I am writing about the excessive cell phone usage amongst the youth in our country. Seriously, take a look around while you are out and about in even just the grocery stores. Nine out of 10 kids/teens in all age ranges are walking literally glued to their cellphones while attempting to walk alongside their parent.
Have you ever noticed the group of children waiting for the school bus with text neck because again, they are glued to their phone? Seriously, y’all it has to stop.
I speak on behalf of my own learning as I am raising four girls ages from 15, 14, 7, and 5. At the beginning of summer, I took the cell phones that my teenagers had because they were out of control. I am to blame for even allowing them to have cell phones. It was honestly the worst mistake I could make as a parent.
Despite the excessive monitoring on their devices, I was not around them 24/7 to monitor all activities. They downloaded social media which I was not okay with and that was it.
Now, many parents think that cell phones are “easy” because the child can reach the parent from school or an after school emergency. Listen, our job as parents is not to find what is the most convenient way, but the most effective way to raise our kids. Of course if the child has a phone then it would be easier for he or she to reach their parent. However, the phone usage inside the schools is an absolute joke. Trust me when I say, the lax district we are in has just as lax principals and administrators who show zero concern for this matter and even say, “It’s the way of the world.” Wow, is all I can on that.
Now, I am a 35-year-old and I made it just fine without a cell phone in school. I am sure a majority of readers reading this can vouch for the same. So, my daughters will have no phone until they are out of my house.
Some of you reading this are probably shaking your heads and thinking, “Those poor kids.” Well, if that pertains to you then I am shaking my head thinking, “Poor parents.”
Let’s get our youth back. I challenge y’all to take your child or teen's cell phone for the weekend and actually spend time with them. I also encourage y’all to do random phone checks. Believe me when I say that there is a lot of learning to be done when you take the time to actually crack into their phones as well as social media. For instance, Snap Chat has a “secretive” stream that you have to use a four digit password to actually see. Several apps can be hidden on their phone including a calculator app that you have to put the correct numbers in to unlock the messages. Now, if you just put random numbers in this specific calculator app then you will never have known it’s a message app.
Technology is ruining these kids. These apps are being targeted to the youth and ultimately it does nothing for them but make them spend countless hours especially if no limits are being placed. Parents, it is your job to check their phones. It’s is your responsibility to make sure your kids are safe online. It is also your responsibility to not allow these devices to make it “easier” on you by letting them spend hours upon hours getting text neck because it’s easier for you if they just stay on their phones.
Will this article hit nerves? Of course. However, I am raising my young ladies to be amazing grown women without a phone in their hand and up their rear. How many of y’all can say the same or are willing to go the extra mile to stop the insanity of the cellphones and devices that have taken over our youth?
Nicole Morris