Sharing Your Smartphone
By habibti320
@habibti320 (925)
United States
December 25, 2012 11:56pm CST
Today involved a lot of car time with my family. My dad drove my mom, brother, and a total of 5 hours to visit family members. Since I have a smartphone, I was able to do some language practice, read a little bit of a book, and play a game, all while texting with the guy I am seeing and a few friends. My brother was jealous that my mom and I were entertained by our smartphones since his phone doesn't have anything "fun" on it. He was kinda annoyed that I wasn't sharing my phone, but I was kinda afraid that he'd start playing a game and then be able to read any incoming texts. I didn't mind him using the apps and being entertained, but I really didn't want him to invade my privacy.
Am I being too protective of my privacy? Do you let people use your smartphone while you are texting?
7 responses
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
26 Dec 12
We are entitled.to our own privacy. My kids often use my phone as well. So what I did was I installed hide my sms apps so that messages from certain people can be kept in a vault. You need a paaword to be able to read messages directed to the vault.
@habibti320 (925)
• United States
26 Dec 12
Hmm if this type of situation happens again I will try your solution. That sounds like a great idea for kids especially.
@habibti320 (925)
• United States
27 Dec 12
Hmmm so the name is "Hide My SMS Apps"? Sounds great! I love that it snaps a photo! lol
@cobalt20 (1318)
• Philippines
27 Dec 12
We really need to have privacy from your kids or even your relative. Sometimes, kids can understand the messages.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
26 Dec 12
If I'm texting someone that I'm seeing, I will absolutely NOT share my phone. No one needs to know what we talk about between us. Why couldn't your mom share HER phone with her son?
@habibti320 (925)
• United States
26 Dec 12
Haha well actually we both shared, but when I shared, I made sure it was a multi-person game so I would get to see it too. Maybe I am not nice! I just didn't want his name to appear and for them to ask "who is that?" because I don't like to tell my family who I am seeing unless it becomes serious.
My mom just got her phone upgraded recently and she is having a hard time figuring things out, so we were helping her learn how to use it.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
26 Dec 12
Well, that would explain a lot of things. I don't like to share, period. I've only loaned my phone to a very few, and I prefer to keep it within my sight. You weren't being cautious though.
I hope that your relationship continues to work for you!
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec 12
No I think you are perfectly within reason not to share your phone, it's a shame that he was jealous and annoyed and shows immaturity. I wouldn't let anyone share my phone, maybe because I am very very secretive, I have had to be, I've learnt to be over-protective and guarded about what I do. Anything my ex found out they would use against me, and boy did they have a memory like an elephant! I had to hide everything from my ex, and that is why I a very private person.
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
26 Dec 12
Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Well i can understand how your brother must have felt seeing u and your mother enjoying with your smartphone and i think even u should have asked your brother to participate with your mom so that he would not have felt left out during the journey. I know like every one u do not want your privacy to be invaded and i think there is nothing wrong in being too protective of your privacy. May be u could have given him your smartphone to play games for a while.
What say?
@habibti320 (925)
• United States
26 Dec 12
We all ended up sharing, but I just didn't want texts to come in while he was there. He is my older brother and will get protective of me if he sees a guy's name on a text.
We played some non-tech games too like 20 Questions.
@holyangels (121)
• United States
26 Dec 12
I don't mind sharing my smartphone to my brother. I know my brother, he doesn't go through the limitation. If I have a message, he would give back the phone to me
I just always remind him that to give the phone to me whenever there's incoming calls or text messages so I would know and those are important.
@sunshinesophie (794)
• China
26 Dec 12
To tell you the truth,I don't like anyone who use my phone when I am using it,either.Though nothing improtant the messages of my inbox are,I would't like to be spied on.It is really uncomfortable.
@habibti320 (925)
• United States
26 Dec 12
I am glad I'm not the only one! It's not a big deal, but it's just not nice when someone looks at your email or texts. If I have something to share, I will share it with them.
@ulan12rc (222)
• Qatar
26 Dec 12
To share your phone is okay but to invade your privacy that's another story. Privacy is very important to every individual in my own opinion so respect me and I'll respect you too.
For me it is not nice to touch my phone by somebody especially if I am having conversation with someone, I don't like anybody invading my privacy and that's the rule...my rule.
