Put Down Your Phones!

[tony609]

working in the mall I see people on their phones all day long. They do not pay attention to their children. They allow their children to open merchandise, put merchandise in their mouths, play with merchandise all over the floor like there at home in their play room, remove price tags and leave stuff where it doesn't belong and then leave without picking anything up, or buying what they have damaged. It happened daily.

I also see parents/grand parents/aunts or uncles WHATEVER....standing on their phones at the entrance or outside the store while letting kids "shop" , you ask them to come in and be with the children and then all of a sudden they just need to go, it's not important enough to come in and be with your child.

I also see lost kids, all the time, the person that's suppose to watching them is on their phone and didn't see the kids walk off. I watched it the other day. A family was in the store the mom was on FB on her smart phone, I could see the app, she was leaning against our wall. she had 3 kids with her. She let one out of the stroller upon entering our store, the other 2 walked in. The kids "tore up" our store, we kept trying to assist her and she was dismissing us on all accounts. the little one that entered in a stroller walked out the door and was headed across the way to another store. The older kids (about 10 and 8 I would guess) weren't watching the little one either. I watched the mom, it went unnoticed, I saw the kid walk across the mall and enter the other store. I had an associate of mine go tell the mom her kid left, the mom looked and yelled at the oldest son to go get his brother.

This scenario happens all the time....cell phones, are great BUT to a point put the phone down and be present in your children's life.

 

[juliebug1997]

I agree with you that phones and other gadgets have become intrusive at times, but I'm not sure judging other parents' decisions is helpful. To each their own. I know I have enough to worry about with myself and my own family, never mind observing other families so closely.

ETA: I noticed you have an adult daughter...I also think it's very easy to judge younger families because you have the passage of time glossing over the parenting decisions you made when your children were younger.

I think I'll bite. If my parents realized that my brother or I were kicking/stomping on someone/being obnoxious, then they stopped us, even if they were reading the guide book (we are both in our 30s and this was before the technology explosion). I don't think technology is a good enough excuse to condone bad behavior.

 

[Delirium]

Agree 100% with the OP and am furious with Disney for forcing the problem even more with FP+.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

I plan on using my cell phone for pictures, wait times and the occasional update on Facebook next time I'm down there.

 

[darnheather]

I'm led to believe you've never used the disney app. "A minute or two"?

Not in the park, but so far I haven't had the horrific problems everyone else on this board moans about. And if it doesn't work in 2 minutes I'll put it back in my pocket. That's not what I'm there for.

 

[juliebug1997]

I plan on using my cell phone for pictures, wait times and the occasional update on Facebook next time I'm down there.

But are you going to do all those things while walking or ignoring your children? I think that was OP's original concern.

 

[maxiesmom]

Agree 100% with the OP and am furious with Disney for forcing the problem even more with FP+.

Disney isn't forcing anyone to use their cell phone. Please. We have never used any of the Disney apps in the parks, and don't plan on doing so.

That is like saying Disney is forcing you to eat a Dole Whip just by selling them. Blame the person who is ignoring their kids, because they would do so even if they didn't have a cell phone in their hand.

 

[CdnCarrie]

We were just in a restaurant on the way home from the lake. All 4 of us had electronics out and I'm sure people thought we were "that" family.
But we were just coming back from a week vacation in a small cabin and were on overload of "family time". I think we all just needed our own space by the drive home.

 

[Moodyzblu]

I use my iPhone constantly while in WDW. I'm a VLOGGER and had to appease my Youtube subscribers !

Anyway .. I get what you are saying .. but it's the times we live in .. plus Disney makes it so darn easy with WiFi all over the place !!

 

[ols386]

Paying attention to emails, apps, touring plans or texts = bad

Paying attention to other guests and what they do = good

amirite?

It's kind of hard not to notice it.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

I love my niece, love her dearly, but I want to take that darn phone and break it over her head sometimes. I don't get to spend a lot of time with her, between her living about an hour away, my work, her work, and now a new baby, so when I do I want her to be tuned into us not that phone. I took her to Disney pre-baby pre-pregnancy and told her I wanted to spend time with her, not spend time watching her text the whole time. She chimed right in and said she wasn't even planning on taking the phone to the parks with her, and she didn't, good for her. Once we got back to the room it was a whole different story, which is O.K. To me it just seems like wasted time being in Disney with your eyes on a phone, or your kids at one with the ipad, kids aren't going to stay kids for long. To each his own. I would be taking pictures, eating ice cream, talking about what we've done, what we plan on doing, what characters we're going to see next, etc.... Whatever.

 

[Kristine316]

This is the world we live in today.. nothing we can do about it.

If people want to live through a screen and be on their phones every waking moment.. whatever.

I remember days when phones were either in a booth or in a building.. or if you were rich enough to own a mobile phone it was the size of a loaf of bread so people didn't carry them.

We could have a long debate about whether this is good for us as a civilization or if all of this technology is destroying our souls but, that really isn't suited for a Disney forum in my opinion.

Where I do have an issue with it, is when it affects me personally.. when someone's addiction to their devices starts to infringe on my rights to enjoy a dinner, a movie, a vacation because they simply can't put down their mobile unit.
Great example... a movie theater and someone can't just watch the movie they paid $15 for, they have to sit and text.. and now they aren't just in their own little world they are affecting those around them and lessening others enjoyment... that is when I have a big issue with it.

