Photo: VCG

On September 19,MK sports world-renowned photographer Stephen Shore abruptly ended his lecture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing after noticing many people in the audience were browsing their phones. Later, the organizer responded to the matter, mentioning on one hand that there should be clearer etiquette guidelines at the lecture site. On the other hand, they explained that some audience members were taking notes on their phones. When Shore learned about the actual situation, he said he felt a sense of relief. 

This incident has sparked heated discussions about whether there should be limits on smartphone use in specific situations, highlighting broader issues of public etiquette and norms. While it may seem minor, it reflects a common dilemma in daily life where boundaries are often unclear. On the one hand, when audience members spend long periods looking at their phones during lectures or meetings, speakers may question their engagement and feel disrespected. On the other hand, the rich functionalities of smartphones allow many people to take notes, record lectures, or look up relevant information in real time. Many also habitually use their phones to capture presentations or other materials. These situations represent the complex contradictions surrounding smartphone use in lectures and similar contexts.

Smartphones have evolved from mere communication tools into comprehensive personal devices that integrate various functions. They have become essential for handling daily tasks, deeply embedded in our lives and serving as crucial links to the world. In contexts like lectures and meetings, smartphones replace traditional paper, pens and computers, providing significant convenience. At the same time, some people have become "phubbers," lacking the most basic respect for both the lecture and the speaker. How to control the extent of using mobile phones in situations that require listening, thinking and concentration is actually a very complicated issue with the popularity of mobile phones. 

In the past, the functions of mobile phones were limited to communication, and people were quite clear about the purpose of using mobile phones. As mobile phones integrate more and more functions, taking notes on mobile phones is indeed more convenient than writing by hand or using a laptop. It also provides great convenience for recording lectures and other content at any time. The listeners can search some information online related to the lecture. For example, when some names of people and places unfamiliar to the listener are not explained by the speaker, it is often handy to instantly check or find information online with a mobile phone.

However, for certain situations, such as important meetings, lectures, classes that require discussion, thinking and face-to-face communication with people, too frequent use of mobile phones will have a negative impact on parties involved. This is not only a matter of respect, it also affects the quality of meetings, lectures and classes. This incident of Shore exactly discloses this contradiction, and underscores that our society needs to clarify the norms and etiquette of "moderate" use of mobile phones.

Etiquette for using mobile phones requires both clear regulations to be set in advance and awareness of the general public. On some occasions, restrictions on using mobile phones should be made clear beforehand. If any violation occurs, the organizer is responsible for stopping such behaviors. 

Requirements should be made clear for specific events, so that the rules can be followed by all those in attendance. In situations where restrictions have not been set, people should avoid browsing their phone for a long time in formal occasions. Also, they should not use their phone to deal with matters not related to the event for too long. This should be a behavior based on fundamental respect and a necessary self-discipline. 

The author is a professor at Peking University. [email protected]