Wireless teens
Wow, it's a bitchy day for the Angry Fat Man...
I just saw what had to be like a 12 year old driving an Audi TT and talking on his wireless phone. I'm sure he was out for open lunch, and I'm sure he looked young because I'm getting older....but damn. He almost jumped out into the middle of the intersection because he was too busy talking to his friend in the car and on the phone. Here's the rant...deep breath:
Why do teenagers really need wireless phones? I mean, I hate to bite the hand that feeds me, or at least the company that pays my bills, but damn. It's bad enough that teens have cars like this little punk did, but he also has a wireless? What the hell does he have to stay in touch with somebody 24/7 for? You think when his parents call, he actually answers? I'm sure that's what they think will happen. I did not have a wireless phone during high school or college. Not like I wanted to carry a bagphone during high school or a brick during college, and I know they are small enough to slip in a pocket, but why? If you're supposed to be in school for at least 8 hours a day, and then either working or at home a few hours a night, then what is there left over? The weekends? The time in between? And the problem is that the parents are paying for it...in fact companies know this and market to teenagers and their parents about minutes sharing plans and such. How sad.
Another issue, this kid's driving, seemed to be hampered by talking on the phone. I remember how tough it was for some of my friends to watch the road with us in the car, let alone talking on a phone at the same time.
I just really think it's sad that the parents are paying for this monthly stuff over and above the food and the clothing and sometimes the schooling. When did it become a need instead of a want? Parents think to themselves that their kid can call in case of an emergency, I hate to tell you, you just bought the kid a fast new car, if it's a real emergency, they won't be able to call much of anyone, sad but true. And what is an emergency to these kids? I ran out of money? I'm not going to be home until late? When I was a teen I had to go to a friends house to call home and tell them I wouldn't be home early...or you know, I'd actually plan ahead. I think these attitudes merely lead to lessened responsibility on the part of parent and child.
Anyway, clearly there are some kids that don't need more distraction when driving, and all his parents were doing, was setting him up for a bad fall.