Global Impact of Cell Phones on Humans - Research Paper Example

Global Impact of Cell Phones on Human Race Since the invention of telephone in the nineteenth century, ithas become part of human’s everyday life around the globe. By the 20th century, telephone communication was well established as a way of keeping in touch, engaging in social activities and conducting business. But at the beginning of the 21st century, the fixed telephones had been replaced by its mobile counterpart referred to as cell phone. The fast diffusion of cell phones in the society has been indicated in various research studies. Giving background evaluation on its prevalence and technology, this paper evaluates the pros and cons attributed to the device. It analyses the changes in communication, the society, technology and foreign relations as a result of the widespread technology, giving appropriate recommendations. Introduction Referred to as cell phones by Americans, mobile phones in Africa, Australia, Asia and Europe and in many other ways globally, cell phones have been commercially available for about two and a half decades, enjoying staggering adoption rate as noted by Goggin (1). This has led to the existence of about 5 billion cell phones in the world as at end of 2010 with developing countries having more cell phones than developed countries (Hakoama and Hakoyama 2). China has been noted to be the largest wireless network in the world followed by India and America respectively. According to Prasad (38), the cell phone market in Africa is the fastest in growth globally, perhaps due to the sunset in the industry in the European market as observed by O’Brien. Klemens (2) evaluates the components that make up a cell phone. Of course, cell phones are basically telephones, but they also serve as transmitters and radio receivers, which brings into perspective the understanding of antennas, radio waves and history of radio. The functions of a cell phone would be undertaken by microscopic circuits; the user’s interface would be provided by the liquid crystal display and a battery would be needed to power it. Whereas the distribution of cell phones could reveal much concentration and variation, it would be safe to appreciate that in merely two and half decades since its commercialization, cell phones have grown to be more than mere voice call devices. According to Goggin (2), cell phones have become a central cultural technology in their own right. Pros of Cell Phone Usage Just like many other technologies, cell phones come with its pros and cons. They help people keep in touch without the barrier of location as its mobility allows people to communicate no matter their location. The extra features that come with cell phones such as radio, free communication applications and even TVs save the user money that would have otherwise been used to acquire or subscribe to such services (Eapen, Kumar, and Bhat 138). Cell phones increase the feeling of safety as with the gadget in whatever place, one would feel closer to emergency services in case need be (Prasad 42). Cons of Cell Phone Usage On the other hand, being reachable anytime anywhere could serve as a disadvantage. It could cause one the inconveniences of for example being called back to work when its vacation time with family. Owning this gadget increases one’s expenses due to the cost involved in not only its acquisition but also subscription to the accompanying services such as voice calls and text messages. On safety, Banjo, Hu, and Sundar (128) cite the National Safety Council which estimates car accidents resulting from cell phone distractions at 28% of the total accidents. The associated radiation emission has been linked to health risks including cancer, depression and high blood pressure (Eapen, Kumar, and Bhat 139; Kaplan 3). In schools, cell phones have been noted to propagate cheating and lack of concentration and distractions in classes. The materials making up cell phone printed circuit boards, liquid crystal displays, batteries and plastic casings contain toxic substances which cause environmental degradation when disposed irresponsibly at the end of the cell phone’s cell life span, usually between 1.5 and 2.5 years (Goggin 4). Changes in Communication Brought About by Cell Phones The cell phone has caused a deviation from the traditional use of telephones, the fixed line telephones which were largely meant for professional and business purposes. The cell phone, with its flexibility and varied possibilities, has encouraged use of phones for social interaction not only through calls but also through text messages and other communication applications. It has made immediate communication available to a wider scope of people at almost any time (Eapen, Kumar, and Bhat 142 ). However, cell phones have been noted to disturb the proximate others (Banjo, Hu, and Sundar 128). Having conducted a review of various research studies, the researchers noted that cell phones give one a status and gives general attributions to the user. More than 50% of the reviewed studies affirmed that the use of cell phone distract or bothered others. How Cell Phones Shape Society Research indicates that cell phones have caused an invasion and distortion of public space boundaries. According to Hakoama and Hakoyama (15), this technology has caused human beings to dwell in habitats considered to be more virtual than physical. The features that come with a cell phone results into a conflict of time and space, being in multiple places at the same time. Hence, cell phone’s private features could be perceived as being intrusive to the undertaking of social interaction engagements in public space. In the American context, Banjo, Hu, and Sundar (129) argue that this communicates the resistance to co-existence with proximate others. Cell phones have been used as channels of isolation from the surrounding environment. According to Banjo, Hu, and Sundar, “by speaking softly, turning their backs to those around them, leaning forward, or speaking with their head downward,” users of cell phones communicate the need for privacy and that other people should not bother them (130). Those who recognize the cell phone user’s territory could help in creating a privacy area by adopting