Cellular telephones essential tool or infernal devices - Admission/Application Essay Example

Cellular Telephones Until recently, cellular telephones were considered a luxury good and a preserve of the rich. This has however changed great over the last decade or so, and today, they are viewed as a necessity across all sectors of the society. Today, mobile phones are not just for communicating with in each other, but increasingly serve the role of a window to the world around us. Checking emails, surfing for information in the web, conducting business, entertainment, making reservations and bookings, and getting in touch with friends on social sites are some of the daily usages of our mobile phones. Advanced features installed in mobile phones make it possible for phones to serve the purpose of a computer. This means that individuals can do almost all their office jobs using cell phone. All these point to the exquisite manner in which mobile phones work to change the society’s worldview. This paper highlights key ways in which cell phones influence daily lives positively, and gives a brief of the noted disadvantages. Keeping in touch Thanks to technology in the advent of cell phones, staying in touch with family, business clients, and employees and friends is now easier than ever. From the comfort of ones seat, car, office or campsite it is possible to know the whereabouts of the people one cares about. It is possible to use cellular phones to write and send emails and short messages (sms) to several people, sending important notice or just to make plans. Parents can use cell phones to keep an eye on their children for safety without infringing on their privacy and freedom to mingle with their peers since they can always call and know where they are, whom they are with and what they are doing. Cell phones for monitoring children have such features that allow for setting call times, so that in the event that they do not receive a call at a certain time, they will know that something is wrong thus take necessary action. Other phones have inbuilt GPS systems, which allows for easy tracking of the phones location at any given time. This feature has been used extensively by security firms especially those in motor tracking business (Arceneaux and kavoori 21). Emergency response Through cellular phones, most report of catastrophes, accidents, and general emergencies has been made possible. An accident victim will most likely use his/her cell phone to call his conducts or notify the ambulance unit for assistance. In cases of serious health issues, including cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and any other condition, the presence of cell phones fitted with emergency dial numbers allows an individual to communicate to care givers in an instant. Evident in Arceneaux and kavoori, this has been particularly helpful since such phones fitted with emergency speed dials enable emergency response services locate the victim through satellite (121). A case in point of how cell phones come in handy during emergencies is the recent earthquake disaster in Turkey where one of the victims buried deep in debris used their cell phone to alert the rescue services his location. Business efficiency Across the world today, businesses rely heavily on mobile phones to supervise their employees, track shipments and goods on transit, convene meetings, as well as communicate decisions. Advanced phones such as the smart phones, iPhones, blackberries, and ipads have inbuilt features that enhance business by allowing for linkage to the business email, computers and other phones. Many organizations provide their employees with group cell phones that are easy to pass decisions and feedbacks from far. Journalists perhaps give another group, which benefits immensely from the use of advanced cell phones fitted with VGA cameras. The allowance to take high quality photographs without necessarily carrying the huge equipment that over the years defined the job advantageously helps journalists. All these uses of the cell phone have made conducting business a lot easier in terms of time, efficiency, and reduced costs. Many business professionals will find it extremely hard to function without a cell phone. Health concerns Mobile phones like any other equipment in the broadcasting and communication industry, food industry, health care and a host of manufacturing industries usually rely on microwave and radio frequencies, which is of concern to the well-being of the society. Advocates for health show concern on the effects of exposure to these frequencies. Earlier researchers seemed to suggest a strong link between long-term exposures to radiation from cell phones with cancer of the nerve connecting the ear to the brains, a link that most recent studies have dismissed. Several other researchers have indicated that there is substantial evidence establishing negative health impacts of these frequencies, citing cataracts, nervous system, and reproductive damage as likely effects (Carlo and Scharm 31). Environmental concerns Concerns over the environmental impacts associated with the infrastructure have increased tremendously. According to The Environmental Magazine, cell phone towers have been known to cause high mortality of migratory birds that fly right into them as well as accidents of aircrafts in the event of poor visibility occasioned by bad weather conditions. Unverified claims by farmer that grazing cows near such towers have often resulted to miscarriages, stillbirths, as well as birth deformities and poor health of the herd. Although no convincing studies have been produced so far, this case brings to the forefront the fears that though beneficial, usage of mobile phones may also be having some grave dangers with it. Social concerns Social concerns of the usage of mobile phones that include the increased rate of access to pornography by children using internet services installed in phones, nuisance and lack of concentration in class by learners, as well as wasting of too much time on social networks by students and employees evidently proof the disadvantages. Cell phones have been associated with many road accidents where individuals are carried away by conversations while driving often leading to fatal accidents. A large number of people have fallen victims to conmen using cell phone to deceive them into deals and blackmails that result into losing their money. These are most prevalent in area where service providers in the phone industry prove money transfer and mini banking services. As communication improves, crimes are nowadays easier to organise and coordinate with a high degree of precision and success. All these concerns have made many people see cell phones in a negative light despite the various positives they gain from them. In conclusion, the use of mobile phones has no doubt influenced positively people’s lives. The world today is made much easier and enjoyable thanks to the great gadget that science and technology have offered to us. However, it is important that more time and resources be dedicated in understanding the real dangers that the use of cellular telephones pose to the populace. Great caution and restraint need to be exercised to ensure that the social evils and misuse of cell phones are mitigated. Work Cited Arceneaux, Noah and kavoori, P. Anandam. The cell phone reader: essays in social transformation. New York: Peter Lang, 2006. Carlo, L. George and Scharm, Martin. Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age. London: Basic Books, 2002. The Environmental magazine. Negative health Effects of Cell Phone Usage. Retrieved on November 21, 2011, from http://www.divinecaroline.com/22178/53000-negative-health-effects-cell-phone#ixzz1eKbJdscW Read More