Phone in Hand, Risk in Sight: Safe Mobile Use in Daily Life

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Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie

Mobile phones have become Pakistan’s most common tool for nearly everything. We use them for banking, schoolwork, family calls, navigation, deliveries, photos, and social media. That convenience is real. But there is a quiet safety problem hidden inside it.

The more we use mobile phones automatically, the more we start using them at the worst possible times, in traffic, late at night, and during moments that require full attention. This month’s Safety article looks at the risks of unsafe mobile usage and the simple habits that prevent harm.

Distracted driving and road danger

The most immediate danger is using a phone while driving or riding. Many people think a quick glance is harmless. In reality, even a brief moment of attention loss can be enough to miss a pedestrian, a motorcycle, a turning vehicle, or a sudden stop. The World Health Organization warns that drivers using mobile phones are about four times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who are not using a phone, and it also notes that hands-free use is not much safer because cognitive distraction remains the core problem.

A newer trend makes the situation even more alarming. Recent reporting has highlighted a rise in drivers watching videos such as TikTok or YouTube while driving, which turns a moving vehicle into a rolling hazard. In Pakistan, where traffic is already complex and road discipline is uneven, this behavior is not merely irresponsible, it is potentially fatal.

Lessons learned

If you must take a call, pull over safely and stop. Do not “multitask” with a phone in traffic. Tell family members, especially young drivers, that the road requires full attention, even for short distances.

Fraud, phishing, and the trap of one click

The second major risk is digital fraud. Scammers are increasingly using phone calls, SMS, and WhatsApp messages to trick people into sharing one-time passwords, clicking deceptive links, or installing harmful apps. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued public cautions about deceptive links circulating on WhatsApp, social media, and text messages, including links falsely claiming to be associated with official systems. (pta.gov.pk)

These scams often sound urgent. They may claim your SIM will be blocked, your phone will be seized, your bank account will be frozen, or your parcel will be cancelled. The goal is simple. They want you to panic and act quickly.

Lessons learned

Do not click unknown links. Do not share passwords or one-time passwords with anyone. If a message claims to be from an authority, verify it through official channels and websites, not through the link in the message. (pta.gov.pk)

Mobile phones and family wellbeing

Another safety issue is less dramatic but very common. Uncontrolled phone use can harm sleep, focus, and mental calm, especially in children and teenagers. When phones stay in bedrooms, sleep becomes shorter and lighter. When scrolling becomes the default response to stress, people lose recovery time and emotional balance. Families then notice irritability, reduced attention in school, and tension at home.

This is not an argument against technology. It is an argument for boundaries. A phone is useful, but it should not control the rhythm of family life.

Lessons learned

Keep phones away from the bed at night. Set a household rule for screen-free time during meals. Encourage children to use phones in shared family spaces rather than behind closed doors. If a child is using social media, parents should discuss privacy, kindness, and the danger of sharing personal details with strangers.

Public space safety and situational awareness

In markets, on streets, and on public transport, phone distraction also increases vulnerability. People absorbed in screens are easier targets for snatching, scams, and harassment. In crowded areas, even one moment of distraction can lead to losing belongings or stepping into traffic.

Lessons learned

In public spaces, keep your phone use brief and purposeful. Step aside to a safe spot if you need to type or read. Do not display expensive phones openly in crowded or high-risk areas.

A short safety rule that works everywhere

Use your phone with intention. If you are driving, walking across roads, climbing stairs, or moving through crowds, your attention belongs to the real world, not to the screen. If a message creates fear and urgency, pause. Safety begins with slowing down enough to think.

Fun Fact

Many people believe hands-free calls are safe because the hands are on the steering wheel. Road-safety research summarized by the World Health Organization emphasizes that the core danger is often cognitive distraction, not only holding the device.