AIBU to think mobile phones are NOT a necessity?

[Hypergear]

Inspired by the thread regarding schools confiscating then.
So many people think they NEED a mobile phone now, and view it as a necessity and not a luxury (which I think it is). Yes they're great in many ways and can make life a lot easier but I just can't get my head around people who genuinely think they could not go about day to day life without. My DM for example, thinks there is no way in this day and age it's possible to live without one, this actually makes me lol as she never used one at all until around 18 months ago!

AIBU?

Butchyrestingface gave a good example of them being essential, not just convenient.

I'm not arguing that they are essential in every situation, but I think that's a good example of how they can be.

I often get phone calls from ds's special school during the day. Some of those mean having to go to school straight away. Unless I am meant to sit at home all day I need a mobile phone to be in contact.
Saying some people manage without is irrelevant because some people don't have the same responsibilities.

I've dialled 999 on my mobile to get an ambulance to save a 3 year olds life.

I've used Google maps to prevent myself from getting very lost in the countryside.

I've had my daughter with SEN call me from her school after she had become very distressed. I was able to make sure she had the help she needed to cope.

Mostly I don't need my phone. It's handy. I like to play on the internet. It makes my life easier.

On those occasions above though (especially the 999 call) I really needed my phone.

I think as happens a lot on mumsnet there is an assumption that your lifestyle OP is the same as everyone elses. I work heavily through my work smartphone. It uploads documents that I cannot do on my laptop (and no the office does not have a scanner ) I have to record learners which I can only do on my phone so yes it's absolutely essential for work. My personal phone controls all my banking , my Fitbit and my personal emails. I'm rarely in one place for every long so frankly without a phone I would not be able to complete 80% of my daily tasks.

Is it essential to my ability to breathe and exist. No of course it's not, but without my phones I could not complete my job , would be uncontactable , it would severely affect my ability to manage my money .

As I found out in sainsburys when the bank had randomly transferred money , it was outside of banking hours so I needed to access my phone to transfer it back which in a fit of reducing pointless phone use I had left at home. Actually you be fair it wasnt essential but I really bloody wanted that mozzarella

I lost mine and couldn't remember passwords to online banking, or anything else. It was a ballache

AutumnRose1 No, I have a mobile phone - I've had one since 2002.

I'm arguing really because I find it annoying when people don't seem to know the difference between something being 'convenient' and something being 'necessary'.

In your example, let's say your phone unexpectedly died on you so your mother had no option but to try the main switchboard - would your colleagues really begrudge having to find you in a genuine emergency? I would hope not. It would be worked round. Yes, it would be a lot less convenient and clearly anyone with any sense who was in a workplace that allowed it would use a mobile phone in those circumstances, but that doesn't make it a 'necessity'.

YABU

The latest wonder phone is not a necessity; a basic smartphone pretty much is. It is not a luxury.

I think it's individual. I am 20, at uni, and a carer for my parents. I NEED a mobile phone bc most of our work and all our assignments are online these days, on an app which is not fully compatible with PCs. I need my phone in case I'm out and about and one of my parents ends up in hospital. I need my phone in lectures and classes because often we do activities which require connecting with the server on our phones and uploading/drawing/typing, then pooling our ideas on the main board via our phones. The app for this is only on phones. I used to have a basic samsung, I had to upgrade because I was missing out and it was a pain to do it sharing someone else's phone.
Not to mention that it's useful having a phone while out and about on campus because then my friends/study mates can text me if they're all in the library studying together.
For me, a smartphone is an unfortunate necessity. I don't particularly enjoy using it, but it's necessary for my individual circumstances.

For personal use, I could probably do without it, but feel happier knowing my boys and wife can get hold of me no matter where I am.

I have a work mobile and yes, I do need that. I'm not based in an office and when not WFH I'm travelling and on client sites. Apart from being a phone for making calls, I use it to book/check in for flights, book and double check bookings for hotels, pay for parking, etc. The work one is pretty essential to make my work life easier.

