Cellphones: How Have They Changed Us Socially - Research Paper Example

Outline THESIS: One cannot ignore the profound effects cellphones have and continue to have on different facets of human life, especially socially. Introduction I. Positive impact of cellphones A. Enhanced communication B. Increased convenience C. Opened new marketing platform II. Negative impact of cellphones A. Increased fraudulent crimes B. Promoted anti-social behaviors C. Conclusion Name: Professor: Subject: Date: Cellphones: How have they changed us socially? Introduction One cannot ignore the profound effects cellphones have and continue to have on different facets of human life, especially socially. In order to detect the social changes, it is prudent to compare society before and after companies introduced cellphones to consumers. Many remain conflicted about whether the impact has been positive or negative. However, just like all other types of technology, it is safe to presume that cellphones have resulted in both favorable and unfavorable changes socially. Among the benefits created by the use of cellphones include enhanced communication, increased convenience, and opened up a new marketing platform. Contrastingly, the drawbacks created include increased fraudulent crimes, occurrence of anti-social behavior, and likelihood of accidents. These are further discussed below in the essay. I. Positive impact of cellphones A. Enhanced communication Cellphones have enhanced communication between people, as people find it easier to use the devices to relay information to each other. Initially, cellphones were bigger in size, which made it difficult for people to carry around. During this time, people relied on non-portable telecommunication devices such as fax machines and landline phones among others to disseminate information. These devices physically limited people’s ability to relay messages in real-time. With companies competing to make gadgets that are more portable, cellphones are now smaller and lighter. In addition, innovative tech gurus are increasing the number of applications that are compatible with cellphones, which expose people to a new platform; social media. Through social media applications such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and many others more people are able to share their ideologies, preferences and activities. Many liberation movements credit their success to technology, which enabled them to spread their ideologies to people in different geographical locations. In countries ruled by oppressive regimes, text messaging (SMS) came in handy when sanctions forced Internet providers to disable the service with the aim of stopping the spread of propaganda internally and externally; for example, in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. These factors are compelling more people to invest in cellphones, a decision that has functioned to increase the level of social interaction. B. Increased convenience As people get more pressed for time due to their increasingly busy lifestyles, many gravitate towards choosing alternatives that promise convenience. Cellphones are at the top of these alternatives, as they offer users multiple services that they are able to access at their own convenience. The different applications installed on cellphones allow users to access many things at the click of a button. For example, people no longer have to drive to shopping complexes to buy different items, as they can simply order and pay for the item using their phones. Besides shopping, cellphones have made it easier for people to engage in monetary transactions without physically being present. Cellphone service providers liaise with banks to provide convenient financial services to their clients such as clients are able to check their bank balance, withdraw or deposit money using their cellphones. “M-pesa” is a cellphone-based money transfer service provided by a Kenyan company called Safaricom after its launch into the market in 2007 (Saylor 304). The service has and continues to transform the mobile-banking sector around the world, as it laid the blueprint for similar products. Convenience offered by cellphones has freed up time for individuals to engage in constructive activities. Arguably, some are of the opinion that people are using cellphones to create their unique social identity or define their niche. This is because they are able to change values, cultural norms; therefore, in turn create their own culture (Gupta 1). C. Opened new marketing platform Businesses are now using cellphones to reach their intended market, a decision driven by the fact that social media is a new marketing platform. Different social media applications held on cellphones’ interfaces make it easier for users to view goods and services advertised by businesses. In fact, most businesses are now using celebrities with a large social media following to market their products. For example, reality television star Kim Kardashian and her family have a great social media presence, which enables them to make the products and services they mention about trend across the different social media platforms. Trending increases a product’s popularity, which in turn increases demand, and finally profits for the company associated with the product. Presently, many people are constantly browsing through the Internet using the applications on their cellphones. This