Jan Allison Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Teenage Quirks

Teenagers confuse me
They rarely make eye contact, 
let alone communicate verbally
and if they do utter a sound 
it’s a grunt or ‘meh’ or ‘whateverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr’

More often than not they speak through their hands 
which move like lightning speed over their mobile phones
At recess they send messages to each other
usually to a student sitting next to them!
They are glued to these devices and take them everywhere
and I mean everywhere... 
Seriously it doesn’t normally take ME half an hour to go to the loo!

I confounds me that many teenagers can’t tell the time on a watch or clock
In fact, they rarely wear watches these days unless it’s a smart watch
I guess it’s just the way the world is going in this technological age
but I’m grateful we didn’t have these devices when I was growing up...
Nowadays teenagers are amazed that we made our own entertainment
played outdoors in the fresh air and spoke to our friends using our mouths!

Quirky Things That Confound and Confuse Me Contest
Sponsored by Caren Krutsinger

NB From September 2018 one of our High Schools is introducing a ban on mobile phones for years 7, 8 and 9, it will be interesting to see if verbal communication improves!

7/9/18

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Eve Roper July 14, 2018 at 1:07 PM Congratulations on your awesome win and well crafted write . This is so true with the rolling eyes Hugs Eve Jan Allison July 14, 2018 at 5:10 PM Thanks Eve, makes me so glad I'm out of the education system except for exam supervision and if student have a phone with them during an exam the consequences can be severe:-( hugs jan xx

Alexis Y. July 14, 2018 at 10:50 AM Hi Jan, I am with you on the cell phone situation. When I was young we actually played outside and talked. The sad thing is not just teenagers who have a cell phone, Its much younger. Everyone has a cell phone these days even kids in elementary school. Congratulations on your placement in the contest. It was well deserved:-) Alexis Jan Allison July 14, 2018 at 5:09 PM It would be great if they had a blanket ban throughout all school ages and then hopefully there would be less bullying and more interaction between students. we are facing an obesity issue with the kids here - less time spent outdoors more on their mobile devices:-( hugs Jan xx

Susan Gentry July 14, 2018 at 8:34 AM Congratulations on your win. Enjoyed reading. Agree with all said, balance is key but if it's there, I don't see it. Well done! Jan Allison July 14, 2018 at 5:07 PM Thanks Susan:-) hugs jan xx

Tom Cunningham July 14, 2018 at 8:17 AM Back with congratulations Jan. Tom Jan Allison July 14, 2018 at 5:07 PM Thanks Tom, I spend so little time on soup at the moment am busy having fun on the Island, going to see 'the human league' tomorrow will be interesting to see if they can still thrill the crowds like they used to in their hey day:-) hugs Jan xx

Gershon Wolf July 13, 2018 at 12:09 AM Then again, when they open their mouths, you might want to pray for them to return to their devices. Oh, teen-agers these days! ~ Socrates Jan Allison July 13, 2018 at 2:52 AM ha ha ha love that comment so yes the phones could be a blessing in disguise lol:-) hugs Jan xx

Anisha Dutta July 11, 2018 at 7:50 PM I totally agree with you. To me it's a big problem of modern generation to lose their personality being glued to mobile. I am worried n can't work out any solution. All the best. Jan Allison July 12, 2018 at 12:18 PM It is very worrying indeed Anisha:-( hugs Jan xx

Faraz Ajmal July 10, 2018 at 4:09 AM I really enjoyed reading this wonderful poem of yours, as a matter of fact, I am also a teenager, 16, and I must admit that there is truth in your words, even right now I am on my tablet, commenting on your poem, but gladly in Pakistan, mobile phones are not allowed in collages, neither are smart watches, but still even I remember that my friend was in our housr and jokingly instead of talking we were chating on tablets but it was a joke, anyway I really enjoyed your poem Jan Allison July 12, 2018 at 12:17 PM thanks Faraz so glad to read your comment :-) hugs Jan xx

