Abstract
Mobile phones are a vital invention to have in this continuously evolving world of technology. There are many influences of using mobile phones, of which everyone is aware of; however, at the same time, there are several negative influences associated with the use of mobile phones.
Due to mobile media, it is now possible to communicate for free, listen to music on the go, be updated continuously, and even watch movies at our own comfort. Nonetheless, this new technological invention has influenced our culture and values, some in a positive way and some negatively.
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Although mobile phones have brought people together, bridging the existing geographical gap, it does not mean it has not failed to alienate society. As useful as mobile phones are, it is essential o use them accordingly to avoid their negative impact. If people use mobile phones in the right way, then we will get benefit from it, if mobile phones are used negatively, then we will reap nothing but harm.
Influences of Mobile Phones: Pros and Cons
Mobile phones are portable devices that are mainly used for communication purposes. The devices have various features that help to support a different kind of communication among individuals. Recently, mobile phones have become part of daily living, increasing the need to own the device. The increased technology has played a significant role in the development of sophisticated features in the mobile phones that aim at ensuring that the devices are effectively used for communication purposes. The primary feature that increases mobile phones’ usability is the use of the internet (Chartrand, 2016). The mobile phone devices with internet features are used more than those without the feature considering the advancement in communication.
The use of mobile phones creates a significant controversy, which is an aspect that is based on the advantages and disadvantages that associate with the devices. One side of the debate addresses the pros related to the use of mobile phones in day to day activities. The first aspect mentioned in this case refers to the fact that mobile phones are highly portable, thus an important feature that increases the usability of the devices (Hardell, 2018). Secondly, mobile phones have a significant role in promoting effective communication between individuals. Considering the nature of the devices, individuals can communicate regardless of the physical distance.
The proponents of the issue maintain that mobile phone devices keep people in touch, considering the use of different features, such as direct messaging services and phone calls. The third significant aspect that relates to the use of mobile phones involves easy access to the internet. Mobile phones play a vital role in enabling an individual to access the internet without having a computer. Easy access to the internet helps to access different portals and sites such as emails, which are part of our daily lives. Additionally, access to the internet enables mobile phone users to engage in social interactions with individuals across the world, thus reducing loneliness. Lastly, mobile phones are considered a useful learning tool considering the different features and applications that can be installed. Students may use various applications in mobile phones to engage in virtual learning, which helps to boost engagement with varying materials of education. The use of the devices may enable the students to be more innovative by ensuring that they can explore different materials that relate to their study.
On the other hand, there are significant cons that are addressed by opponents on the influences of mobile phones. The first notable aspect of consideration relates to the level of addiction associated with mobile phone use. The different features and applications installed in the mobile phones create dependency and overreliance on the devices. Addiction to mobile phones affects everyone regardless of age, thus indicating the negative influences associated with mobile phones (Chartrand, 2016). Secondly, mobile phone devices are associated with increased cases of cyberbullying, which makes children and adults more vulnerable to cybercrime. The easy access of the internet is a primary factor that increases cyberbullying, considering that the devices allow an individual to connect to the internet without supervision. Another vital issue that relates to the easy access to the internet includes sexual exploitation, which is an aspect that is prompted by different features and applications that allows the users to send explicit messages and pictures (Hardell, 2018). Additionally, the use of mobile phone devices has a significant role in reducing social interactions considering features such as games, which occupy the minds of the users. Lastly, the use of mobile phones is associated with an increased level of cheating in schools, whereby students use mobile devices to find answers in an examination.
Mobile phones have a significant role in society as they enhance communication and social interaction among people. However, it is necessary to focus on the proper use of the devices to avoid the negative impact.
Literature Review
Wireless communication has become one of the fastest ways of communication on the planet to the extent that it is almost impossible to imagine modern daily life without access to a mobile phone. As one of the most successful inventions of the 20th century, mobile phones have brought convenience to users at an unprecedented level. However, overindulgence in the use of mobile phones has brought about specific adverse effects on users that risk destroying social relationships as well as the physical health of the users. Mobile phones have become an essential gadget of communication and also for helping individuals plan their day and meetings. For instance, the different methods of communication ranging from calls, text messages, and communication through social media applications, enable individuals to stay in touch with others who are both far and near (Kneidinger-Muller, 2017).
The convenience of mobile phones is mainly the ease of communication through various channels available on mobile phones. The influence of mobile phones is both on the positive and negative sides, depending on how individual users use their phones. Mobile phones can be used to pay daily utilities, using various apps available, in addition to providing entertainment and improving communication. At the same time, mobile phones can bring about addiction to their use, which can cause a distraction from carrying out essential matters, and they can also be a cause of depression due to the influence of social media, especially on teenagers. I seek to examine the influence of mobile phones through reviewing the works of others, to ascertain both the positive and negative impacts of mobile phones in society.
