I am a big fan of Coronation Street and was very pleased to visit the set recently and meet the cast. The soap has dealt with some significant issues in its recent storylines. Poor Jack has lost his foot to sepsis, Carla Connor has received an organ transplant and the sensitivity with which it has handled suicide, OCD and PTSD has done much to raise awareness, all while producing great drama.
But I would like to highlight a little gem from last Friday. Roy Copper the conscientious and sensible proprietor of ‘Roy’s Rolls’ was telling his customers that he did not own a mobile phone and that people were too distracted by them. The scene cut to his customers all sitting at their tables staring at their screens and not engaging with the people around them. He has a point.
Smart phones have revolutionised our lives, for the good. They enable us to access information immediately. They enable us to manage our finances, book appointments and engage with friends. But they are also a cause of distraction if we don’t manage how we use them.
Social media has also been an outlet for aggression, nastiness and bullying. Sites are often used for the helpful exchange of information, but when the content of sites become unpleasant, decent people withdraw.
Social media is a great medium for engagement but it will only remain so if people engage with it responsibly. Good manners are the hallmark of Britishness. We should make sure that smartphones don’t destroy them.