Eating Together Despite Differences: “Children Shouldn’t Have Smartphones – It’s Similar to Tobacco in the ’60s and ’70s”
Aaran, 43, Winchester
Occupation: Works in executive recruitment
Voting record: He has previously supported Labour but recently switched to voting Liberal Democrat due to relocating to a Conservative stronghold. He has never cast a vote for the Conservative Party.
Amuse bouche: Aaran once resided in Malaysia and Indonesia for a period, experiencing a different culture but ultimately realizing how much he cherished the comforts of the UK—particularly the seamlessness of daily life, the established standards, and most importantly, the changing seasons.
Mashood, 51, East Hampshire
Occupation: CEO and founder of an internet broadband service provider.
Voting record: Once a fluctuating voter between Conservative and Liberal Democrat, he now feels disillusioned with both as the Conservatives have morphed into something different. Mashood does hold some affinity for certain Green policies and appreciates their representatives like Zack Polanski.
Amuse bouche: After moving to Dubai in 2005, envisioning it as the next Singapore or Hong Kong, Mashood returned to the UK in 2019, realizing that global aspirations can lead to unexpected decisions.
For starters
Mashood: Our common ground was revealed through our differing loyalties in football; he supports Manchester United and I support Arsenal, which broke the ice.
Aaran: We were strong competitors during the late 90s—the fiercest of rivals in a dynamic market—but not much competition has existed between us for over two decades.
Mashood: I enjoyed a pasta dish accompanied by a fresh caprese salad and shared some garlic bread as a starter.
Aaran: My selection was devilled prawns followed by seafood spaghetti, which was delicious.
The big beef
Aaran: I firmly believe that children should not have smartphones—it’s much like how society viewed tobacco in the past. We only understood how harmful it was retrospectively. Tech companies are well aware of the addictive nature of smartphones, and I view government intervention as a necessary step in this regard.
Mashood: My question is, why do parents give their children smartphones in the first place? They often argue it’s for safety, allowing them to track their kids, yet you shouldn’t tag children as if they were pets. Our society is safer than many believe, thanks to surveillance systems. The world appears hazardous largely due to parental perceptions rather than children’s feelings of safety. By seeking bans, parents seem to shift their own responsibilities to the government.
Aaran: He expressed skepticism about politicians intervening meaningfully, often believing their actions lack real purpose. Still, I would rather see some action than no action at all.
Mashood: Institutional bans on social media seem impractical. Even with the Online Safety Act, they have only addressed the few top pornographic providers. Following age verification rules, the use of VPNs surged as people sought to circumvent restrictions.
Sharing plate
Aaran: During our conversation, we tackled the perplexing landscape of taxation. It struck us that the burden lies disproportionately on individuals versus corporations. It’s disheartening to see a substantial portion of one’s income taxed while large corporations manage to dodge their responsibilities.
Mashood: Speaking of environmental taxes, we discussed the fact that while regular citizens pay surcharges for air travel, entities like oil companies appear to escape scrutiny. For environmental taxation to be effective, it should really target corporate offenders rather than hinder individual taxpayers.
For afters
Aaran: AI has significantly influenced various sectors, automating tasks like financial processing and credit control. These were typically opportunities for graduates seeking to enter the office workforce.
Mashood: AI has now become an inherent part of our world, shaped by Generation Z. These young individuals are adapting to this technology at a much quicker pace than their predecessors. Interestingly, my own children were responsible for developing an AI tool within my company, demonstrating how they see this as an avenue for opportunity rather than a looming threat.
Aaran: Conversely, I believe AI can serve as a democratizing force. As someone who excelled academically by leveraging my ability to read and synthesize information, I see how this technology can help others who may be hardworking but struggle with these skills naturally, leveling the playing field.
Mashood: Agreed, but the critical challenge remains how society and governments will collaborate to establish ethical standards around AI. While there’s a communal responsibility in this endeavor, individual accountability is equally important. For instance, a peculiar product launched last year, an AI-enabled teddy bear, raised questions about consumer choices and parenting practices. Why would anyone buy that?
Takeaways
Aaran: Overall, it was a pleasant and civilized dialogue.
Mashood: We left on excellent terms and even exchanged LinkedIn details.
Additional reporting: Kitty Drake
Aaran and Mashood dined at Cucina dei Sapori in Alton
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Jessica
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aucteraAffiliate Content Writer