There was a time when we had to wait for years just to get a landline connection, merely to speak with someone outside our city, or the country. The communication revolution truly began with the advent of fiber-optic networks in the late 1980s. It transformed the way we stayed in touch with the world and with one another.
I vividly recall an experience from the early 2000s when I was managing the examination division of a century-old publishing house. We were preparing to conduct a nationwide English language reading and writing exam titled “How Good is Your English?” in collaboration with the prestigious CIEFL (which later became a deemed university, now known as the English and Foreign Languages University). At the time, we didn’t even have a mobile phone in the office. Yet, I had to constantly remain in touch with representatives and exam centres across India. Eventually, I managed to borrow a mobile phone from our chairperson to stay connected. Soon after, Reliance entered the scene, offering corporate bulk deals. That’s when mobile phones began to be distributed to field workers and those who needed constant communication.
Since then, the phone revolution has taken over completely. Today, almost everyone owns a mobile device—whether it’s a basic button phone or a smartphone. Mobile phones have become affordable and accessible to all sections of society. But more than that, they’re no longer just tools for voice communication. They’ve evolved into powerful multi-use devices, always in our hands. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is a separate discussion.
We now live in the age of WhatsApp. Initially seen as a better version of SMS or even a replacement for pagers (now extinct), WhatsApp has evolved into much more. For many, it’s become a critical business tool—enabling transactions, networking, and customer engagement. But on the flip side, it’s also become a source of misinformation. Our political class has inadvertently established what’s jokingly called “WhatsApp University”—a factory of fake news, doctored visuals, and distorted narratives. The platform even contributed to the rise of a new word: Whataboutery—the practice of deflecting criticism or accountability by saying, “What about them?” or “What about that time?”
Another troubling trend is the misuse of WhatsApp status updates. Originally designed for sharing urgent or useful information—like blood donation appeals or COVID-19 plasma requests—it has now become a vanity platform for many. People frequently post about personal events, travel updates, and festival celebrations, often flaunting expensive jewellery or exotic destinations. While it may seem harmless, users often forget that these updates are broadcast to all contacts, including strangers or acquaintances. Unknowingly, this can expose families to potential risks such as theft, stalking, or other crimes in their absence.
It’s time for mobile users to exercise discretion. Share personal moments only with close friends and family. Remember, even those within your circle can feel envious, and what starts as celebration can turn into comparison, gossip, or family friction.
Let’s continue to use mobile phones as tools for communication, productivity, and access to information. But let’s also draw a line. Don’t stress over blue ticks, delayed replies, or skipped “Good Morning” messages. And finally, let’s remind ourselves of the pre-mobile era—a time when we lived just fine without being constantly connected or validated.