allows them to keep up with trending subjects, which is good for businesses. It is crucial for businesses to capitalize on the new marketing fronts created by different technological innovations, as failure to do so renders them obsolete. II. Negative impact of cellphones A. Increased fraudulent crimes Recent upgrades on cellphones have resulted in the increase of fraudulent cyber crimes. In order to keep up with competitors, cellphone manufacturers are always striving to create devices with superior operating platforms that provide users with faster Internet connectivity. In addition, they strive to create devices that are compatible with the countless applications present in the market. Despite their good intentions, these high-tech devices are subject to external manipulation from people with ulterior motives. Many people find it convenient to use their cellphones to store all their important information such as serial numbers, banking information. Often these details are stored on email applications such as Gmail or Yahoo mail for ease of access. Criminals find it easy to hack into phones, which in turn contain users’ original email accounts set as the default account. In an effort to combat terrorism, governments took on a more proactive role in monitoring the activities of their citizens. Cellphones became useful devices, as law enforcement agencies used these gadgets to spy on individuals’ activities. Wiretapping, although a violation of privacy, is an investigation tool sanctioned by legislative policies. In the US, legislative Acts such as the Foreign Intelligence Act (1971) sanctions the warrantless surveillance of citizens deemed a threat to the safety of the country. B. Promoted anti-social behaviors Generally, many agree that cellphones promote anti-social behaviors. However, conflict lies in whether or not this assumption cuts across the board for people of different age groups. There is a considerable difference in how people of different ages use their cellphones. Research done by the Pew Research Center sought to investigate these differences whereby they concluded that young people aged 18-29 years predominantly used their phones for purposes other than calling, and the reverse held true for those above 50 years. In the US, 21% of 50 year-olds and over used their phones to access the Internet whereas 73% of 18-29 year-olds used their cellphones for the same purpose (Pew Research Center 1). From these statistics, it is apparent that younger people use their phones more compared to their older counterparts. As such, they are prone to engaging in anti-social behaviors when interacting with those around them. For example, in a dinner setting, older people do not use their cellphones unless they receive an urgent call. In such instances, they excuse themselves to hastily finish the call and return to their companions at the dinner. This is seldom the case for younger people who might constantly be using their cellphones to send texts and update their various social media applications. This disregard for those around them qualifies as anti-social behaviors. C. Increases likelihood of accidents Cellphone use increases the likelihood of accidents occurring especially when the user engages in activities that require their full concentration. A common misconception held by many is that they are capable of multitasking without impairing the results of the tasks they were undertaking. Psychiatrist Hallowell Edward posits that multitasking is impossible; in fact, he claims that it is a “mythical activity” (Hallowell 1-2) (PewResearchCenter). Just like other researchers with the same viewpoint, he bases his argument on cognitive delays that impede the brain from switching between tasks. According to these researchers, insufficient attention results from multitasking, which in turn increases the occurrence of errors. This is especially so when people engage in activities that utilize similar or higher cognitive processes. Driving while simultaneously talking on a cellphone is likely to result in catastrophic consequences, as paying attention and thinking while talking utilize higher cognitive processes. This explains why it is advisable to avoid using one’s cellphone when driving or handling complex machinery. Conclusion In conclusion, it is apparent that any form of technology affects society in both unfavorable and favorable ways. As such, cellphones have and continue to change people from a social perspective. From one end, cellphones have enhanced communication, increased convenience, and opened up a new platform. Contrastingly, cellphones have also increased the occurrence of fraudulent cyber crimes, promoted anti-social behaviors, and increased the likelihood of accidents. It is up to people to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks before considering whether they ought to invest in one. Works Cited Gupta, Gireesh. "Mobile Phones Revolutionizing the Global Culture." Gaston Gazette. . Hallowell, Edward M. Crazy Busy: Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap! Strategies for Handling Your Fast-Paced Life. Ballantine Books, 2007. PewResearchCenter. "Global Digital Communication:Texting, Social Networking Popular Worldwide." 20 December 2011. Pew Research Center. April 2015 . Saylor, Michael. The Mobile wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything. Perseus Books/ Vanguard Press, 2012. Read More