When Abraham Graham Bell invented the telephone with the mere intention of creating a device that would allow his deaf mother and wife hear, he was without any doubt highly ignorant of the dimensions his simple invention would take decades from then. From cell phones as big as soap bars to lightweight smartphones, the simple means of communication has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. Today, cell phones thrive ubiquitously in the daily life of the common men despite their negative effects. But does their general acceptance in society mean that the positive effects of cell phones outweigh their cons?
To start with, cell phones have indisputably bridged the communication gaps between people. This not only on an auditory level but also on a visual level as most cell phones are now equipped with cameras. As reported by Pew Internet's 2012 survey, over 65% of American adults believe that their cell phone facilitates their interaction with people. From yet another light, a portable technology, it can immediately connect people in cases of emergencies. Approximately 70% of 911 calls in the US are made from mobile devices as stated by the Federal Communications Commission which also validates cell phones as ‘undeniable civil security devices’. Pursuant to this, a ‘text-to-911’ service was created to allow users to request emergency help through SMS. Additionally, the texting possibility of cell phones tremendously helps those who suffer from vocal communication problems such as autism or vocal cords diseases in their daily communications. As such, mobile phones have truly revolutionized interaction.
Admittedly, cell phones pack entertainment, work and personal life together in one small box that can multitask these three aspects of life. Are you looking for a song you do not know the title of, an expense recorder for your home or a transit advisor to get to work? There are thousands of apps associated with smartphones that can now can make all of these happen simultaneously and instantaneously! Cell phones have optimistically infiltrated less obvious aspects of life. For instance, users can now enjoy minute-to-minute contact with your counsellor through apps like ‘Talkspace’. Users can plan a meal, estimate the amount of calories lost during a jog, read eBooks and what not more? More alluring are calculators, maps and reference materials equipped with the GPS and artificial intelligence that attune their features as per the user’s tastes and preferences. Hence, the same old job is performed not only faster but with less struggle and in a more creative manner. Nowadays, regarded as a primitive form of entertainment related to cell phones, ring tones firms are currently worth a five dollar billion market every year, now imagine the business of more up-to-date cell phone applications!
Evidently, these benefits of the cell phones have made the global industries and organizations very competitive and dynamic. Service providers in Singapore such as SingTel and M1 perpetually compete with each other so as to offer Singapore the best possible rates- this to the benefit of consumers who enjoy cheaper rates. Subsequently, international calls through cell phones are also cheaper than through land line dials. Recently, cell phones have replaced even the fairly new debit cards as the SIM card can personally identify a customer’s bank accounts. Also, from its very conceptualization, cell phones have fuelled mass marketing- this even in non-profitable sectors. The political arena, for example, especially in Africa and India have changed enormously due to cell phones as researched by Madeline Storck from the University of St Andrews, Scotland. This can be traced even before the extensive use of social media when cell phones were used as a means of mobilization. The 2010 UK students protest against hikes in tuition fees is a good illustration where Blackberries were effectively used to avoid the police.
On the flip side, however, cell phones have not only adversely impacted interpersonal relationships alongside social interactions but have also, contrary to popular belief increased insecurity. The University of Florida news story once quoted some Japanese who found that children often do not befriend peers with no cell phones, thus not surprisingly depicting the conversion of real-life interactions into virtual socialization. Similarly, mobile phones have led to plagues such as ‘sexting’, harassment and bullying. The I-SAFE foundation testified that over a quarter of adolescents and teens in the world have been repeatedly bullied through their cell phones or the Internet. Not to mention, cell phones drive personal data to become physically accessible to scrupulous minds. Cell phone theft is not very unusual in police records. Identity theft is very closely associated with cell phones that bare all social media accounts to any hacker despite multiple encryptions.
Conjointly, cell phones are a major source of distraction. Modern world classrooms have morphed dramatically with cell phones. Students tend to check their phones an average of 11.43 times during class says a study published in the Journal of Media Education January last. It also reveals that students spend 20% of their time in class on their devices non-academically. Sadly, since students now get information faster through cell phones, education standards have lowered greatly with lack of critical thinking processes and cases of easy cheating because of text messaging and internet available on cell phones. Cell phone-induced distraction is notably present on the road and responsible for fatal accidents all over the world. 4 years ago, 3,328 people were killed in distraction-related crashes and about 421,000 people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver solely in America and with each passing year, the numbers are only sky-rocketing.
Moreover, cell phones are sources of innumerable health issues. But weirdly, even though it may seem logical that screens on cell phones comparatively more strenuous than PC screens on the basis of their sizes, as per ‘The Vision Council’, over 70% of Americans claim ignorance that they are susceptible to digital eye strain. And, although several reputed bodies like the FCC states there is no current evidence that "establishes a definite link between wireless device use and cancer”, many people continuously worry about the health risks associated with cell phones, ranging from brain cancer to chronic pain and decline in sperm health. Another growing health concern is the emotional dependence on cell phones that leads to distress and even physical symptoms when one's phone dies or is lost. Actually, a research discovered that people performed worse on an exam and suffered from accelerated heart rate and blood pressure by distancing them away from their phones.
Therefore, despite the few hitches observed in the effects of cell phones, the latter have benefit Homo sapiens in various ways. If cell phones increasingly degrade our mental, physical and social uniqueness, it also boosts them in some other ways and equips us better in all aspects of life. What matters is the realization that cell phones should not be made an abuse of and good management and discipline will neutralize the negative effects of cell phones in our lives.