Comment by hollerith
12 days ago
The damage done to kids by smartphones greatly exceeds the safety benefits you describe IMHO. Your use of hyperbolic language like "unhinged" suggests you're addicted to your smartphone or at least you're in denial about the damage it did to you.
In the winter it’s common for kids to walk home from school after dark, if there are after-school activities. I did that many times as a kid and it was scary. I would have felt a lot better with a smartphone.
I’m a grown adult and I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking around London in the dark without a smartphone.
Taking a phone away from an 11 year old before they walk back home in the dark is unhinged, it’s not hyperbolic to say that or a sign of addiction.
>I’m a grown adult and I wouldn’t feel comfortable walking around London in the dark without a smartphone.
Can we talk about this for a minute? Suppose a big guy or a group of guys see you walking in London in the dark and decide to do you violence. What is the main way a smartphone can help you in your opinion? By giving you a chance to get photos of them? By helping you get emergency medical help after they beat you up?
I'm genuinely curious, not just trying to score points.
Is there some danger other than violence from strangers that you think the smartphone will help you with?