 The number of mobile users is climbing by the day, but do we really need them? Mr Phonexay Singdala, 21, a resident of Nakhounnoy village said: "I use a mobile phone because I want to be part of the trend that many teenagers are following these days. And I want to know how to use modern equipment so that when I go abroad foreigners won't look me down on. I want to show foreigners that my country also uses modern technology. In addition, I want to show my friends that I am rich and have money to buy a mobile. I used my own money to buy it, which I earned from my part-time job. I do not beg my parents to buy one for me as other teenagers do. As can be seen, Lao teenagers use mobile phones more than workers do, even though they are not really necessary. Some teenagers' parents don't want to buy one for them, but they do because they are afraid that their children will get mad at them. Unfortunately, they are afraid that their children will become drug addicts if they do not do as they wish. I think everybody wants to get a new mobile after they've been using it for a while but I think they should maximise its use as much as they can before getting another one. I don't deny that I want a new one but I have to consider whether or not I can afford it." Mr Somphone Sihavong, 21, a second year student in Architecture and Engineering faculty, National University of Laos said: "I don't know much about what other teenagers think about using mobile phones, but for me, I use a mobile phone because my parents want me to use it. They think it's necessary for me to contact them because I come to study in Vientiane, but my hometown is in the countryside. I think Lao teenagers currently follow fashions from other countries especially fashion in Japan, Korea and some English-speaking countries. In fact, mobile phones have both advantages and disadvantages for teenagers; particularly it is comfortable for people to communicate and contact eachother whilst being outside. In contrast, it will urge some of them, who can't afford it, to steal. I've never thought that having a mobile is cool, I think it's waste of money. However, I would like to suggest that if anybody wants to use mobile phones they have to wait until they can earn money by themselves, otherwise they and your family will be in trouble." Ms Nin, 18, from Vang Vieng village, Vientiane province said: "If I had a business, a mobile would be necessary for me but at the moment I do not have one. I do not think that using a mobile phone is essential for me. Whenever I need to call my parents I can use public phones. If my parents want to contact me, they can call to my friends' mobile who stays with me in a dormitory. It is cheaper and doesn't cause accidents as some teenagers use mobile phones especially at the same time as riding their motorbikes. Additionally, thieves always rob teenagers between 14 and 18 years old whilst they're riding. Mobiles also have an impact on their health especially causing brain cancers as well as fatigue. Most of my friends use it for talking with their lovers and friends to ask each other out in the evenings. On the other hand, they also use it to call their parents when they have no money. I notice that teenagers or students do not turn their phones off during classes or meetings, which can really annoy other people." Mr Somchin Chantavong, 21, from NamKieng village, Xaysettha district said: "A mobile phone is quite essential for me in terms of communicating because it is more convenient and faster than other equipment. Moreover, my house is in a remote area, so ordinary telephones are not available and comfortable for me. Sometimes, ordinary phones do not either reach remote areas. The main reason for a mobile phone is to keep in touch with my family. Another important point is that I want to let some of my neighbours, who do not have opportunity, to see modern equipment, to know and use it like me. Using mobiles is necessary for our daily lives especially for businessmen. However, if you can't afford it, do not harm your parents by begging for money to buy one. People shouldn't follow foreign fashions too much. I would like people to learn some good points of foreign fashions and lifestyles and not abandon our good traditions. Just be proud with what you have got." Ms Ko Aekasone, 26, a mobile trader in Saylom village said: "I think using mobiles the amount teenagers do is good if we use it in the right way. For example, parents can contact us when they do not know where their children are, so if they know where their children are, they will not worry about them much. I think using mobiles depends on their parents, not only children because if parents do not support them how can they have the money to buy it? As far as I can see, most of my customers are parents who come to buy mobile phones for their children. They say they buy it for them because they want to give it as a gift. For me, I don't follow what fashion or other friends do, as whenever I have problem friends can't help me." |
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