How Hong Kong teens feel about parents who are addicted to their smartphones

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We asked our readers if they wished their parents would spend less time on their phones. Here are some of our favourite answers

Charlotte Ames-Ettridge |
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Do our parents use social media more than us?

What’s cooking?

When I taught my mum how to watch TV shows on her phone, I pretty much lost her to the internet. Now she spends most of her time on her phone, even when she’s cooking. I don’t want her to end up having an accident because she’s too busy looking at her screen.

Suki Kwok, 16, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

Waiting game

My parents are always watching YouTube videos or sending messages, and we hardly ever talk. I’d like it if they put their phones down for just a little while and play board games with me.

Hannah Ho, 12, Maryknoll Fathers’ School

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It’s a deal!

“Put down your phone! Don’t play with your phone at the dinner table!” That is what my mum always says to me. That’s fair enough; my mum knows best. But then she picks up her phone to watch TV dramas. When I ask her to put her phone down, she says “I’m doing business”. I guess my mum knows best ...

Seth Suen, 19, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

A bad example

I wish my parents spent less time on their phones because parents should be setting their kids a good example. If parents spend all their time on their phones, their children are bound to do the same.

Natanakumar Mirnaali,13, True Light Girls College

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Double standards

I suppose we’re all guilty of using our phones too much, but adults like to pretend that it is only a problem among young people. My mother often scolds me for playing on my phone. I wish I could tell her not to impose rules on others that she doesn’t follow herself.

Doris Zhao, 18, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

An addiction

Ever since my parents got smartphones, they have become addicted to their gadgets. They don’t care about my school performance any more. Even when we’re eating dinner, they only pay attention to their phones. I really wish they would spend less time on their phones.

Kelly Chan Oi-wa, 13, Maryknoll Fathers’ School

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Lonely feeling

My parents use their smartphones for both work and leisure, and it feels like they have no time for me. Sometimes I feel kind of lonely or unloved.

Karen Ho Ka-man, 16 , Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Tong Secondary School

Distant relationship

Sometimes, when I spend time with my friends or family, it feels as if we may as well not be in the same room, because we aren’t really talking to one another. They are all looking down at their phones instead. I wish I could feel closer to them.

Kevin Huang, 16, Workers’ Children Secondary School

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We are all equally bad

It doesn’t really bother me when my parents spend all of their time on their phones, because I know that I usually do the same thing. I guess we’re all as bad as each other.

Kiwi Mao,15, S. K. H. Lam Kau Mow Secondary School

No worries

I don’t really think it’s an issue. I know that my parents are only trying to keep in touch with their friends and read the news. These things aren’t bad for them. In addition, my parents are mature, responsible adults and can decide for themselves how to spend their time. I don’t need to worry about them.

Cheung Wai-ho, 16, Fung Kai Liu Man Shek Ton Secondary School

For next week’s Top 10, tell us:

What’s your earliest childhood memory?

Send your answer, together with your name, age and school, to [email protected] with “Top 10: memory” in the subject field. Our favourite answers will appear in next week’s Top 10 page!

Edited by M. J. Premaratne

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