Speaker: Finn

One occasion when I wasn’t allowed to use my mobile phone was during a New Year’s family gathering at my grandmother’s house last year.

In my family, it’s pretty common for everyone to get distracted by their phones, especially the younger cousins. So before dinner started, my uncle jokingly announced that nobody was allowed to use their phones at the table. He even asked us to leave them in another room so we could actually spend time together.

At first, I honestly didn’t like the idea because I’m used to checking my phone every few minutes, even when there’s nothing important. I remember feeling slightly uncomfortable and wondering if I had received any messages or notifications. A few times, I instinctively reached for my pocket before realizing my phone wasn’t there.

However, after a while, I started enjoying the moment. Since nobody was distracted, we ended up having genuine conversations, sharing funny stories, and laughing a lot together. My grandmother talked about old family memories, and some of my cousins shared embarrassing school stories, which made the atmosphere really lively and enjoyable.

What surprised me most was how much more connected everyone felt without phones. Usually, family gatherings become quiet after some time because people start scrolling through social media, but that evening felt completely different. It reminded me that phones can sometimes stop us from fully appreciating the people around us.

Overall, although I felt uncomfortable at first, I eventually appreciated the experience because it helped me spend meaningful quality time with my family.

Speaker : Blondie

Oh, I remember this really well. A few months ago, my friends and I went to watch a very popular stand-up comedian performing at a theater downtown. I’d been excited about it for weeks because I love comedy shows, and I’m also the kind of person who likes taking photos and recording short clips to post later.

However, when we arrived at the venue, the staff told us it was a strictly device-free event. They asked everyone to place their phones inside these special locking pouches before entering the theater. We could keep the pouch with us, but we wouldn’t be able to open it until the show ended. Apparently, the comedian didn’t want people recording his new material and uploading it online.

To be honest, I felt a bit uncomfortable at first. I’m so used to checking my phone constantly that not having access to it felt strange. I even caught myself reaching into my pocket a few times out of habit. I was also slightly disappointed because my friends and I couldn’t take pictures together before the show started.

But once the performance began, I completely forgot about my phone. Since nobody was filming or scrolling through social media, everyone was fully present and focused on the show, and the atmosphere felt much more energetic and engaging. People were laughing nonstop, and it honestly felt nice to enjoy the moment without distractions.

Looking back, I think it was actually a really good experience because it made me realize how dependent I’ve become on my phone in daily life. Although I disliked the rule at first, by the end of the night, I actually appreciated it.