Cellphone use: Deal or no deal

Aradhika  Sharma

Dear Bani,

Happy Birthday! What a lucky girl you are! You just got an iPhone as a gift from me.  Am I not the greatest mom in the world? However, before you operate the phone, there’s a small contract that you must sign and adhere to, unless you want to be relieved of your new phone.

You’re receiving this gift because you’re a responsible, good girl and have performed well in your exams. But rules of usage must be set. 

Terms & Conditions

1. You will ALWAYS return texts from me and dad, especially when you are out, or we are travelling.

2. I will always have the password of your phone. Until you are old enough to buy your own.

3. You will ALWAYS answer calls when the phone flashes ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad’, even if I am calling you for the sixth time to remind you to wear your jacket.

4. Your phone has a balance of 500 rupees. Once it lapses, you are responsible for recharging it. You can save your pocket money or earn money by taking a tuition, running a chore, babysitting, giving me a head massage... No stealing allowed to recharge the phone. No begging either.

5. The phone stays at home when you go to school. (No negotiation on that, so don’t waste your breath.)

6. If the screen falls face downwards and smashes or falls into the toilet or a lake and drowns or gets pilfered, the repair and replacement are your responsibility. You can do the same as above to redeem your device. If it is stolen, tell us. (You’re not getting another one, though.) 

7. There are wonderful things to capture through the phone camera. Explore aspects of this fascinating earth through it. Don’t take the selfie obsession to the level of narcissism. (If you don’t know the meaning of ‘narcissism’ check it on the phone.) 

8. Use the messaging service to communicate messages and not forward ‘forwards’. Those videos, memes and cartoons can get intrusive. 

9. Please silence your phone in public places. Please do not talk on your mobile in places where other people are likely to be disturbed, like at the theatre or restaurants. Respect silence and privacy. 

10.Don’t get involved in conflicts with trolls. You’ll lose, in more ways that you can imagine. 

11.Don’t post anything on a public platform, social media or forum that is likely to embarrass you 10 years from now. Digital footprints, like cockroaches, never go away!

12.Absolutely no sharing intimate pictures or endearments with anyone, no matter how ‘special’. It’s terribly risky and could destroy your life at any stage. Remember the cockroaches in Rule 10.

13.The real ‘content’ is the world out there. Interact with people and nature — not just with the virtual world.

14.Understand that if you use technology well, it will give you leverage. If you misuse it, it will control you.

If you agree to the rules above, sign below and the phone is yours (though it belongs to me).

Welcome to the world of the mobile phone. Happy birthday!