Influence of Mobile Phones
In this century of science and technology, mobile phones perform a crucial part in people’s lives. You would find many people between the ages of 13 and 60 owns a mobile phone. The mobile phone is one of the most important inventions of all times and it has brought not only lots of advantages but also has its own disadvantages. When we use it the right way, it conveys comfort but it may bring damage to us if we utilize it inappropriately. Basing on some testimonies from two young grown-ups regarding their smartphone, the first one said “… I am almost continually on the internet now. I love using applications and the map option on the phone. I have used the map option multiple times since I bought a phone. I do look up YouTube videos like crazy though…I cannot see myself going back to any other mobile phone now. It’s addicting but amazing at the same time.” Female aged 23. The other testimony was from a male individual aged 26 and he said, “living life on the go in a big city means it’s nice to have the World Wide Web at hand. I love to be able to Google anything I need to know or to get maps, or directions, or check my very important Facebook. It is a great asset to my ability to remain manly (i.e. not asking for directions) and is a great tool for staying sane on a slow day at work” (Cooper 175). These remarks demonstrate how the cell phone has become normalized in everyday life. People should balance between being with or without a mobile phone in order to prevent undesirable effects of addiction to them. it is undeniable that mobile phones have given rise to more positive growth in the current world. In addition, being of the internet make life comfortable and much easier. People can find any information they need with just a single touch of a button. Information is simply obtainable and most of it free of charge from a variety of fields such as education, business and entertainment from across the globe. The impact of mobile phones is greatly wide and below are some of the pros and cons of mobile phones.
Pros
Firstly, the use of mobile phones has enabled constant communication among people whether far or near one another. Mobile phones enable parents and their kids to remain connected while in school. Therefore, when a kid wants to remain after school or wants a ride, he or she will just call his dad or her mother to tell them of his or her state. Due to constant communication, cell phone technology has made the world a small village. This is because people can connect with family, friends or even make new friends across the globe. Ability to text, call, chat and video call has been brought about by mobile phones and it has made people stay connected as long as they wish. The mobile phone has aided save time. Messages can be sent and received instantly in the comfort of our homes.
Secondly, the use of mobile phones has impacted relationships. Currently, many people especially young grown-ups have rarely acknowledged a life without a cell phone, and some have at no time acknowledged an existence without a smartphone. Mobile phones have become progressively crucial for forming and upholding relationships among peers and among romantic partners. Research indicates there exist an expressive investment and link with the cell phone which makes it appear as an extension of the personality (Caron and Letizia 40). No additional current technology has succeeded to be so private to so many. The use of mobile phone among peers creates or maintain social networks in a way that make it’s likely to strengthen the bonds of a peer group with no physical presence. Thus, it obviously grants to the continuing building of relationships. Stald argues that “…since the mobile is the main personal communication gadget for so many young persons, it becomes important in generating norms and rules and in testing individual’s own position relative to the peer set” (Stald 143). The quick acceptance and dispersal of the mobile phone amongst young individuals were mainly unexpected, and frequently grown-ups were yet steering how to use it. Texting could signify love and emotional linking. The empirical study depicts that texts were not lengthy chats, but entailed typically of endearments and information, the former of which nearly appeared as love notes (Cooper 57). Also, photographs are a system of communication between idealistic partners which has been largely restored by the cell phones as the superiority of the picture lasts to advance.
Thirdly, mobile phone use has enabled more savings. Smartphones today come with allowed features, including long haul calls and a particular amount of free text messages. These aids can assist people to stay in touch with friends and families who are living distant away without sustaining high costs. Caller ID and free voice mails are some of the additional convenient features that are dispensed by some providers. For such features, many people decide to use mobile phones wholly to free themselves of monthly landline bills. The business world also has also resulted in the use of mobile phones in activities such as video conferencing to negotiating business deals and transactions thus saving on related cost. People can also purchase items using online shops applications and be delivered to them on their doorstep. The entire process from selection to payment is online. They just need to wait for the items to be brought to them. Thus, it is very convenient as people have to just wait at home and expect their goods to arrive anytime without the need to physically go shopping. People will, therefore, save more on transport cost and another associated cost that may occur.
Fourthly, the use of mobile phones especially smartphones has impacted positively in research and education. It has played a major role in the completion of assignments and projects by students and researchers respectively. Particularly, it aids learning by students. An entire multitude of information appears before our eyes with just typing a single word in search engines like Yahoo or Google. It will enable the timely completion of assignments and projects. Hence it saves much more time when looking for information needed than searching through lots of books which will take hours.
