SMARTPHONES gained blanket popularity in our part of the world from 2010 onwards. Until then, most people would use cellphones to remain in touch with each other. But ever since the smartphones arrived on the scene, the need has been replaced with leisure. With so many features on offer, it is nearly impossible to take off one’s eyes for even a minute from the smartphone.

Such vast usage reminds one of the drug addicts as to how they struggle to perform even basic functions without drugs. It is not uncommon for people to take their mobile phones with them to their beds and even restrooms. That is not to say that smartphones are bad. They have also made our lives easier, but there should be a limit to how much control they exercise over our daily lives.

It is annoying when you try to talk to someone and they are busy watching a video or scrolling through their social media feed on their smartphones. It is our collective responsibility to act more like humans than machines controlled by a smart gadget.

Fida Basheer
Khuzdar

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2021