The essence of humanity is love and one major way of exhibiting this is through the family. Family as believed is the smallest unit of a society. One of the beauty of the family is the love shared among the members and the more reason the saying that: "Blood is thicker than water". Family time i.e. moments spent together as a family is one of the most interesting part of family life. This varies from family to family depending on many factors such as upbringing, value placed on it, availability of the family members, environment and so on.
Personally, based on my upbringing, family time for me and my family is usually at night either while feasting, watching favourite T.V. program, listening to a radio program or even telling stories/histories by my parents. Family time is something we always looks forward to and grateful for my parents that appreciate and place value for such. Nowadays, things are fast changing even as less importance/value is placed on family time. Also, with the advent of social media, many people often spends more quality time with the "unreal" virtual world through tge internet than the one spent with loved ones and immediate family.
One of the strongest impedement to family time is the use of phone. Phones are good and valuable assets to humanity but can be easily addicted to if not properly handled in its usage. I once heard of a story of a couple who went on a family date (after a long time of proposing to go for such) but ended up not enjoying it even as both are glued to their phones and hence, no hearty discussion or conversation. Use of phones should be discouraged during family time unless very necessary or an emergency case that requires an urgent attention.
Maintaining a good eye contact, rapt/undivided attention, relaxed not tensed atmosphere are parts of the ingredients for a good family time. Therefore, if one member of the family is been distracted or glued to his or her phone, it may affect the quality of such moments. Therefore, for effectiveness sake, i support the restriction on phone use during such moment no matter how short or long it is. I don't count this as infringement of right once it is an agreement between every member of the family done in mutual love and understanding.
If we consider the benefits of such moment of family time over individual's of pressing phone, one outweighs the other. Family time where they are to dance to a music played on the phone or watch movies together on the phone is a different thing entirely. But for one that involves quality conversation devoid of distractions, restriction on phone use may be considered. I believe such moments strengthens family coordial relationship and helps to bond well even more. We must endeavor to relate more with ourselves as a family than virtually with those unseen or unknown. Thanks so much for reading even as comments and contributions are welcomed.
This is my entry to @Hivelearners weekly featured contents, week 201 episode 02 on "PHONE BAN" 