Effects of Mobile Phone Ownership - Report Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : Effects of mobile phone ownership Australia Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2010 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 The effects of mobile usage in Health 4 The effects of mobile usage in Transport system 6 Effects of mobiles phones in the privacy of the users 7 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10 Introduction Information and communication technology (ICT) is considered to be the key drive towards economic achievement of Australia. The ICT market which deals with telecommunication services and computer accessories is considered to be the largest in Australia and the forth in the Asia-Pacific. The discovery of mobile phones has led to the significant transformation of the telecommunication sector in the entire nation of Australia. Mobile communications handset market is at the peak of the sales as everyone in the region is eager to own one for the purpose of communication. This has led to a rapid increase in the number of mobile users in the region to a figure more than 21 million and enlargement in the market as the manufacturers of the products are introducing more advanced models at a greater rate. According to the report by the international research, conclusive evidences have been found on the damages caused by excessive mobile use in Australia especially in the health status of both long and short term users (Heathcote, 2003). The extreme use of mobile phones is considered as a factor of the advancement and a reform in the lifestyles of the individuals. However it has also some limitations associated with its effects in the environment. The essay below argues out whether usage of mobile phones is safe in reference to the effects it has in the health, transport and maintenance of the privacy by the users. It refers to both negative and positive effects of mobile phone usage in Australia. The effects of mobile usage in Health The figure of the mobile phone users is rapidly increasing each day and it is expected to reach six million by 2013. People are replacing their handsets with the fashionable ones which have sophisticated features to meet the current needs of the consumers in the highly reforming life. More electronic waste is collected around the world and if not well disposed may damage the natural environment. The great use of mobile phones in Australia has resulted to major challenges in the human health and that of the environment. Due to its necessity in life especially its ability to connect individuals and organizations, there is a public assumption about the consequences it is likely to cause in the health status of the individuals (Deutsches, 2003). The handset has poisonous substances which if not well disposed, decompose, seeping into underground water and soil thus being absorbed into the food chain. These substances can also cause health harm if absorbed into the system. The substances include lead which harms almost all organs of the body. This is one of the most dangerous substances to mankind. It damages the central nervous cardiovascular and immune system and if used for a long period of time may result to mental inability characterized by behavioral disorders, reproductive defects and delays in entire development of an individual. Others like Brominated flame retardants which is considered in the prevention of the fires in the mobile phone although they are highly inflammable causes hormonal imbalance resulting to complications in the pregnancies or causes cancer along the reproductive system. Cadmium is another dangerous substance inside the handset which can cause prostrate and lung cancer. It is toxic to some the main systems of the body including: hormonal, respiratory, kidneys, cardiovascular and so on (Mennen, A., 2005, p. 146-148). The effect of the radiation of the mobile phones on the health of the users has captured the attention of most of the researchers due to its rapid use in the world. The handset use electromagnet radiation in the microwave range as many other digital wireless systems. The concern of the Health workers is that the handsets are used so close to the head that the brain is exposed to the waves for a long time than any other part of the body. The other telephone sets which were used before had their antenna mounted far from the mouth piece thus the level of microwaves emissions to which the brain of the users was exposed to be less compared to those of the mobile handsets (Khosrowpour, 2003, p. 12). The World Health Organization reported that around 70% of the radioactive waves emitted by the telephone handsets are absorbed into the human head (Deutsches, 2003). The Global System for Mobile Communications can emit radio waves up to a peak of 2 power watts and many other types have their power outputs depending on the standard of the phone and its regulatory agencies. Microwave radiation is expected to have an effect of dielectric heating in which the living tissues are highly heated by the rotations of the polar molecules emitted by the electromagnetic field hence tissue damage is likely to occur. Excess usage of the cell phones may result to heating of the surface of the head and incase of an increase in the level more than its exposure to the sunlight; the brain’s blood circulation is likely to increase its flow (Diane, 2004, p. 9-13). All the marketers of the mobile phones in Australia are expected to meet the regulations of Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) so as to limit the amount of power emitted by the handsets. This has enabled minimization of significant heating of any part of the body thus reducing its effects in health. The effects of mobile usage in Transport system Mobile phone usage is considered an indication of advancements in technology especially because of the