OR.. on a dark ride... if you are trying to immerse yourself in all that is a Disney vacation, it is really a buzz kill to have the person in front of you record the ride.. or text all through the ride. If they would rather be on their phones after spending thousands on a Disney vacation.. that is their business but, when it starts to affect my enjoyment after I spent thousands that is where the line needs to be drawn.

If a family is just sitting quietly during dinner on their phones, I have to admit that doesn't bother me at all. Ok.. so I sound awful but, if it is not affecting me I am more than likely not even paying attention.

 

[inkedupmomma]

seems like you saw people playing catch up when they had a down moment, like bus time, line waiting, and dinner. I wouldn't judge when you have no clue what work demands they have, or if they are just backing their pics up, or making more room for pics and videos, etc.... I use my phone quite a bit at WDW , as does my 12 yo dd who makes awesome movies with her phone for us. Not everyone on their phone should be assumed checked out, a neglectful parent or bratty kid. Some of us are just passionate about our pictures and creativity, which actually bonds my family. Not to mention I spent a good amount of time using Disneys mobile app on our past trip, which they are pushing even more now, so chances are you'll see a great deal more of it, with frustration attached I'm sure!

 

[kmb584]

As a Mom, I agree 100%!

In April I was shocked by the sheer amount of parents that I saw more engrossed with their smartphones than their children. It's sad but it's what the world is this day in age. Every little thing that one could possibly need is now at the ready via a touchscreen. Nice? You bet. Necessary? Nope.

Don't get me wrong - I do love all of my "i" gadgets - but firmly believe that there's a place and time for them. When we're on vacation I'll bring out the iPhone to check wait times or log on to MDE or answer a call that's important. If the queue we're in is LONG (45+) I'll often let DD entertain herself with a game. Voicemail and e-mails are checked at the end of the night.

I do the same at home. Life is too short and unpredictable to pay more attention to an electronic than a child. (As I type this DD is napping. Once she wakes up, the computer gets put to "sleep" until she goes to bed.)

 

[absolut_mandy]

We were at Disneyland this February and it was staggering the amount of cellphones and various other iPods being used in line. We were in line for Radiator Springs Racers for 60 minutes and a family of 6 behind us didn't speak once (this included a 4 year old!) I am taking 3 kiddos to WDW this September and they asked if they can bring their ipod touch and i refused. I love talking to them in line and listening to their stories. What a way to miss out on your kids lives if you have your nose in a phone! Just my 2 cents!

Mandy

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Wow, the op could be describing my family. My DH doesn't have the luxury of a non working vacation. He will use his cell phone and conduct business while we go here and there. However, he doesn't spend the entire time on the phone. He might say to the kids, "hey, I have some work I'm going to do in line at the next ride." My kids don't mind and they do get a lot of attention from him on vacation. Also, my family plays Catan on the iphone, and if someone only watches for a few moments at a time he/she might think we are all on the phone not interacting.

 

[cobright]

What's the point of a family vacation where the family doesn't interact with each other? Maybe it's time for the parents to put away their electronics and start reconnecting with their families and pay attention to their children, not their phones.

I'll defend the indefensible just a little bit.

You see... Er... You saw brief moments from many families vacation. In particular, you saw those brief moments that stand out because something upsetting is happening. You have to walk a mile in their shoes before you judge them, not just the few.moments in line.

What happens is ... Sometimes the only way I can take the kids to disney world for 8 days is if on two of them.I am available to clients to answer phone calls about the installation my company performed for them. If shushing my kiddos for 10 - 30 min a day two days out of 8 makes me a bad parent, so be it.

 

[bizeemom4]

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on this one...from a non- "mind your own business" situation.

I am 29, my brother is 28, and we went with my parents back in October. I can't tell you how many times we were sitting down at dinner, or waiting in line, or waiting for the parade/fireworks and all THREE of my family members had their cell phones out. My dad keeps his phone with him at all times because he needs to be reachable for his job...that's fine and I understand.

I certainly had my cell phone WITH me the entire time...but I was the only one not playing with my phone in these situations and I found myself wondering what happened to TALKING to one another? My parents and brother live in another state so we don't get together more than a couple times a year...why is it so hard for them to just spend time BEING with me and enjoying the company?

The worst part is that even my dad who needs to be reachable for his job was not checking emails or responding to work calls during these times. He, my mom, and my brother were: checking facebook, looking at sports scores, browsing news feeds, checking fan sites for various things, etc. WTH? Glad to know where I rank in the grand scheme of things...

Seriously...I don't think it's their INTENTION to ignore me or make me feel this way...it's just the way people live their lives now. Doesn't mean it's any less hurtful to me. regardless of what their intentions are, when they act this way.

I am very glad that smart phones were not around when I was a little kid...I feel like it would have been terrible to grow up feeling this way. Maybe kids don't notice or feel this way because they are part of this whole environment where this behavior is normal. But I can't help but FEEL they (both parents and kids) are missing out on some great things and some great family memories and experiences by being SO connected all the time to things via their cell phones.

Did you text them and ask them to put the phones down and pay attention to you? Hahaha

 

[cobright]

Also... Let's be perfectly honest here. I've known my kids darn near their whole life. There's not much more to talk about.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Also... Let's be perfectly honest here. I've known my kids darn near their whole life. There's not much more to talk about.

This made me laugh !