Fifthly, there has been an increase in rescue for emergencies. Cell phones have now saved many lives because of their function to access the ambulance, police or fire teams to comply with crises situations. Mobile phone use can provide an added safety since they can determine a measure of security if someone gets lost, in case someone’s car breaks down or someone feels endangered when walking past a poorly lit zone such as a dark street. Today, if someone gets lost in a new place, they can just dial for help to come out of the situation. Numerous models of these devices have beneficial services, 24-7 hotlines and GPS, which can be checked out any moment you are in distress. GPS enabled devices to ensure parents keep track of their children locations (Battestini, Vidya and Timothy 8). Mobile phones have great tracking abilities that allow parents and guardians to know the exact locations of someone important to him or her. They again help prevent them from unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, for these gadgets, both parties will have the guarantee that they are in a safe environment.
Sixthly, mobile phones have played a vital role in the entertainment field. Many people can be able to watch videos, play songs and also play games on it. They can entertain themselves by simply using it. In addition to that, they can even download films and watch them on mobile phones instead of enduring the bother of going to the cinema.
Seventhly, due to high level of portability, people prefer to use mobile phones to substitute their landlines. These devices are commonly smaller and easy to carry around. The need to utilize landline services is removed with a mobile phone as you can travel around the continents and countries without a worry of losing service with a mobile gadget.
Lastly, apart from that, mobile phones can be used as recording devices. They can record whatever an individual wants to record and hence they can be used to record valuable information. For instance, a journalist can record crucial points they heard or witnessed by using their mobile phones since they are very convenient. They can use the devices also when they are at the press site. Students too, if they have no time in writing down what the lecturer is teaching, can record it with their mobile phones as long as their lecturer permits them.
Cons
Contrarily, the use of mobile phones has also impacted negatively on people. It has brought about distractions to people. The persuasive feeling to make voice calls, text or even video calls when working or driving is very distracting. Some evidence suggests that when people focus their attention on one stimulus, they might fail to observe another stimulus different from the initial but by a few degrees of visual angle. A study showed that drivers were less keen when they were engaging in a conversation over a mobile phone where the female drivers were more negatively affected than the male drivers. The aged drivers were more affected as compared to the younger drivers. This has heightened the level of accidents and danger around the globe annually. Teenagers included, contribute to an insane amount of accidents because of mobile phones. Mobile phones can be very distracting among children more significant activities they should be involved in such as doing homework, studying or even crossing the street. Studies indicate that children are more possibly to get hit by a vehicle when they are talking or texting on mobile while crossing a street. Meanwhile, these devices can easily connect to the internet and thus they would be taken away from their homework or study.
Next, there has been increased cheating at school. Students use their mobile phones to cheat in exams and have resulted in a big problem in many schools in the world. They are able to text answers below their desks while at it (Battestini, Vidya and Timothy 12). Also, because a variety of these gadgets are in harmony with the internet, students can at times even sought and find answers using the search engine on their mobile phones. Furthermore, their academic performance has been impacted negatively since they are not focused on their studies. Many get easily distracted and excited by instant memes, chats, downloading apps and watching Facebook. This can unvaryingly contain its individual set of consequences when it comes to attaining excellent performances in academics.
With the increased use of mobile phones, there is lose out on traditional values and norms. People tend to lose out on traditions and values when they get exposed to mobile tablets, I-pads and I-phones. Past kids used to read epic books such as the Bible and it impacted positively on their lives. Modern-day kids captivate themselves with Spiderman, Batman and other Disney characters. The invent of cell phones and extensive usage has literally deteriorated and destroyed the abundant cultural and expanded heritage. Additionally, children exposed to technology and when they attend public gatherings or go to public areas, you will find them playing games on their mobile phones. This the outcome due to the parental responsibility of giving their frilly children mobile phones to halt them from playing around and make them behaved. They never cease to stop at any moment when they begin to play those games. They will eventually be addicted to playing the games whenever they need and want to. A few of them might be simply influenced by what they watch and do in the phones and they are not grown up enough to separate on what is wrong and what is right. Hence for these case, parents or caregivers perform critical roles to prohibit their children from being addicted to playing games.
