For parents, it was a great way of getting to know their children's friends, it forced an interaction whereas today, parents have to actively seek that out.
On the flipside, giving mobiles to kids makes it much easier for parents to keep track of them, or for the kids to get help from their parents. But it also helps kids keep secrets from their parents, which is good in some cases and bad in some cases.
For parents, it was a great way of getting to know their children's friends, it forced an interaction whereas today, parents have to actively seek that out.
On the flipside, giving mobiles to kids makes it much easier for parents to keep track of them, or for the kids to get help from their parents. But it also helps kids keep secrets from their parents, which is good in some cases and bad in some cases.
Technological change certainly is a mixed bag.