in my recent trip to Pakistan i am shocked to see everyone is holding a cell phone, and constantly messaging. their monthly cell phone expense is usually around $7K- and more.
they have to buy latest model since its a matter of their prestige.
they will never call you or ask anything but sending an eid greeting or some really bukwas sms joke they perform as a ritual.
and most of all making Gf/Bf and then discussing them in the groups of frnds is like an ibadat to them
ps. i have seen parents giving car to their 7 yr old kid. its not the kids fault, but its the parents who needs a serious phenti!
in my recent trip to Pakistan i am shocked to see everyone is holding a cell phone, and constantly messaging. their monthly cell phone expense is usually around $7K- and more......
agreed. but they said the same about Radio in 60s, cinema in 70s, TV in 80s, and Video games in 90s.
Its time for computers and cell phones to make an 'impact'. If they are not allowed to interact with opposite gender 'freely' which they see all the time on the TV, they are bound to find 'other ways'. They cannot stoop to the level of 'wasting' their time washing dishes, with laundry, caring for the lawn or cooking. They are not introduced to creative art forms. They do not find many sports arenas to 'waste their time' in. You've got to do something!
There have been crimes committed by youth to get a 'new mobile'.
But then, we (including me) are always pointing out the problems and not suggesting a solution!
With freedom comes responsibility, and thats the problem here, the element of responsibility is missing and not just in Pakistan but all over the world. Just recently there was a thread on GS about 'sexting' a disturbing and growing trend in the teens here in the US. In Pakistan maybe it stands out more because our expectations are higher from our own society, we like to stand on a higher moral ground back home.
Lets not shoot the messenger, the good here far outweighs the bad, as you mentioned good parenting is key. Our generation and previous generation have created and presented these new, exciting technologies to future generations, and it is our duty to properly explain and frequently underline the responsibilities that should accompany technology to avoid their abuse.
Arughh don't get me started. Its like cell phones have taken over the lives of the youth of Pak! I was there a few years back and all the young people who had cell phone were texting away. A cousin of mine, I suppose around 11 years old got a cell phone as her birthday present and she joined the bandwagon of her sister and the rest of the cousins. She was glued to her phone at all time, playing games, listening to songs, and texting away.
I'm not saying its wrong to text or be on the phone, but there should be a limit. Heck some of them pull all nighters texting away or even sleep with their phones. I could not understand the all nighters, is it cheap to text at night compared to the day?
I think it has alot to do with limited activties available for them. What is there to do? Cleaning is looked down upon, so many of the households have maasis coming and cleaning. Watching TV, listening to lovely dovely songs on the computer, what else? I used to see neighbors coming and chatting with each other or the neighborhood kids playing with each other, this time around I did not see much of that.
Zobia, $7k?! Gosh, that is a bit too much, no? They must be rich to afford such a phone bill. A car for a seven year old?! What in the world is he going to do with it? The child can't even reach the pedal yet.
texting at night is cheap maybe even free.. and the telecom companies even promote some packages that way! My cousins are texting all the time...and calling!!!
He has had telephonic relationships than i have socks!
