Second-Grader Pens Heartfelt Essay About Wishing Cell Phones Were Never Invented

When Louisiana elementary school teacher Jen Adams Beason asked her second-graders to write an essay about an invention they wished had never been made, she was floored by the response penned by one of her students.

"A phone is sometimes a really bad habit," the child wrote. "I hate my mom's phone and I wish she never had one."

Beason took to Facebook in mid-May to share a photo of the student's essay, which went viral before it was deleted. Within days, thousands of people had reacted to the post on social media; it struck a chord with parents and non-parents alike. We could all use a reminder to put down our devices once in a while. (After you finish reading this story on your mobile device of choice, of course.) Thanks, kid!

"I Don't Like the Phone"

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Jen Adams Beason / Facebook

In her post, Beason revealed that "Out of 21 students, 4 of them wrote about this topic."

"I Wish She Never Had One"

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Jen Adams Beason / Facebook

"I don't like the phone because my [parents] are on their phone every day," the student wrote. Aww.

"That's An Invention That I Don't Like"

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Jen Adams Beason / Facebook

The student added some visuals to hammer their point home, drawing a picture of a mobile phone with an X through it below their essay. Whew!

What Do Fellow Parents Think?

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@jimmy_thistle / Twitter

Lots of parents related to this issue, judging by people's responses on Twitter. After all, it's easy to lose track of time — and what's important IRL — when you're always glued to your phone.

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@NSchelly / Twitter

If you've ever made your kid wait around until you're done fiddling with your phone, you're not alone.

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@UnmatchedA / Twitter

When you think about it, the invention of the cell phone really is a double-edged sword.

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@TKtwiterpated / Twitter

Many people hoped the essay served as an important reminder for the child's parents. (Pretty sure this person meant "walk.")

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@vb_lord / Twitter

Not everyone agreed that the cell phone itself is the source of many parents' inattention, though: Some parents will always be absorbed in their own activities, people argued.

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Rivka Arbetter / Facebook

For what it's worth, this isn't a new problem. Remember when the Blackberry was first released? Parents were ALL over them.

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@CharBSage / Twitter

Childhood only happens once, cautioned some parents.

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Susan Margrave / Facebook

PSA: Kids definitely notice when you're on your phone all the time.

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Molly Spurgeon / Facebook

Some older parents warned young parents about missing out on little moments in their children's lives — they might regret it later!

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Rhiannon Borunda / Facebook

In certain instances, it all comes down to a choice: To parent, or to Snapchat? To give your kids some attention, or to update your Instagram Story?

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@fidelis_62 / Twitter

No matter which side you're taking, we would all be wise to be more conscious of our cell phone use.