In this literature review, an examination of scholarly work will be carried out on the influence of mobile phones that includes the pros and cons of their usage. Additionally, the literature review will provide definitions of terminologies used in the descriptions of mobile phones, as well as a brief history of mobile phones as a technology. The paper will present both positive and negative influences of mobile phone users, and the current debates among scholars on the positive and negative impact on the matter. The scholarly work will be used from research carried out by scholars as well as arguments presented by others. Examining the previous work of scholars on the topic is essential as it helps the researcher to have a basis for presenting their arguments. The literature review will also help to determine the gap in knowledge, if it exists, on the topic of the pros and cons of mobile phone use among people in society.
The cellular phone technology first emerged in the United States of America. Mobile radio systems have been in use since the 1900s by sailors to communicate from their ships to the shores (Kneidinger-Muller, 2017). Also, police officers had the radios installed in some of their cars as early as 1921 in Detroit. After the Second World War, the blending of landline telephones and radio communication was made possible through the commercial mobile radiophone, which could allow users to make calls from fixed landline phones to mobile phones around the year 1946. By 1946, there were more than 1.5 million users of mobile phones in America. The mobile phones at that time were large gadgets that consumed an enormous amount of energy; hence they were mounted to cars. Scholars like Thomas Farley note that during the transmission of a call, the headlights of a vehicle would automatically dim as the call would consume much energy. More research was channeled into the production of more efficient mobile phones that required less power when sending and receiving signals. In 1973, Martin Cooper, who was working with the mobile phone company Motorola was able to make the first cellular call using a handheld cell phone. From then on, modifications have been done on handheld mobile phones to date by various telecommunications companies (Kneidinger-Muller, 2017)
In the present day, mobile phones are primarily referred to as smartphones due to their ability to perform various activities. Other than verbal communication, smartphones are now able to be used for playing games, paying bills through multiple applications, browsing the internet, setting reminders on calendars, connecting socially through virtual platforms where people can engage and share videos and photos, among many other tasks (Volkmer&Lermer, 2019). Teenagers, adults, and the elderly use mobile phones for different purposes. Many teenagers tend to use their phones for social purposes. Adults, conversely, use their phones for communication as well as organizing their schedules, paying utility bills, and in some instances, for social media. Most older adults keep mobile phones for communication and entertainment purposes, but also they use their mobile phones for monitoring their health through various mobile phone applications.
The immoderate use of mobile phones can result in some negative effects socially, as well as have adverse health outcomes for users. One of the most researched areas in the health effects associated with mobile phones is their connection to causing cancer. This area raises conflicting ideals and opinions between scientists. However, a section of scientists agrees that cell phones pose a particular risk to the health of users who are continually using their gadgets. According to research carried out by various scholars, individuals who spend many hours taking on mobile phones, have a 50% chance of developing cancer of the brain (Liu et al., 2017). The scientists allude this to the fact that the radio waves produced by mobile phones are potentially harmful to the human brain. As a result, the prolonged use of mobile phones during conversations affects the brain.
Other than the risk of cancer, the extended use of mobile against the head and ear may also cause adverse effects on one’s nervous system. When the nervous system is affected, users may report frequency in headaches, shortness of temper, sleep disorders, depression, and decreased attention spans (Zheng & Lee, 2016). An overdependence on mobile phone use also causes loss of human contact as individuals are accustomed to dealing with others through mobile phones. Social skills begin to reduce, and this puts strains on real human relations. Young people and teenagers are especially susceptible to addiction to mobile phones and can even suffer a mental breakdown if access to mobile phones is limited. Addiction to mobile phone use makes individuals lose touch with reality, leading to psychological problems and the inability to deal with face to face interactions with real human beings.
There are also positive effects of mobile phones, which cannot be overshadowed by the aforementioned adverse effects. In a survey carried out in more than 11 countries, many people have positive attitudes towards mobile phones (Liu et al., 2017). In many countries involved in the survey, individuals indicated that mobile phones have been good to them for personal use as they have positively impacted education and the economy. One of the positive remarks of mobile phones across the eleven countries is how mobile phones are helping people to maintain contact with friends and relatives using various social media platforms. Additionally, access to mobile phones enables people to remain updated on the latest news and information that might be of concern to them. Access to entertainment services and platforms is one profound benefit of mobile phones in the modern world (Kneidinger-Muller, 2017). Individuals no longer have to wait for their favorite television shows to be aired on television, but one can get access to these shows by a simple touch on their mobile phones.
Additionally, mobile phones have various gaming platforms that help individuals to relax and blow some steam after some stressful or intensive activity. Mobile phones also help in times of emergencies in that individuals can be able to communicate and quickly ask for help from relevant authorities easily. In education, mobile phones can help teachers and students to remain in constant engagement easily. Through the internet, teachers and students can easily communicate by sending out educational materials as well as receiving feedback from students (Volkmer&Lermer, 2019). For individuals who have speech difficulties, mobile phones have revolutionized their communication as they can now be able to text what they need to communicate in case the persons communicating with them are not able to understand them correctly.
