The BlackBerry Orphans

theodp writes "The WSJ reports that the growing use of email gadgets is spawning a generation of resentful children. In addition to feeling neglected, kids fear BlackBerrys and Treos can put their lives in jeopardy as Mom and Dad type away while driving." From the article: "Like teenagers sneaking cigarettes behind school, parents are secretly rebelling against the rules. The children of one New Jersey executive mandate that their mom ignore her mobile email from dinnertime until their bedtime. To get around their dictates, the mother hides the gadget in the bathroom, where she makes frequent trips before, during and after dinner. The kids 'think I have a small bladder,' she says. She declined to be named because she's afraid her 12- and 13-year-old children might discover her secret."

Comments

Quick

[Bryansix]

Quick, someone find this woman and rat her out to her children!

Solution? World Of Warcraft.

[Iriestx]

She should just pick up a couple copies of WoW for the kiddies. She'd never have to deal with their snotty demands of family time ever again... let alone see them outside of their rooms.

My Strategy Exactly

[TrailerTrash]

I use the CrackBerry in the bathroom, or when I need to run downstairs to get a soda, or go out to the garage to "get something". I have hit the maximum field limit on emails while driving.

I have, though, found that typing, turning a corner, and shifting (I have a manual transmission, for the youngsters who don't know what that means) all at the same time is difficult. Not impossible, but difficult.

When we visit the inlaws I hide in the guest bedroom to use the crack.

I can stop anytime.

I do NOT have a problem.

Re:That's why they call it the Crackberry.

[__aaclcg7560]

The 1950's style orphanages will be taking the country by storm as parents ditch their kids to the government as they become addicted to their bathroom Blackberry.

Re:An open comment to Ross Singletary.

[John.P.Jones]

The only email that might be worth reading en route is one that has a substantial relationship to a literal issue of imminent life-or-death. But its not worth checking to see if an email might be in that category en route, unless you are nearly certain that you wouldn't get any other email coming in at the time. Ah that is exactly why we need an 'substantial relationship to a literal issue of imminent life-or-death' filter, like a spam filter except...

Oh, nevermind.

I don't like using the Blackberry while driving

[MillenneumMan]

...because it diverts too much attention away from my Nintendo DS

Re:Solution? World Of Warcraft.

[grassy_knoll]

She should just pick up a couple copies of WoW for the kiddies. She'd never have to deal with their snotty demands of family time ever again... let alone see them outside of their rooms.

Two words:
"MOM!! BATHROOM!!!"

(shudder)

PS:
YouTube Link if you havent seen that South Park episode

Solution: smash it

[hikerhat]

I suppose kids aren't reading this, but if you are, smash your parent's blackberry. Blackberries are expensive. They might get another one, but after you smash three or four, they won't get more. If their blackberries are issued by their employer, your parent will be fired after you smash two or three. Again, problem solved. Don't be afraid. Your parent my yell at you, make scary faces and noises, and send you to your room. But that's attention, and any attention is better than none. And they'll get over it an a day or two and love you again, without a blackberry.

Re:Can't hide

[14erCleaner]

She declined to be named because she's afraid her 12- and 13-year-old children might discover her secret.

Apparently her secret is that she has a large bladder?

Re:What is it about BlackBerrys?

[value_added]

I personally love to get away from my email at any cost.

And I'd like to
get away away
these people
altogether. Don't
know which is
worse, reading
emailfrom Exchange
users, or reading
email from
people using
these devices.

Re:That's why they call it the Crackberry.

[EatHam]

And a few getaways that will forcibly remove you from your technology.

Yeah, they're called "the middle of nowhere" and they are not at all expensive. I try to go there at least a couple of times a year. They are fantastic.

Re:That's why they call it the Crackberry.

[stunt_penguin]

Could be worse, she could be sitting posting on /.

Re:My God!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

What is wrong with kids these days??? Seems like there are only two kinds: the ones that think their parents shit money out their ass and the ones that go to their schools to do their target practice! Kids like these are no better than drug addicted kids who deal meth in their bedrooms with their 3month old sister playing at their feet. Put the guns down, talk with your parents, or get a job and get the hell outta my house.

Re:Parents

[Tim Browse]

If an important client gets upset you could lose business deals and contracts worth millions of dollars.

"What? Who? IBM? DOS? Tell them I'm out with my son! We can talk tomorrow."