I'm arguing really because I find it annoying when people don't seem to know the difference between something being 'convenient' and something being 'necessary'

I find it bizarre you are so bothered by what others do. And aren’t willing to give people enough agency to explain why you might, horror of horrors I know, be wrong.

Memory would your colleagues really begrudge having to find you in a genuine emergency? I would hope not.

only about 6 in a firm of around 1000 would know who I am, I'm on a contract.

I'm not replying to you any more, you are definitely just the kind who likes to argue. But I just thought I'd chuck that last one in in case you were posting from the 1950s.

There are still launderettes in existence, so clearly not everyone thinks a washing machine is essential.

Or not everyone can afford a washing machine, which isn't the same thing. The one in our town exists for the local businesses, but it's also useful if yours has broken down and you can't afford a replacement.

And aren’t willing to give people enough agency to explain why you might, horror of horrors I know, be wrong.

We are on a forum, of which I am not a moderator, therefore I have absolutely no power to prevent people explaining in as much length and detail as they choose, why I might, "horror of horrors", be wrong - even if I wanted to.

indeed. I can’t imagine being so sure of myself in the face of reasonable explanations.

Ah such arrogance

Fair enough, AutumnRose1. I'm not sure what you think the point of a forum is, especially a topic called 'AIBU', if not for people to argue different points of view, but each to their own.

For me it’s the difference between working and not.
My businesses are online based, so I need to have a quick and handy access to the internet most of the day. (For example this morning I had an enquiry) most of the time the quicker I reply, the more likely that appointment will be made. If I can’t reply because I’m walking the kids to school and don’t have a laptop on me, it could mean that appointment isn’t made, which brings down my earnings for that week.
It’s also a useful way to communicate. My ds has gone to visit his grandparents this weekend so we have been able to FaceTime to see what he’s up to, which is lovely.
When I was growing up there were 2 phone booths for public use in my town, now they’re both gone. There is no public phone booth anywhere where we live now, so if there was an issue, how would my children contact me?
Honestly, these days they are a necessity, especially for children who walk to school by themselves.

Disagree. Especially for those who are poor/er. Phones do literally everything now. It can eliminate the need for a landline, internet and a TV/laptop/computer/tablet if you can't afford them.

MarieQueenofScots You seem to credit me with powers I simply don't have.

Well I hardly use my mobile so could probably manage without it and I certainly don't regard it as a necessity.

Although they can be useful I sometimes think mobiles are one of the worst inventions. People glued to them wherever you go. I seem to spend my time dodging people who are texting, speaking on the phone or reading texts but not looking where they are going at all. Also people taking bloody selfies with them. I was going down the stairs of the bus and the stupid cow in front of me stopped to take a selfie!

Maybe if mobile phones were just phones and you could not use them to text or take photos it would be better.

I never use mine for internet. I use a laptop. I can't be doing with the stupid small screen of a phone

Nonsense. It's like saying electricity isn't necessary in this day and age. Yes you could manage without, but it would make life far more difficult.

You seem to credit me with powers I simply don't have

Thinking someone is rather arrogant isn’t crediting them with a positive.

I need my phone and do not consider it a luxury - no home phone, few phone boxes and no regular working base.

No, they aren't a necessity but hard to do without once you get used to them.
I often leave mine at home tbh, I can't be bothered being mithered whilst I'm out.
Family always complain and say they tried to call me.
Well wait until I get home like everyone used to do.

My iPhone has my banking app on it which I check daily so I can budget carefully and I used to pay my rent through that each month. I pay for my kids school meals on the parent pay app as both schools are now completely cashless. I don’t live near any of my family and we don’t have a landline so I use it to stay in touch- either by phone call, WhatsApp or SM. I book train tickets in advance online every other week. My email accounts are on my phone, my calendar, the app I use to stay in touch with my sons teachers (he gets school transport each day so I don’t get to see his teachers on pick ups and drop offs)...

I don’t have a laptop anymore so yeah I use my phone everyday. I’m kind of wtf that someone would think that in 2020, a mobile phone of any kind isn’t a necessity. I don’t claim UC but I’m fairly certain you need access to the internet to check up on your claim and what you’re getting paid.

You can't claim universal credit without a mobile number.