Lyric Man July 9, 2018 at 7:31 PM Jan.. way to just go there. Hit the hot topic button and race into the controversy. Everything in life, well most everything, is both good and bad. It's all about moderation. Kids get addicted to tech when nothing else can compete. Parents need to do more than say no. For years adults basically ignored their kids and now the kids block them out. I'm thinking of lyrics "Cats in the craddle" Jan Allison July 12, 2018 at 12:14 PM love the lyrics to that song Dave they studied them in the school in English in a lesson I was supporting. :-) hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich July 9, 2018 at 5:57 PM I LOVE this , Jan . It's SO SO true. A calamity of society. The only GOOD thing about it, teachers don't have to yell at kids to shut up any more . PAY ATTENTION is the New BE QUIET!! Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 6:08 PM They still ignore instruction Andrea like put your phones away lol, makes me smile they turn up without basic equipment like a pen but never forget to bring their phone!:-( hugs jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong July 9, 2018 at 5:42 PM I own a smart phone so I can text my kids who never answer their phones. It is annoying and causes misunderstandings but they love the technology. I agree with them being banned during class. It is too much of a distraction for the teachers. A gem of a poem Jan! : ) Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 5:44 PM I worked in school for 16 years Connie, the phones can cause so many issues it will be interesting to see if other High schools here follow suit:-) hugs jan xx

Dale Gregory Cozart July 9, 2018 at 4:50 PM Let's face it, Jan, the world is going to hell in a high tech handbasket. Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 5:27 PM You are so right there Dale:-) hugs jan xx

Christopher Flaherty July 9, 2018 at 3:56 PM I am also gladJan. We never had all these computers and phones when I was a child. That is why we can say to this day We were the last generation of Children Who actually had a actual Childhood. .I wrote poem about the news today . Can you please read it and let me know what you think . Ta Cheers Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 4:01 PM We definitely benefited in so many ways Chris with a much simpler childhood, will drop by:-) hugs jan xx

Daniel Turner July 9, 2018 at 3:23 PM I believe technology to be a very slippery slope. It can be both useful and destructive. Like everything else in life, one should choose moderation. Very well written, Jan. Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 3:27 PM You are so right DT everything in moderation, I am delighted one high school here is banning them they make teaching so difficult at times so it will be interested to see what effect it has in the classroom. Am so glad I'm not facing these issues in any way in my life, we coped well when we grew up without them and my mobile phone is at home 95% of the time:-) hugs jan xx

Arturo Michael July 9, 2018 at 2:55 PM This is the way of the world...good to reminisce though..All the best Jan Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 3:09 PM It is good to reminisce Arturo. I think we survived quite well without the use of technology but I appreciate times have changed:-) hugs jan x

Tom Cunningham July 9, 2018 at 1:52 PM It's sad really, they'll never know the joy of climbing trees and other outdoor pursuits', I remember I used to see kids on their way to school, never saw their faces, always heads down looking at their phones. They'll sure have neck problems as they get older and arthritis in their fingers. Yes, schools should ban them especially in exam halls. Good luck. Tom Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 3:07 PM oh they are banned in exam halls Tom, the consequences are severe if they even inadvertently forget to hand it in they can be penalised so heavily. At the end of the day we survived without them and if parents need to contact the student there is alway a phone call to the school office - worked for us!!:-) hugs Jan xx

Tim Smith July 9, 2018 at 12:13 PM Lots of pros and cons...they could be out doing what I was doing ( dad cringes) Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 12:19 PM lol Tim, I'm glad they never had mobiles when I was at school, having worked with kids for 16 years it was the bane of our lives and finally one of the schools are taking action. They have a problem on the island with obesity in the infant/junior school children, they need to be playing outdoors not texting and playing on line games! hugs jan xx

Casarah Nance July 9, 2018 at 8:05 AM I know right, technology is infectious, a good and bad thing! This is a true to life right, sad to say, I know many teens that act this way Jan Allison July 9, 2018 at 8:09 AM In the school I worked at so many of the issues were caused by mobile phones either being out in lessons or with bullying via social media, will be interesting to see if things get better with the ban on the younger students having them. My phone is considered a dinosaur nowadays its just for text and calls no internet ... the kids would probably laugh if they saw mine lol:-) hugs jan xx