.jpeg)
最後に↓をポチっとお願いします♪
にほんブログ村
Hello, this is President Yasui. I run a one-man company that primarily conducts inspections of high-pressure gas facilities.
I'm currently writing this blog in the study tucked away at the back of our bedroom, and let me tell you—it’s hot.
Because the sound of my typing annoys the family, I close the door, and by the time I’m done, I’m drenched in sweat and have to change my shirt. (lol)
I’ve given my son, who is in his second year of junior high school, a smartphone.
The reason is practical—it’s to keep in touch when he’s away from home for things like swimming meets or cram school excursions with friends and family.
However, even when I send a LINE message, I get no reply. When he goes out with friends to the shopping mall, I call him at the agreed time—and he doesn’t pick up.
Well, I suppose that’s pretty normal behavior for a teenage boy, so I’ve given him a lot of freedom.
To be fair, he’s not an adult yet, and you can’t expect him to have the same level of communication skills or responsibility.
But recently, something has felt off.
For instance, when I go into his room in the morning to say "good morning," about nine times out of ten, he’s on his phone.
I assumed he was gaming or something, but this morning I talked with my wife, and our daughter happened to be there too.
She chimed in, "Big brother used to be studying during that time, but now he just watches videos."
If that’s true, then it’s a concern. I felt I needed to talk to him directly and ask what he’s actually doing on his phone.
So, I brought it up with him that evening.
Turns out, it was true—he’d been watching videos.
He explained he’s been into piano practice lately, so he watches related videos, and also game content.
I shared my concerns—how I’ve noticed him on his phone every morning—and reminded him of why he was given the phone in the first place:
It was primarily meant as a tool for communication, not entertainment.
I made it clear that while I had noticed his usage, I’ve given him the freedom to use it, because I trust him.
And finally, I said:
"Freedom comes with responsibility. I’m letting you use the phone freely because I trust you. But if you misuse that freedom, I’ll have to impose restrictions—and I’d rather not have to do that."
Adults use smartphones freely too, of course, but the same principle applies.
Some workplaces don’t allow personal smartphone use during work hours.
At convenience stores, I sometimes see staff using their phones when there are no customers.
Maybe that’s allowed, but if they’re too distracted to notice a customer approaching the register, then rules like keeping phones in lockers may have to be enforced.
I may be giving my child the freedom to use his phone, but with that comes my own responsibility to watch over him and stay involved.
It's a mutual responsibility.
Apps and the internet are designed to cleverly steal our time.
Both kids and adults today have to consciously protect and manage their own time.
Once my son is older, he’ll be able to use his phone as freely as he likes.
But right now, in this crucial stage of life, I don’t want his precious time being stolen by a smartphone.
If that means he resents me for a while, I’m okay with that.
Thankfully, he seemed to understand and listened calmly.
And more than that, I felt like deep down he probably knew it wasn’t a good habit.
Helping someone realize something through conversation—that’s a valuable life skill, even in the adult world.
If we want our kids to grow up free, we as parents have to shoulder the responsibility of guiding them.
Parenting is tough, isn’t it?
But honestly, it’s in these moments that I realize we, the parents, are also being raised as human beings.
And for that, I’m grateful.
Thanks for reading all the way through.
See you next time!
(And if you don’t mind, please click the link below!)
[To the Management Blog on Nihon Blog Village]
