will start hunting for entertainment and socialism in physical realm.

Correct.

Also someone who doesn't have hobbies and or plays some sport they have nothing better to do.

 

[Hrishi]

The second thing I missed to mention, was the ease of access . Who wouldn't want everything at their fingertips.
Emails , banking , office work , chatting , sharing , etc.
For instance , let's say I quote your post right now and if you use tapatalk , you will definitely get a notification in matter of few seconds. Rest is self explanatory.....

 

[Gen.Libeb]

The one thing I am tired about this generation of mobiles is the way mobiles look.. All of them look the freaking same.

I really hope in the coming years or two we see some change & see some different & good looking designs, may be flip, slide to make a comeback. It'd be great to have some variety.

On topic, I agree with the op. Its annoying at social places, its like a sign that says do not disturb me.

 

[$hadow]

This is what being less social means. I like being alone with less poking of others nose in my business. If I want to go outside I can but that should not be a compulsion and only option like in the past.

 

[Flash]

.. and I forgot to mention the people who cross the road with their eyes on the screen and ears on the headphones.
They're a risk to both riders and themselves.

 

[GhorMaanas]

.. and I forgot to mention the people who cross the road with their eyes on the screen and ears on the headphones.
They're a risk to both riders and themselves.

i think there was a news sometime back of some student getting killed by an oncoming train (in Mumbai i think), which s/he failed to notice, on account of the earphones and mobile taking her/his attention. it must not have been just a one-off unfortunate incident.

 

[amit.tiger12]

Addiction is everywhere, about everything, all the time.. You can't live without it...

What happen when there will be no Mobile, Computer, nothing.. only humans.. There will be some addictions..
Just observe the animals, what kind of addiction they have..

Strong point in humans is "Thinking ability" can make you weak sometimes.. So better don't think anything about that let it go...

 

[Nue]

Just because you saw some people fiddling with their phones on a train doesn't mean they're all addicted. I don't see how small talk is any better than, say, reading some article or listening to music on your phone.

Naah....it's more of an age thing. A time will come in their life when they will get bored of the virtual does and will start hunting for entertainment and socialism in physical realm.

Doubt it.

 

[Hrishi]

Just because you saw some people fiddling with their phones on a train doesn't mean they're all addicted. I don't see how small talk is any better than, say, reading some article or listening to music on your phone.



Doubt it.

Sure , you can.

 

[Anorion]

I don't see the difference really. Even if the screen is some magical kingdom where you get lost for hours and go on heroic quests for epic loot, it is still real, it is just not in meatspace. That in no way means that this magical kingdom is somehow less enriching or less useful in your personal growth than the things available "in the real world". If anything, you are having more focused experiences with like minded people. You are still socialising and interacting. At the end of the day, the treasure you have is not the gear drops or the rare weapon, but the friends you made along the way. Saying you are addicted to screens is like saying you are addicted to meatspace.
Yep, there is scope for addiction, and it can be physically damaging if you are not aware of your real surroundings, not denying that, but don't see anything inherently wrong in using touchscreens for long periods of time.