What Happened to Manners…
By Omaira Martínez Cardona – Colombian Journalist
Recently, what I thought could be a moment of family bonding left me stunned. In the living room, six adults and two children—who appeared to be gathering in front of the TV to watch a children’s movie—bowed their heads and fixed their eyes on their respective screens. The adults were on their phones, and the kids on their tablets, until the movie ended without anyone noticing.
What a pathetic scene, I thought, as I nostalgically recalled my childhood, with less addictive technology and more opportunities to share the day’s stories from work and school.
Those were times when moments seemed to pass slowly, and every chance for connection was cherished. Now, the dynamics have changed—electronic devices are the most important member of the family. Few daily spaces remain free of screens.
In the past, courtesy, etiquette, and good manners were the norm. Now, the first to take a seat at the dinner table is the device, and it’s become routine for everyone to focus on their screens while eating.
“Mommy, why can’t I watch my tablet if Daddy and you are on your phones?” a disappointed 4-year-old girl asked between sobs.
Another scene that repeats itself with full acceptance in today’s daily life. The tantrums of the past—when children cried and screamed because they weren’t given candy or ice cream—have been replaced by protests over restrictions on phone or tablet use in public spaces or shared moments.
While today’s children are growing up in a digital world they must navigate, their dependence on it should also be limited.
It’s important to reclaim the value of good manners and courtesy in spaces meant for bonding, conversation, and entertainment. As I’ve often said, this isn’t about stigmatizing or rejecting technology, the internet, or social media, but about using them rationally—so they’re appropriate, productive, and effective without creating addiction or dependence.
The children of the past—who are now adults—have more skills to survive without relying on technology, while new generations will depend on it entirely.
In Florida, a law recently took effect establishing a pilot program in six school districts to test a ban on cellphone use in high schools during school hours. The goal is to foster a better learning environment and encourage greater social interaction among students.
Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and West Virginia are other states that have already passed laws limiting access to mobile devices in schools.
It would be worthwhile to bring back good manners at home, too, by restricting mobile device use in family spaces to restore habits like conversation, laughter, sharing experiences, lessons, and emotions.
Children mirror the example they see in their parents. There’s hope that future children will be more human and less robotic if limits on technology dependence are set at home.
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