The examination of scholarly works on the influence of mobile phones in society shows that, indeed, cellphones affect a significant part of the lives of individuals in society. On the positive side, mobile phones are excellent in improving communication among people. Communication between people over vast geographical distances has been enhanced by mobile phone use. The history of the innovation leading to the invention of handheld mobile phones indicates that communication is a primary tool in the interaction of human beings within society. Modern cellphones have gone over and beyond meeting the communication need of mobile phones as they are used for other things such as relaxation, education, commerce, and also for security surveillance.
Body
Fundamentally, the role played by mobile phones in enhancing communication, and social interaction cannot be overemphasized. Technological advancements have resulted in tremendous innovations in mobile devices, including the development of smartphones. Muntermann, Byungtae& Shim (2010) find that the use of social media platforms has revamped, with some companies recording billions of users across the globe. Organizations such as Facebook and Twitter have gained worldwide recognition and continue to implement strategies to attract more users. Such plans include examples such as adding more human-like interactive tools that have made such social media communications more enjoyable. Also, due to their portability and mechanism, mobile phones have made interactions among people much more efficient and fast regardless of the physical distance between them (Muntermann, Byungtae, and Shim, 2010; Hardwell, 2018). With chatting and calling features, one can easily communicate with people in other locations in real-time. Thus, mobile phones have revolutionized social interactions.
Further, mobile phones are rapidly enhancing learning at various levels, as observed in institutions across the world. Smartphones, for instance, provide features such as storage, viewing files, and accessing the internet, which is useful in learning—these functionalities help in daily classroom tasks such as taking notes, research, and storing information. Students may use applications in mobile phones to engage in virtual learning, which helps to boost engagement with different learning materials. Joan (2015) identifies augmented mobile reality as an innovation that presents various prospects to enhance learning in tertiary institutions. The technology employs low latency and high transfer rates, both of which are practicable using current and upcoming cellular networks such as 5G. Importantly, smartphones have proved useful in presenting opportunities to students (Tho et al., 2018). Learners can explore information that relates to their study areas. In essence, mobile phones have provided practical learning tools, given their capabilities.
However, uncontrolled use of mobile phones may have adverse effects on users. The increased dependency on smartphones has exposed users to various vulnerabilities as well as unhealthy uses. Multiple studies affirm this presupposition, where the value derived from mobile devices continues to raise several questions among scholars and other parties(Tertadian, 2012; Nyamawe&Mtonyole, 2014). As Tertadian (2012) holds, mobile phones may have helped to increase social interactions between people across the globe, but they cause harm, especially on enhancing interpersonal interactions (Tertadian, 2012). Smartphones and other modern communicating devices have significantly replaced physical interactions to a certain extent, given the reduced physical engagements. Also, despite their usefulness in enhancing learning, mobile phones are associated with increased cases of cheating in schools where students use them to search for answers to assignments and exams online and copy them (Nyamawe&Mtonyole, 2014). The research reveals that technology can be as detrimental to learning as it can be useful. In effect, users can only enjoy the benefits presented by mobile devices with established controls.
Another drawback of mobile phones is the level of addiction associated with their use. As earlier mentioned, high dependency on smartphones is evident across all demographics. The features and applications in mobile phones can lead to addictions when uncontrollably relied upon by users (Chartrand, 2016). For instance, manufacturers and developers are working to improve the adaptive features of mobile devices, thus enhancing usability. Examples of such functions include voice commands, screen rotation, and LED notifications. A similar study finds a high association between the increased smartphone dependency among young adults and the high accessibility and mobility of the devices (Yu & Sussman, 2020). Thus, addiction derives primarily from the use of smartphones as a medium, and more importantly, the features offered by such devices. Other deviant activities such as viewing pornography are promoted via mobile platforms, thereby making them depraved gadgets to have in the wrong hands (Hardell, 2018). Aspects such as the accessible internet and social media platforms are proving to be challenging to monitor, especially among teenagers. Addiction is a vice resulting from the continued use of mobile devices without any controls.
Conclusion
To conclude, in this era of advancing technology, mobile phones indeed play a significant role in society. It is one of the most important inventions that has brought us many advantages, but it also has its drawbacks. It is undeniable that mobile phones have brought about many positive influences in modern society. Additionally, the integration of mobile phone use with the internet has enabled mobile phone users to have access to much information that can be used for both good and bad purposes.
Mobile phones are a marvelous invention that continuously paves the way for progress, especially with the ease of communication. For this reason, it is unfair to point our fingers at mobile phones for the few cons that come with the package. Instead, we ought to take advantage of the many benefits of mobile phones to help in the advancement of humankind. If people use mobile phones in the right way, then we will get benefit from it, if mobile phones are used negatively, then we will reap nothing but harm.
References
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