Rattled Saudi parents support BlackBerry ban

Aug 06, 2010 |

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Aug. 5: While many Saudis are unhappy that the kingdom is to block BlackBerry services, a large number support the ban because they say smartphones are negatively influencing the youth, a report said on Thursday.

Arab News in a report on its website said an online survey of 331 people found 178 people opposing the ban due to come into effect on Friday, and 153 supporting it.

Those who disagreed with the decision, the report said, complained that no prior notice was given, with some having purchased their BlackBerries a few days ago and are now stuck with a device that will not work.

Nevertheless, 153 people of those in the poll apparently conducted by the newspaper, said they support the move as BlackBerries “have had a very negative effect on the youth.”

Most of those supporting the ban were parents who had been arguing with their children on the issue, Arab News said. It cited a woman named Um Aisha who said she had confiscated her daughter’s BlackBerry after she became overly attached to it to the point it was affecting her health.

“My daughter collapsed once. When we took her to hospital the doctor said she was suffering from fatigue. After getting her BlackBerry phone, she became so attached to it that she even used to be on it while in bed. She reads every SMS she receives and even replies to them late at night,” Um Aisha said. A university student named only as May too supported the ban.

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