Letter: ‘Put your phone down, Mom’

Those are the exact words I heard from the next room as the 7-year-old girl cried out to her mom as she lay in bed. The mom’s response was “You must be tired.” Yes, she was tired, but the real root of the problem is the mother’s phone usage. I have witnessed this girl and her sister call out a similar request too many times in the past. These two girls are craving their mother’s attention.

This mother and many other people today have a problem; they are addicted to their phones. Obviously it is not just phones, but other electronic devices like laptops, etc. While advancements in technology are critical in today’s world, the jury is still out on how children (and adults) will respond after being ignored by those around them with phones and laptops, etc.

It used to be a common site watching a new mother walking a baby and having a conversation with this child. Today, you are more likely to see that mother or caregiver on her cellphone. What are we teaching our children?

I can tell you this, if a parent is at a sporting event and the parent is watching their electronic device instead the child, the first thing to go is self-esteem.

We are smart enough to figure out what is more important in life, the children or our electronic devices. I choose children.

David Thom

San Carlos