Excessive gaze on mobile phones screens may trigger eye problems. When someone is using a mobile phone, their eyes keep focusing and refocusing each time they stare on the phone screens. Eyes are sensory organs that respond to varying images on the screen so that the brain can process what somebody is seeing. The entire processes require much effort from and individual’s eyes muscle. It will strain and weaken the eyes. Many mothers feel proud when their kids move between various applications on mobile phones. They think that their kids are brainy and intelligent while forgetting the fact that continuous viewing of mobile phones can result in critical vision-related problems. For long-lasting effect, individuals will experience eye problems. Thus, those affected will have to wear glasses to correct their vision. For the people who so far use glasses, it will ultimately heighten the power of their glasses. It will be awkward to wear glasses as they have to wear it every time in order for them to see (Miller 10). Some of the issues related to the eye include lazy eye, perennial eye-infections and cylindrical issues. However, if people limit mobile phone usage, they will prevent eye sickness. Their usage should be only when people need to and there is no need to use it when someone is bored. People should find something to get involved in other than using a mobile phone. In addition, mobile phones can bring about a series of health problems. Many and if not all smartphones emit radiation as against user-friendly Light Emitting Diode (LED) screens. This can have a sequence of health threats apart from infections of the eye alone. A lot of people put their hands-free while listening to news clips, listening to music and video watching. For adults and students, this can affect the subtle tendons, located close to the ear-drum. Quite many teenagers purchase invisible aids for hearing to battle this specific issue. Radiation effect can result in obstruction of the heart, coronary disorders and cirrhosis. Over time, it may eventually lead to cancer due to continuous exposure to radiation (Zulkefly and Baharudin 213).
Next, the use of mobile phones has led to a rise in anti-social activities such as terrorism and cyber-crimes. Each and every household can at least own a mobile phone and data devices and therefore there has been a rise in anti-socialism. Terrorism militants usually change and utilize multiple sim cards to reveal their area of operations. With regard to where to plan a sequential bomb blast, the location to plan Cyanide based explosion and so on. Terrorist IP addresses exchange is made bother-free with exposure to cell phones and smartphones gadgets. Grown-up adults and students might be attracted by quick access to money and they might find themselves indulging in anti-social activities as well. Data hackers as well can still personal banking details of innocent persons or stalk innocent people. Anti-social activities and cyber-crimes are probably on the increase, with ready access to mobile phones and tablets.
Also, spending extravagantly to purchase an up-to-date and fashionable mobile phone is a waste of resources. Having fashionable and modern mobile phones is wasted since they perform the same function just like others. For instance, individuals are likely to purchase Apple brand of phones because of its established and popular brand. They are ready to spend a huge amount of money to have the iPhone. Although the iPhone is simply the same as any other make of mobile phone, people still prefer it. It functions just like Huawei, Samsung and Vivo which bids mobile phone way cheaper. Persons who buy without proper future plans will end up having financial crises as they had no idea on the way to manage their finance well.
Finally, due to addiction to mobile phones, spending time with family is affected. People who like juggling their phones will hardly find time for their families. This is because they choose to spend most of their time playing video games on their mobile phones thereby forgetting their families. Families can consequently end up broken up because of this addiction (Stald 158). Students also will find less time for family, study or revision. Students should make a time table and strictly follow it under the supervision of the parents. In overall terms, everyone should practice time management. This will reduce spending too much time on mobile phones.
In conclusion, it is not in denial that the cell phone may bring more advantages than the disadvantages. If used correctly, it might bright noteworthy outcome that will impact individuals positively and the world as well. It is a wonderful invention that has flagged the way for advancement. I think we cannot point our finger at cell phone because of some negative aspects with the package. Many of the negative impacts resulting from the human fault which should be blamed on everyone. Correct utilization reaps great benefits and brings harm to incase we utilize it the wrong way.
Work Cited
Battestini, Agathe, Vidya Setlur, and Timothy Sohn. “A large scale study of text-messaging use.” Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services. 2010.
Caron, André H., and Letizia Caronia. Moving Cultures: Mobile Communication in Everyday Life. McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP, 2007.
Cooper, Carol. Going mobile: the Domestication of the Cell Phone by Teens in a Rural East Texas Town. Diss. Loughborough University, 2016.Retrieved from: https://dspace.Iboro.ac.uk/2134/21767
Miller Brandon. 18 Essential Pros and Cons of Cell Phones. Green Garage. (2015). 1-15. Retrieved from: https://greengarageblog.org/18-essential-pros-and-cons-of-cell-phones
Stald, Gitte. Mobile Identity: Youth, Identity, and Mobile Communication Media. MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Initiative, 2008. pp. 143-164.
S, Zulkefly. and R. Baharudin. “Mobile Phone Use amongst Students in a University in Malaysia: Its Correlates and Relationship to Psychological Health” in European Journal of Scientific Research, (2009). 2(27), pp. 206-218. Url: https://core.ac.ku/download/12226007.pdf