JEDDAH, 10 February 2005 — A new trend is breaking out using the new Bluetooth technology — a feature of the latest mobile camera phones. Some teens use the devices to transfer phone numbers, songs, pictures, jokes, short video clips and sometimes viruses.
The mobile user starts receiving a rush of messages as soon as activating the Bluetooth device, which detects other mobiles so equipped in the surrounding area.
The number of messages received depends on the appeal and the attraction to others of the nickname chosen by the mobile user.
There are various nicknames used to attract messages from members of the opposite sex. A few examples include “Spoiled Girl of Jeddah,” “Miss Chocolate,” and “Women’s Mechanic”. There are others you will not see in this newspaper.
The teens have different opinions, some drawn down the lines between young men and young women. “Teenagers use this technology in cafes to transfer songs, mobile numbers and obscene pictures,” said Hadeel Masood, a student at the College of Business Administration. “Even when on vacation abroad, these kids still misuse the technology.”
Others say when Bluetooth isn’t such a new tooth, the novelty will wear off.
“Anything new at the beginning has to be misused,” said Ghadeer Ashour, an interior design student. In time, people will begin to understand that there are positive uses for this technology.” She noted there’s a new program that enables the person to hack into the contacts, pictures and all the files of any mobile equipped with Bluetooth.
Some look at use of the new technology as a breakthrough in safety.
“Using Bluetooth is much better than trying to throw the number to the girls through car windows, or in the shopping center,” said Rakan, a 20-year-old university student. “Through Bluetooth, I guarantee that the other party chose to accept my number or the file I sent. In other words, I don’t impose myself on anyone.”
Of course, he added that many of his friends compete with one another to see who has the most or latest photos.
For the sellers of mobile phones, it’s an amazingly popular item but one they agree is being misused.
“It amused me that when the new Nokia mobile phone was released, it increased sales by 40 percent,” said Mahmoud, a 38-year-old merchant. “Most of the people asking for this new mobile are extremely young. They come in asking about the newest camera mobiles. Then they ask me about the Bluetooth.”
He notes that in other parts of the world, it doesn’t seem to be as much of a problem. “It’s a pity that our youth abuse this technology in an immoral manner,” Mahmoud said. “People abroad use the camera to capture good moments within friends and families without abusing its use or using it to scandalize someone or take revenge. It’s the same thing with Bluetooth; you can use it to transfer data for work or school, not just as a new flirting trend.”
Some officials note that wholesome activities and some parental supervision could take the fangs out of Bluetooth.
“The lack of the religious awareness and social awareness are the main reason behind this unfortunate phenomenon,” said Samy Ba-Amer of the Social Workers’ Department. “Another factor is that these young people have huge amounts of spare time, that is where all these problems come from.”
Do parents consider the age factor when buying their kids mobiles?
“Children at very young age — 15, or sometimes 10 — are walking around with these mobiles, which makes them use them for ill purposes,” said Ba-Amer.
He notes that the teens would be well-advised to use them in a proper manner, as one day they will have sons and daughters. “They should also learn how to use technology properly — for their own benefit,” he added.
