Surely you don't carry your phone everywhere?

[SEmyarse]

Every time there's a discussion about civil liberties, for instance at the moment with ID cards, people always say, why are you worried they can track you by your phone anyway. But that implies that people are always carrying their phones.

I have a phone, I have to for work, and it's very useful outside work as well. I sometimes use it for navigation, and on certain instances I might take it with me if there's a chance I'll need to liaise with someone while out. Super helpful technology.

But surely people aren't taking it to the shops, or on the school run, or out for a walk in the countryside?

Although in 1995, there were still telephone boxes.

Agreed. My 85 year-old in laws are glued to their phones.

I'm late thirties and I leave mine behind whenever I can. Don't turn it on for days sometimes. If there is a digital ID card thing I will not participate and if it's mandatory I'll leave the country. It's a line in the sand for me.

I take my mobile phone everywhere

1. What about someone has an accident and you need to phone 999- I have what 3 words to be able to tell the emergency services where I am. Yes I think about this due to emergencies my family has had and coming across things as I am out and about
2. What about a family member trying to get hold of you because they have an accident or a seizure or anaphylactic reaction
3. Maybe use an app for a store card
4. Using as sat nav because the traffic is bad- you get yourself lost walking or anything else....

Clearly she does live in the modern world though, since she's alive at the same time as you. Doesn't have to do it the way you do it though. Omnipresent tech is not a good thing.

It's sad that people are so worried about all these dire things that might happen if they haven't got a phone at all times.

You think it's sad to be able to book train tickets and pay for things....? If someone said "I can't go anywhere without being surgically glued to TikTok" then fine, but now that so many things including booking systems, payment systems, school/work contact etc are all done via email or digitally, it's very easy for those things to be fairly central to your life!

Are you honestly that naive? Have you heard of Apple pay?

Yes I do. On a walk I might break my ankle and need assistance, I use it as a payment method, calculator, diary, notepad etc….why wouldn’t you take it everywhere?

You’re in the minority so maybe need to rethink your definition of “weird”

i understand if you don’t have a smart phone though and don’t use it the same way as the majority of us.

Your logic of carrying too much stuff doesn’t apply to me. I carry less as ALL my loyalty cards, bank cards, tickets/travel passes are on my phone so I don’t have to take my purse/bag out when I go to the shops.

On the school run, it’s a life line for some parents if another is running late and need an unexpected favour related to a child.

navigating on country walks is essential if you don’t know the area well or god forbid, you need to call for help.

My phone also shows me where I’ve parked my car - particularly useful in a new multi story car park!

No, I’m not worried that they might happen if I haven’t got my phone on me. They might happen whether I’ve got my phone on me or not. It’s often just easier to deal with them if I’ve got my phone on me. Why wouldn’t I want to make my life easier?

I have a medical condition for which treatment is managed via a smartphone. I have to be in Bluetooth range 24/7 or the monitoring stops. So yes, I take my phone everywhere with me.

So if you even popped next door you would take it.

People aren’t worried about these things. I’m never worried about having an accident or needing to call someone an ambulance etc but to have your phone with you would seem to be sensible in the unlikely event of something like that happening. It doesn’t mean that I’m in a state of panic about it the whole time.

I'm in my 60s and always take my phone with me when I leave the house.

My next door is 2 miles away, so yeah.

I couldn’t go anywhere without my phone. I don’t even bring cards with me as it’s all on my phone

What would be the benefit of not putting my phone in my pocket of if I popped next door?

I stopped carrying a handbag/purse, and just take my phone and keys wherever I go. My payment card and any loyalty cards are in my secure wallet, and I don’t need anything else.

My phone only leaves my hand if I’m cooking in which case it’s right next to me propped up or if I’m actively wiping on the toilet.

Well that's just daft.

I find it fascinating because I’ve never used my phone in that way.

I haven’t relied/contacted another parent because late picking up etc.. nor has anyone contacted me
I’m using a map rather my phone for walks - too worried about running out of power mid walk!!
And I just make a point if remembering where I park. Like I’ve always done.

Which shows we all use our phones for very different reasons. And there isn’t ONE way or THE way that make other people ‘weird’

My cards are in my phone so yes it goes everywhere

How are they contact8n* you? People who know me use my mobile -either a call or text.

Not locking the door when you go out is one thing and would invalidate any insurance. But do you lock the door when you’re in the house, say in bed? There are burglars who just go round trying doors to see who’s forgotten to lock up. wouldn’t want to wake up to that. Even in a nice quiet area, this can happen, our neighbour found someone sleeping in their car which they hadn’t locked.
I’ve carried my phone everywhere for years now and I’m late 60s. it counts my steps and flights climbed, walking steadiness etc which I check occasionally as I have to keep active. It’s also my memory these days with its notes app! I'm always making notes of things to check when I have time later on. And I always have something to read on kindle.
If you don’t want to be tracked, put it on airplane mode, not everything needs a signal.
Last time I was in a phone box several years ago it was unpleasant and smelled of urine.