Don’t text and drive. Driving and texting at the same time is a grave error for anyone to make, no matter the emergency behind the texting. This is not just an offense against cell phone ethics but to human life since you could kill someone, including yourself, when texting and driving.
Ethics is commonly defined as a system of moral principles. It pertains to the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or particular group/culture. And, yes, there is such a thing as cell phone ethics since cell phones have pretty much taken over the lives of millions of people in the Philippines and practically begun a new wave of norms and social habits.
Driving
Texting or talking on the cell phone while driving is one of the most recognized violations of cell phone ethics primarily for its obvious danger. In the Philippines, it is surprising to know that a law has not been passed to prohibit people from texting or talking on the phone while driving. More surprisingly, texting or talking on the phone while driving has not been a major cause of road accidents in the busy streets of Manila when compared to other countries.
However, because it has not killed you or anyone you know yet is hardly permission for you to think that you can text and drive. Don’t be surprised if texting/calling on your cell phone while driving will soon be prohibited by law in the Philippines.
Public places
Nobody wants to be disturbed, especially when in places that require silence. You shouldn’t use your cell phone in a church, hospital, library, school and movie house, or when a lecture is being given. The ringing of your phone and the alert tone of a text message received is not only annoying but also disrespectful. But not as disrespectful as when you pick up and begin talking on your phone. Texting is a bit less disrespectful, but make sure to place your phone on silent mode when in locations where silence is generally expected.
Philippine movie houses and places of worship are now actively prohibiting people from texting and making calls. People are in fact requested, if not required, to turn off their cell phones as they step into the establishment.
Silence
There is a reason why the cell phone is now a highly personalized gadget. It is intended to be used and enjoyed by just one person, you. This means you should keep your telephone conversations to yourself by not talking out-loud in public as you speak with someone on the phone. It can be very uncomfortable as people will hear you talking about personal matters. But talking loudly on the phone is not as annoying as putting your phone in speaker so that now people can hear what you and the person on the other line are talking about.
Silence is further disrupted by the fact that the cell phone is not just a cell phone anymore but also a radio and music player. A number of Filipinos have a tendency to show off their latest cell phone model by turning on the volume as they play music inside the bus, while on the mall or jogging in the park.
Texting
Again, texting is much better since it doesn’t make any sound except for the soft clicking on your keypad. There is, however, a whole new set of ethics when texting. First, don’t text while walking, especially in public places. Stop, stand still or sit down before you start pounding away on your keypad.
Second, don’t text when with people, especially when they are trying to talk to you. It is even worse when you begin texting when in a meeting or on a date.
And third, don’t text offensive messages or images. For some reason, pornography always finds its way into all forms of media, including texting. You shouldn’t contribute to it, especially if your friends or contacts are not the type to appreciate getting such material from you.