Should Phones be Banned During Family Time?
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Family time is a special moment when all families meet to discuss important issues or to celebrate one another. During this time, bonds are created and memories are shared. Everyone wants to be around their families and so, they do everything possible to make it worthwhile. Family time is something one should respect and value, especially with those who rarely see each other but once a year just like in my case.
My family and I meet ourselves at the end of the year during Christmas and New Year season, we come together, gist, laugh, joke and get serious when need be. At this time, we do not want anything to distract us as all we need at that time is undivided attention. During this time, I usually notice my aunts are always attentive when it comes to family gatherings as they do not want anything to ruin the fun and seriousness of the meeting. This is something we learnt from them and as young children, we try not to allow anything other than our attention to distract us so we can get all information clear and straightforward.
My sister would always warn me to do away with my phone anytime we travel home as she also has laid the example where she stops her work online just to create that time for the family since she would be spending a limited time with us. For someone like me and others who love to stay glued to their phones, it is difficult to stay away from it especially knowing how it is helping us meet up with information online, getting updates on work and learning new tools to make things easier for us.
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Technology has made things easier that we find ourselves getting attached to it every day to keep us abreast of the latest that is going on in the world, we do not want to miss out on anything, and staying away even for some minutes from our phones could make us miss out on some important information to keep us afloat. Still, family time cannot be disregarded; there should be a lot of respect for it. Family time needs quality time well spent and an undivided attention could make it happen.
It would be hard to ban phones during family time even though we need to focus and stay away from our phones as doing this would create a strong bond among ourselves, I feel the need to set boundaries is the best option rather than banning phones.
We have been taught what balancing is and how it could make a meaningful impact on one's life. Balancing equals setting boundaries for what needs to be done and things that should stay out of the way. When it comes to family gatherings, setting boundaries for phone usage or setting designated times to use phones should be considered. In this way, individuals can attend to important matters while prioritising quality time with their loved ones.
I would say that this practice is one we have set in my family where, when it's time for meetings among us, everyone would keep their phones at a distance while focusing on each other and paying rapt attention. My sister and aunts have this disciplined attitude where you can't even make use of phones when it's time for get together except for when we need to take pictures, at least the quality time needed at a certain period has been achieved while the remaining time is for gisting, taking pictures and enjoying the fun.
If we say phones should be banned, then what should be used to create memories which we could go back to view while appreciating the moment for a lifetime? I wouldn't go with the opinion that phones should be banned but setting boundaries for when phones should be used or not is what should be focused on. Doing this would bring balance in the home and as a family. While doing this among the adults, children would also want to set the standard as we are doing today because of how we have seen our adults set an example of it.
Thanks for your time reading. Looking forward to your interaction.
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You made very valid points in this article dear friend. Phones and technology has made it easier for us to make memories, and it won't be completely wise to ban phones in family meetings. It's basically a matter of setting boundaries and knowing when to be with your phone and when not to.
Yes. There are moments you would need phones to capture the fun time and even some serious moments with each other.
This will serve as a future reference of how you all came together to have such gatherings. At least setting boundaries should be an ideal way here. Thank you for your time.
I prefer banning phones lol but I like the idea of setting boundaries, as we all are grown ups and know what should we do and when, while having a dinner with family or having any discussion, mobile phones should be on silent mode just like in your case when you all meet up in Christmas and New year eve, mobile phone should only be used for pictures because if you try to give a single minute to cell phone, you are going to spoil hours in it and you will not notice the same while others will be annoyed having no attention of yours in the family.
Exactly, Rose. One way to set boundaries is by putting your phones on silent so it doesn't distract you. You know, there would be time an important or urgent information would pop up and you wouldn't want to miss that. We are adults and can definitely adhere to this and set boundaries on our phone usage. It's all about respecting each other during family time.
thats right and I totally agree
We must seek balance between our interpersonal relationships and technology in our lives
Yes. Balance is necessary. Thank you so much ✌️
Banning phone would have been nice but one can also miss opportunity that might show up in digital world during such period.
So being intentional is certainly a way to go, as we limit our phone time.
Exactly, Vick. We should be intentional about this. We can't simply go with the option of banning phones which wouldn't go well in the long run because of missed opportunities. So, we ought to be intentional and strike a balance for when we should take our phones and focus attentively to meetings in the family.
It is seriously difficult, I remember when I had to stay away from my phone because the oldies warn me to stay away from it because I was just discharged from the hospital, but it's so hard that I still jad to sneak away, lol. But really, we should also learn when not 5p use a phone especially if you are in one family gathering. You are all amazing for keeping your phone away whenever you're home. That's b
a good practice, and it is just proof that you give more values when it comes to family matters.
Hahaha 😆 it's difficult to stay away from phones but when we value family's time, we would be able to do away even for some hours till we are done. We just have to respect that moment for bonds to be created.
Hmmm, to be honest ehn, it won't be easy to ban phones during family time totally but for a few hours will do.
Like you said, the phones are used to take pictures and memorable shots of the happy moments together.
Sometimes having a phone around can help in times of danger and emergency. Just like a family that went out to camp for two days but got ambushed. They were saved by their little kid's small Java phone.
Balance is needed in these things
You can imagine in such scenario. Banning phones isn't the way but making balance is. Phone would still be allowed but it is after the important issues have been addressed and bond have been created.
Exactly
We cannot turn blind eyes to the value and importance of phones during family gatherings what we should indeed put in place is boundaries.
I belong phones should not actually be banned. The issue is not the phone but the people making use of the phone.
We turn our phones off during family time, but do not banish them. Prior to the internet and such, curiosities raised at the dining table could require getting an encyclopedia or dictionary. Those sources come through our phones now, and are used in a similar manner. Beyond that, the gadgets remain separate from our precious time together.
Outright ban of the use of phones during family time is a no no as there are situations where it will be needed. So the best is to set limits on its use.
#dreemerforlife
As I’m reading I’m just laughing because they take my phone sometimes when I’m eating and when it happens I will just act angry like the last born that I am and not eat again🤣
#dreemerforlife
Well my personal opinion may not be to ban it but rather advice them on the negative effects of using phones at the wrong time....👌
The family time is a special one, and nothing should stand as a barrier to it.
#dreemerforlife.