1. In your country, which places are not allowed people to use phones?
2. Do you think it is important to introduce new rules for using mobile phones?
3. Why do young and old people use mobile phones differently?
4. When should parents allow their children to have mobile phones?
5. Do you agree that the social rules in the past were stricter than those of today?
6. Is it quite prevalent that people are addicted to mobile phones?

Hospitals are another place where phone use may be limited, especially in certain treatment areas, because loud conversations can disturb patients and some devices may affect medical equipment.

Also, in cinemas, theatres, temples, and formal meetings, using a phone is considered rude because it can break the atmosphere and distract other people.

On top of that, drivers are not supposed to use phones while driving, since even a quick message can take their attention away from the road.

In the past, a phone was mainly used for calling or texting, but now it can be used for gaming, filming, shopping, studying, and scrolling through social media for hours.

Because of this, schools, workplaces, and public places need clearer rules to stop phones from getting in the way of learning, working, or communicating properly.

That said, rules should not be too extreme because mobile phones are also useful in many situations. For example, students may need them to contact parents after school, and workers may need them to handle urgent tasks or stay connected with clients.

Young people are more used to smartphones, so they often use them for entertainment, online learning, shopping, taking photos, and keeping in touch with friends through social media. For many of them, the phone is not just a tool; it is almost a part of their daily routine and even their personal identity.

Older people, on the other hand, usually use phones in a more practical way, such as calling family members, reading news, watching videos, or using banking apps when necessary.

Some older people may also feel less confident with new features, so they tend to stick to basic functions instead of exploring everything.

In simple terms, young people use phones for connection and lifestyle, while older people often use them for convenience and essential communication.

In many cases, this might be around secondary school, because children may need to contact their parents, check homework, or use learning apps.

However, giving a child a phone too early can be risky because they may spend too much time playing games, watching short videos, or getting exposed to unsuitable content.

A good solution is for parents to start with a basic phone or a phone with parental controls, so children can enjoy the benefits without having unlimited freedom.

In the past, young people were expected to obey older people, dress modestly, speak politely, and follow family or community expectations without asking too many questions.

For example, in many Vietnamese families, children were not encouraged to argue with parents, even when they had a different opinion, because that could be seen as disrespectful.

Nowadays, people have more freedom to express themselves, choose their lifestyle, and speak their mind, especially in cities.

However, I wouldn’t say today’s society has no rules; the rules have just changed and become more flexible.

Many people automatically check their phones when they wake up, when they are waiting for a lift, or even when they are eating with friends, so the habit has become almost second nature.

Social media apps, short videos, and online games are designed to keep people watching, which makes it very easy to lose track of time.

That said, I don’t think all frequent phone use should be called addiction, because many people genuinely need phones for work, study, or communication.