services that it offers. It has reduced the length of the queues in the ports and stations as the travelers are able to buy their tickets online through the use of the handsets. This also has appositive effects in the ability to connect various parties in the system, for example drivers can be able to communication with the operational personnel at the station in case of anything on the way (Hensher & Button, 2000, p 216). According to Derek (2003, p. 457-461), the advancement in the usage of the gargets have as much disadvantages compared to the advantages. The rapid usage especially by the drivers or pilots is responsible for the occurrence of the most of the accidents in transport systems. Most of the undisciplined highway users do not mind using the wireless handsets while still in operation thus causing many crashes because they are not able to follow the traffic rules. Few of the operators may have to stop or pack their automobiles to receive or make calls but majority especially the public transport operators do not mind using the devices as they carry on their operations without taking care the risks they may cause to the lives of the passengers. According to the study by "American Journal of Public Health" more than 16,000 deaths in automobile accidents from 2001 to 2007 were a caused by texting and driving (Deutsches, 2003). Most of the other problems experienced in the transport system are associated with the diverse usage of the mobile phones. The highway robbers and carjackers make use of the mobile phones to organize their troops such that they are able to monitor the movement of the automobile and plan how to go about their operations. This is very common with the automobiles moving across the country side due to the insecurity. The criminals are able to track the drivers through the GPS devices in the handset (Nath, 2009 P. 266) Effects of mobiles phones in the privacy of the users With the advancement in technology, many people believe that the use of and sets is safer compared to the use of the other communication devices because of their individualism. This is because any individual has his or her own private line thus one is sure of delivering any message to a specific person and not going through some other people. These devices however, have some disadvantages in maintenance of the privacy of the users. The handsets have gadgets built inside them which can be used to track and monitor their movements. The GPS devices are used by the policemen and some of the criminals in the operations to track the suspects of targeted people. Many people are using the cell phone device to invade the privacy of the others, for example, where one is and what he or she is doing or somebody’s recent movement (Moore, Bruce & American Planning Association, 2007 P. 12). According to the bulletin Issues 6366-6378 by Haynes & Archibald, (2003), some of features of the mobile phone handsets are used to invade the privacy of the others. The camera component is common in a number of advanced fashions of the cell phones and most of the owners are taking advantage of them to easily cover or take pictures of anything he or she wants. These devices are used to cover the events published in the publications which specialize in spreading false information. As a private garget, many individuals trust their devices with most private and confidential information. The mobile handsets are electronic devices which have operational problem like any other hence the need to be repaired. The technician gets an opportunity to access all the information in it including that which was meant to be most confidential. The small communication gargets are also lost by slipping from the pockets or through pick pocketing and the person who gets it gets all the private and confidential information of the own. Conclusion The rapid advancement in technology has led to changes in the lifestyles of the individuals especially in Australia which is considered to be recording the highest rate of mobile phone usage across the world. Although this is considered to be a move towards economic development, it has both advantages and disadvantages in the lives of the residents especially in terms of privacy, health and transportation. The level of communication has greatly improved. Nevertheless, this has been overshadowed by the numerous negative impacts especially in damaging the health conditions of the users, causing traffic problems and when the mobile phones are used as tools to invade the privacy of the others. Bibliography Mennen, A., 2005, It's Your Call: The Complete Guide to Mobile Phones: Money Saving Tips for Users, Relianz Communications Pty Ltd, New Chennai. Diane, 2004, Telecommunications, research and regulatory efforts on mobile phone health issues report to Congressional requesters, DIANNE Publishing, New York. Derek, C., 2003, Electromagnetic environments and health in building, Taylor & Francis, London. Nath, B., Environmental Management in Practice: Compartments, stressors and sectors: Volume 2 of Environmental Management in Practice, (2)3, 2009: P. 266. Moore, T., Bruce, A. &American Planning Association, The transportation/land use connection: Issues 546-547 of Report (American Planning Association. Planning Advisory Service), Vol 27, Iss 546-547, 2007: P. 12. Haynes, J. & Archibald, J., 2003, The bulletin, Issues 6366-6378, Haynes, J. and Archibald, J.F., Sydney.  Heathcote,P., 2003, 'A' level ICT, Payne Gallway, London. Hensher. D. & Button. K., Handbook of transport modeling: Volume 1 of Handbooks in transport, Vol 1, Iss 3, 2000: p 216 Deutsches, K., 2003, Current Cancer Research 2002, Springer, Salt Lake. Khosrowpour, M. Information technology and organizations: trends, issues, challenges and solutions, Volume 1: Information technology and organizations: trends, issues, challenges and solutions, Vol 1, Iss 2, 2003: p. 12. Read More