Brrrring… my alarm clock went off. Wait let me correct that; my cell phone alarm went off. “What's so extraordinary about that?”, one might wonder? Okay lets analyze a typical day into an ordinary person's life, say Tom, a college student. He wakes up early in the morning at the sound of his cell alarm ringing. He checks his class schedule. On his way to class he rings up his parents. Sends an SMS, to let his friend know he will be late for coffee. He checks his appointments stored for the day. It reminds him of a prior engagement with his dentist. So he calls his friend again and tells him he can't make it. He reaches his destination. The entire day he answers about 10 phone calls, sends at least 4 text messages and finally at night he retires to bed after setting his alarm and his appointments for the next day. Notice how dependent he is on his cell phone. One would be forced to wonder how people managed before the whole mobile phone mania? Gone are the days when mobile phones were considered a status symbol and were owned by the affluent and the elite. They say, “Necessity is the Mother of Invention”. In the modern, fast- paced life a mobile phone has indeed become nothing short of a necessity. Earlier people would actually meet tête-à-tête to stay in touch. Then as time passed by it switched over to letters, phone calls, emails and now SMS. Mobile phones have helped people stay connected with each other 24/7. In this day and age, mobiles do not serve the purpose of 'staying in touch' only. It helps you manage your appointments, remember important dates and occasions, helps you manage your email, capture at the spur of the moment pictures with the inbuilt camera…. the list is never-ending. It would be no exaggeration to say that a mobile phone has become a Man's Best Friend. But there is another side to the coin. Not considering the yet unproven health hazards, mobile phones have their cons as well. We all have heard the horrors of the camera phone. It can be very infuriating and not to mention disturbing when you're in the mosque and the mobile phone rings in a loud musical tone. Talking on the phone while driving has caused serious and fatal accidents. Cell phones are like fire. If used and handled properly they prove to be a boon; if not, they are a nuisance. The trick is to handle it with utmost conscientiousness. Putting the phone on silent when visiting sensitive and public places like a hospital, place of worship, classroom, theaters etc is not just an act of consideration but also etiquette.
Lastly, know your limits. Rule your phone. Don't let it rule you.
Fatima Rafat Qadri passed out of IISR in KSA, in 2004.
Published on June 16, 2005
