How Cell Phones Have Become a Danger to Us - Research Paper Example

May 14 Discuss how Cell phones have become a danger to us The invention and recent development that have surrounded the use of cell phones has changed the whole globe tremendously. Since their inventions in the 1980s, most of the adult and youth population between the ages of 7-18 years now own them, making it the most widely owned gadget together with radios and television sets. Traditional cell phones had the basic features mainly for making calls and sending short text messages plus a few other basic features (Marquez, Para 6). Moreover, with changes in technology, different preferences and needs of the population, cell phones manufacturers design cell phones to meet these needs of different groups. The total number of users with cell phones is currently at 10 million worldwide (Corbett, 1). This is occasioned by the increase in the number of cell phone manufacturers in the market, hence leading to thousands of handsets available in the market lowering their prices. Today cell phones have features such as internet connectivity that enables them to browse the internet and download information. It enables transactions to take place and enhance communication between people through social sites. There is instant messaging service that enables them to send messages to peers online. Bluetooth and infrared connectivity has enabled users to send and receive files between interconnected cell phones. Electronic book reader capability enables the user to read and access online e-books and read them at their own convenient time. Mobile phones today have mp3, 3gp and online streaming capability that make them a form of entertainment for users. The user can download, save and listen to music and watch videos at their time of liking. Software companies have developed software’s like apple, opera, iphone that enable users to customize phones to their needs. In addition, with all these developments in the cell phone industry, there are several negative influences of cell phones use. Excessive use of cell phones has brought about health problems to the user. Cell phones communicate using microwave radiations that damage brain cells leading to increased chances of brain cancer. Use of cell phones for more than 500 hours per month, for 10 years, increase chances of brain cancer to the individual. Cell phones are known to cause mild and severe headaches to the users, together with ear irritability when the user talks on the phone for long periods. There is the irritability and fatigue caused when the user talks for a long time, as the radioactive materials that it emits reaches the brain cells and enters the nervous system (ControlYourImpact, p 1). Prolonged use of handset accessories such as headphones and earphones can lead to partial deafness. Additionally another health hazard is placement of cell phones near the male productive organs that may increase infertility among men. Cell phones emit radiations to receive the signal whether they are in use or not and this has been seen to reduce the sperm count in males. The design and manufacturing of newer versions of cell phones has influenced the individual and society negatively. Presence of newer versions means that to the user there will be the need to buy another cell phone and discard the older one, even though it is still functional. This may lead to extra expenses as the user acquires the new handset or upgrades some of the features. Features like mp3 capability added with accessories like a headset and Bluetooth have made the users enjoy their music without having to use their phones. Another feature is the gaming capability of these handsets that make users concentrate on games in the cell phone or online even in public and other places. This causes lapse in concentration and may make the individual ignore others and act carelessly making them susceptible to accidents. Moreover, users may talk in the public or even pick their calls or send messages in places where the usage of cell phones is restricted for example, in banks, hospitals becoming a nuisance to the others (Corbett, 4). Since cell phones are made up of radioactive materials, metals and chemicals, their disposal becomes an issue. The dumping of faulty or outdated gadgets in the ground, whereby they are not biodegradable causes serious environmental problems. The radioactive elements affect and even kill microorganisms in the ground that are supposed to decompose organisms. The radioactive elements affect fertility and make stunt growth of plants. These plants may have high radioactive elements that may affect animals that may come and consume it. Metals and plastics do not decompose hence stay in the ground for long periods. This makes the land unfit for any farming activity and physically harm living organisms using that land (Environmental Working Group). Misuse of cell phones has led to increased carelessness by users in public hence more deaths. Users may use take calls while walking in the streets. They concentrate on the call and may end up being run over by vehicles as one attempts to cross the streets. The use of text messages has made the user focus on the screen on the cell phone and not on the street. Furthermore, he/she may absentmindedly cross the road without looking or even bump into others or objects hurting himself. Users have listened to music, watch videos or play games on their cell phones in the street, losing concentration and cause accidents. There are increased cases where people have been found using their cell phones while absent-mindedly driving motor vehicles or bicycles. Though the law prohibits the use of cell phones while driving in many countries in the world, users have been known completely ignore this and to do just that. Today, many road accidents that have occurred are through the driver’s loss of concentration on the road by either trying to receive or make a call using their cell phones. Additionally, others are known to write text messages while driving leading to accidents as they cannot concentrate on both (Marquez Para 17 and Lenhart et al, Para 2). Radiation from the cell phones signals is seen as an unsafe safety standards issue. The use of cell phones