various approaches such as reading a magazine or otherwise keeping off any tendencies to intrude. The use of cell phones has also propagated social networking as indicated from the findings by Hakoama and Hakoyama (14) in their research on the impact of cell phones on social networking. The research shows female users as more users of cell phones for social networking than their male counterparts. With constant networking, the participants indicate that they were able to strengthen their friendships. It is said that cell phones have revolutionized family and work life by increasing family and work flexibility thus enabling coordination of schedules, tasks and time. This has been important to those working outside the normal working time and places. However, social networking propagated by cell phones could also reduce physical interaction among families and friends which could have devastating effects. How Cell Phones Have Changed Technology The advent of cell phones technologically reshaped the world. It invaded the landline telephones, watches industry, camera industry and even the TV and music industries, bringing forth mobility and ease of accessibility. The ability to download music online and play using players installed on cell phones have transformed the entertainment industry, further allowing users to customize the ringtones of callers. Workplaces have been revolutionized such that one does to have to be in the office to talk on phone, check emails or organize their work schedules as cell phones particularly smartphones provide the capability for these activities. In healthcare, McGillicuddy et al. observe that cell phones have enabled remote monitoring, a sustainable and effective strategy for improving health outcomes, facilitating provider-patient communication, reducing costs involved in chronic illnesses and improving adherence to medical regimens. Kaplan appreciates the significant role played by cell phones in propagating “telemedicine” thus positive health outcomes (2). The financial industry has also technologically benefitted from the cell phone technology as it has enabled mobile banking, payments and branchless banking, saving considerable resources for both the providers and customers. The technology in intelligence in most countries has been transformed with cell phones being used in tracking. How Cell Phones Have Impacted on Foreign Relations Cell phones have made the world a small community, easing interaction among various countries with Prasad (43) appreciating the ubiquitous network created by the integration of WLANs, 4G and other networks accessible on cell phones. Cell phones being widely used to distribute content have enabled the spiral transfer of information from foreign countries hence putting the whole world at par in the available information. Through social networking applications, texting and voice or video calls, effective communication among countries becomes effective. Finally, with the globalization of cell phone manufacturing companies, O’Brien notes that the employment opportunities provided improves relations among various countries due to supply-consumption relationship. However, cell phones have also been commonly used as remote detonators to propagate terrorist attacks on other nations thus jeopardizing foreign relations. Recommendation Prasad (43) acknowledges that for full benefits of cell phones be realized, its adoption should be encouraged. Nonetheless, caution should be taken as with improper use, cell phones could turn out to be harmful rather than being the technology to positively impact human life. As such, old cell phones should be properly disposed off or donated for refurbishment and distribution to the needy. Laws that protect the environment against the harmful effect of cell phones such as the illegalization of disposing of cell phones in trash in Maine, California and Westchester County should be adopted globally. There would also be need for adoption of appropriate cell phone etiquette to ensure that a user does not become a nuisance to proximate others (Banjo, Hu, and Sundar 132). Conclusion Cell phones have been widely adopted as tools of communication globally, with its additional features providing the capability for much more functionalities. In spite of the various disadvantages associated with their usage, cell phones have positively transformed the society, technology, communication and foreign relations. As such, it would be the duty of human beings to adopt appropriate usage so as to continue reaping from the associated benefits. Works Cited Banjo, Omotayo, Yifeng Hu, and S. Shyam Sundar. “Cell Phone Usage and Social Interaction with Proximate Others: Ringing in a Theoretical Model.” The Open Communication Journal 2 (2008): 127 – 135. Eapen, Charu, Bhaskaranand Kumar, and Anil K. Bhat. “Prevalence of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in Cell Phone Users.” Journal of Musculoskeletal Research 13.3 (2010): 137 – 145. Goggin, Gerard. Cell Phone Culture: Mobile Technology in Everyday Life. Routeledge: Oxon OX, 2006. Hakoama, Mikiyasu and Shotaro Hakoyama. “The Impact of Cell Phone Use on Social Networking and Development among College Students.” The American Association of Behavioral and Social Sciences 15 (2011): 1 – 20. Kaplan, W. A. “Can the Ubiquitous Power of Mobile Phones be used to Improve Health Outcomes in Developing Countries?” Globalization and Health 2.9 (2006): 1 – 14. Klemens, Guy. The Cellphone: The History and Technology of the Gadget that Changed the World. North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2010. McGillicuddy, J. W. et al. “Patient Attitudes Toward Mobile Phone-Based Health Monitoring: Questionnaire Study Among Kidney Transplant Recipients.” Journal of Medical Internet Research 15.1 (2013). Web. 9 February 2013. Mitchel, K. J. et al. “Cell Phone Usage Among Adolescents in Uganda: Acceptability for Relaying Health Information.” Health Education Research 2 (2011): 1 -12. O’Brien, Kevin J. “Sunset for the European Mobile Phone Industry?” NYTimes.com. The New York Times, 10 February 2008. Web. 9 February 2013. Prasad, Ramjee, eds. Globalization of Mobile and Wireless Communications: Today and in 2020. Springer Science+Business: New York, 2011. Read More