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"Play with me, not your cell phones!"
"Now it's our turn, switch on flight mode!"
Just two of the slogans that rang loud and clear at one of the most unique protests you'll probably ever hear about.
This September, parents and children took to the streets of Hamburg, Germany in protest of what most regards as another limb: smartphones.
It was put into motion by a 7-year-old child, Emil Rustige, who had had just about enough of being ignored in the name of a digital device.
"Emil is blaming me for using my phone. The moment he is around and communicating with me I am absent and doing something totally different," explained Martin Rustige, Emil's father who assisted his son with organising the legal protest after the boy told his father how ignored he felt.
Ever had an accident while distracted by your smartphone? Ever realised your child is trying to open up to you but you're too engrossed to listen? Tell us about the incident by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we could publish your story. Anonymous contributions are welcome.
Witnessing his aunt in political action months earlier had inspired Emil to try his hand at putting together a march of his own, and with the help of his parents, promoted the protest online.
The family quickly found supporters, with just over 400 people expressing interest in joining the march online, and 150 parents and children attending on the day, placards and all.
"We are here, we are raising our voices because you're always staring at your phones!"
"I hope that after the demonstration people will spend less time on their mobile phones," announced the little revolutionary over speakerphone.
Given what we know about how detrimental the overuse of smartphones really is, especially among parents, we'd say the little boy has hit the nail right on the head.
Ever had an accident while distracted by your smartphone? Ever realised your child is trying to open up to you but you're too engrossed to listen? Tell us about the incident by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we could publish your story. Anonymous contributions are welcome.
Read more:
- This is how Iran is tackling smartphone addiction in children
- Is your tot addicted to your smartphone?
- No more smartphones at bedtime! Vamping and why teens are spending more time online than they do sleeping
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