in places with many electronic types of equipment affects the functionality of this equipment. Moreover, use of cell phones in places with radioactive equipment such as hospital x-ray rooms is prohibited as the emissions affect the working and results of the machines. Cell phones usage in airplanes on takeoff and landing affect communication between the airplane and the control tower and may cause accidents (Control Your Impact). Advanced features in the cell phones as the use of social media sites has been known to infringe the privacy of individuals. There are cases where an individual receives anonymous messages or call. A person may be called and asked questions that violate their constitutional freedom and make their use of cell phones difficult. There are cases where messages, pictures or videos of violent or explicit content are sent to users of cell phones making them psychologically uncomfortable. There is the increase of spam messages that several service providers may send to users of cell phones. Although the social media sites allow for interaction, a user may use cell phones to bully others in these sites and make it uncomfortable for them to work (Lenhart et al, Para 6). Cell phones have changed the dynamic of the communication process and have negatively influenced the communication skills of the users. Short text messaging and instant messaging has brought about the use of codes and symbols in communication. Prolonged use of these codes makes the user forget how to communicate with other people face to face (Marquez Para 9). Cell phones have reduced the need for non-verbal communication that is perceived to be very powerful. People can reach others by just calling or texting without the actual need to physically move and locate the other person. On the negative side, this increases informality of the communication process thus, making people become highly dependent on these gadgets to communicate. The use of cell phone in education and research is seen as positive steps in aiding students achieve academic excellence. The same cell phone has been seen to influence the education sector negatively. There is a reported rise in the number of students who carry their cell phones to class and then use it to write text messages to their peers or make calls. Students have been noticed browsing the internet and mostly social network sites in class. There are cases where they play games or listen to music and watch videos instead of concentrating in the lecture. Despite numerous efforts to make students switch off their mobile phones in class, there is no change. Ringing phones and messages sent by students in class has been disrupting lectures in many academic institutions. Cell phones have brought a new dimension during exam time. Irregularities in the exam caused by the increased use of cell phones by students in many states in the world, has increased tremendously as students try to find an easier way to pass. Internet enabled cell phones has enabled the students to browse, find exam answers and use it in the exams. Cell phones with advanced features like e-book readers have enabled students to scan their notes, save them in their phones and use during exam time. The use of text messaging has allowed students to aid their colleagues with answers. Moreover, other advanced features like voice recorders enable a student to record the lecture notes and use head sets to listen to it in exam time (Hilton, 6-9). Cell phone users have been subjected to severe cases of fraud where some unscrupulous individuals send messages or call individuals and entice them to give some of their private information like bank accounts details. Many users have fallen to these schemes as they normally involve promises of large deposits of money in their accounts, and end up losing the finances they have in their accounts. There are the betting games and sites that cell phone users in the internet are tricked into joining or subscribe their telephone numbers, losing airtime in their phone to these individuals over services they may not require. Cell phones are seen to break social norms and relationships between people (Corbett, 4). First, when a call is made and not received for a number of times, a person may feel as though, they are being rejected. People have been known to break conversations they had to pick calls or make calls and to text. Others feel rejected when the call takes a lot of time on the call or when it seems that their presence is not needed. When a spouse or a person calls the other and find them out of coverage for long periods without a reason it causes tension and anxiety for them. Social sites have become a haven for loners and people who have low self-esteem. Cell phones have allowed them to join social sites, create relationships and friendships there with people they do not physically know. These makes them spend more time on their cell phones and enter their own virtual world further reduce the need to form friendships with others (Corbett, 6). The use of cell phones is increasing, and cuts across all occupations socially, economically, culturally and educationally. There will be an increase in cell phone usage as the population grows and newer versions and features being designed and made available. Approach to these cell phones by individuals needs to be taken with precaution as it may cause more harm than good for them in the end (Hilton, 3-4). Recent findings have shown that if not well evaluated and taken into consideration it will cause serious damage to both the user and the society. Works cited Marquez, Cesar. “Negative Aspects of Text Messaging.” Boarderzine, Journalism Across Frontiers October 2009. Web. 14th May 2012. Corbett, Alaxia. “Cellular Phones Influence(s) and Impact(s) on Social Interactions and Interpersonal Relationships.” December 2009. Web. 14th May 2012. Lenhart, Amanda et al. “Teen and Mobile Phones.” Pew Internet April 2010. Web. 14th may 2012. ControlYourImpact. “7 Disadvantages of Cell Phones.” Web. 14th May 2012. Environmental Working Group. “Cell Phone Radiation Science Review.” Web. 14th may 2012. Hilton, Marisen, Brock Armour and Yendu- Seon Sambiani. “Cell Phones in Education” November 2012. Web. 13th may 2012. Read More