Cell Phones-Connecting Us Individually but Disconnecting Socially - Research Paper Example

Cell Phones-Connecting Us Individually but Disconnecting Socially Introduction Mobile phones are now hot commodities among the populations of the world. The total number of subscribers to text messaging services was to reach an estimated 3 billion by the end of 2010 (Reid & Reid, 2007). A child has barely reached the age of 10 nowadays and he or she already has a mobile phone waiting for them at their next birthday. Mobile phone sales are now through the roof and everyone has managed to land their hand on one, even if it is not the state of the art. Mobile technology was first introduced for the sole purpose of voice communication. It did not necessarily have to look good or sleek and neither was Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in a mobile phone a problem. However, with the passage of time all has changed. Humans, prone to fidgeting around with everything around them, manage to introduce new mobile phones with better looks, better features and higher price tags every day. It was the youth that managed to change the way in which mobile phones were looked at. They learned that mobile phones could be used as a cheap and efficient plus a quick way to establish contact with others. The idea suddenly seemed to take off. In order to understand the effect of the mobile phones and their determinant impact on the aspects of daily life along with interaction with not only others but parents, Kerry Devitt and Debi Roker in their article in the journal of Children and Society talk about a study conducted. In that study the children and parents were put in separate groups. The children in their interviews remarked that it was easier to talk to their friends with the help of a simple text, and not so much with respect to their parents. Children on the other hand find that mobile phones make them a lot more vulnerable to mugging and theft than when they would not have a cell phone but the idea of not having a mobile phone is too much of a sacrifice (Devitt & Roker, 2009). Parents find that their children, when they have a mobile phone, are more prone to ignore whatever is around them. They tend to ignore family and spend time texting or chatting with their friends, which tends to cut them off from society. Another major issue that the parents find themselves to be dealing with is the increasing level of secrecy that youths render when they have a mobile phone in hand. The table below shows how many texts were sent to children by parents:   Mothers Fathers Total 11 and 12 years 10 1 11 13 and 14 years 45 5 50 15, 16 and 17 years 38 11 49 Total 93 17 110 The table below shows how many texts were sent to parents by their children:   Mothers Fathers Total 11 and 12 years 7 4 11 13 and 14 years 37 4 41 15, 16 and 17 years 43 4 47 Total 87 12 99 The above table shows how interaction between children and parents becomes limited due to mobile phones. This evidence is not sufficient enough to show that the relationship between parents and their children is failing. However, there is concern that increase usage of cell phones can have a detrimental effect on family ties. On the other hand the table below manages to show how the number of texts varies in regard to the number of messages that an individual receives from family and friends.   Mum/Dad/Carer Friends Total 11 and 12 years 9 6 15 13 and 14 years 68 174 242 15, 16 and 17 years 20 66 86 Total 97 246 343 (Ling, 2004) Another British study that was conducted involved a sample size of more than 16500 adults and it was concluded that of that sample size an overwhelming 92% of the adults used their mobile phones on a daily basis (Devitt & Roker, 2009). (Lenhart, Ling, Campbell, & Purcell, 2010) The table above shows the views of both the parents and teenagers with regards to their views on cell phones. The general feeling is that cell phones are a god send when it comes to safety. It is not a surprise then that the use of mobile phone technology would have an impact on the social interaction and networking of any person. Richard Seyler Ling in his book states that mobile technology has the ability to devastate the social life of an individual (R.S., 2004). It is not difficult to understand from where Ling is coming from. Anyone who uses a mobile phone extensively misses out in something. Cell phones manage to connect people in a way that is efficient and cheap. The costs of cell phones seem to drop day by day and the price of packages provided by services in the telecom industry is dropping when it comes to text messaging. The cell phones even make it easier to coordinate with others and interact with them not only at a local level but internationally. Cell phones are certainly considered a necessity in the modern life and not many are seen without it. First from voice communication to the point where every cell phone has a camera and the technology to connect to the internet, technology has made it a point to help people to improve social connection. All these features help to connect us to one another. We cannot take a picture at any time we want when we have our cell phones and even send it across to the other side of the world or even call anyone we want. Connectivity has had a big boost with the help of cell phones and it has become some people’s best friend. Connectivity to business partners by some and other professional individuals is a bonus for some while many children have learned to use a cell phone for almost everything. They can shop online with the help of it and listen to music on the more enable cell phones. Though for the sake of social interaction we need to ensure that there is a limitation to the amount of time that those who are around us are using cell phones. In the case of those who like to play games on it, they can be coaxed to play outdoors which is much healthier and can even promote contact with those in a neighborhood. This can enhance connectivity at a local level without the use of cell phones. Critics argue that cell phones increase the interaction of people in their society and do not isolate people. As text messaging is a fast means of communication, individuals get messages about the social events and thus tend to visit these events improving the social contact of people (Editor, 2010). Cell phones also enhance the connection of friends and relatives as making calls is an easier and faster way of connection as compared to the now primitive mail and letter sending method. Hence it is not a conclusive fact that cell phone is socially isolating the public. It may depend from person to person and it then becomes the duty of family members and friends to make sure that cell phones are not used in an abusive manner. References Devitt, K., & Roker, D. (2009). The Role of Mobile Phones in Family. Children & Society , 23 (3), 189-202. Editor. (2010, January 21). Social Isolation and New Technology. Retrieved October 14, 2010, from New Media Institute: http://www.newmedia.org/articles/social-isolation-and-new-technology-.html Lenhart, A., Ling, R., Campbell, S., & Purcell, K. (2010, April 10). Parents’ and teens’ overall assessment of the role of cell phones in their lives. Retrieved October 14, 2010, from Pew Internet: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Teens-and-Mobile-Phones.aspx Ling, R. S. (2004). The mobile connection: the cell phone's impact on society. United States of America: Norgan Kaufmann. Reid, D. J., & Reid, F. J. (2007). Text or Talk? Social Anxiety, Loneliness, and Divergent Preferences for Cell Phone Use. CyberPsychology & Behavior , 10 (3), 424-434. Read More