Contemporary Society - Essay Example

Contemporary Society Contemporary Society Question 3 People in the present world inhabit a world that is noticeably different fromthe 1950s. These people spend most of their day and night time engaging, interacting and communicating on a variety of media, including the mobile phone and internet. In Australia, approximately 75 percent of people above 18 years old own a Smartphone. Approximately 60 percent of these people use social media (Mort & Drennan, 2007). The usage of mobile phones in Australia has reached a level where people never switch off their phones. They prefer to sleep with their phones close to their pillows so that they can pick it up to answer calls or rely to text messages. This shows that people of this generation engage with mobile phone and they need to constantly stay connected. This has led to questions on whether the contemporary society’s engagement with phones is a positive thing that encourages communication. It has also led to considerations on whether this engagement entrenches people into a virtual world that is monitored and controlled by commercial vendors and governments. Contemporary society’s engagement with mobile phones is well captured in government statistics, which show that 75 percent of the population above 18 years old owns mobile phones (Morreale, Osborn & Pearson, 2000). These mobile phones may be feature phones that do not have many functions, or Smartphone that have advanced features and access to multiple platforms for communication. Data from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (2014) shows that, aspects such as the usage, choice and intensity of mobile communication are increasing rapidly (Morreale, Osborn & Pearson, 2000). Mobile phones have led to the transformation of space and time. This means that they have enabled people to establish and remain in contact throughout the day. Mobile phones support interactions and communication regardless of location. The contemporary society is highly dependent on integrated and uninterrupted communication. Mobile phones are the only devices that have the potential to provide platforms for continuous communication. Therefore, contemporary society’s engagement with mobile phones is a positive thing that enhances communication. One of the most important needs of the contemporary society is the need to communicate and create contact with other people. Mobile phones have the capabilities to extend and protect the personal freedoms of people in a contemporary society. In the contemporary society, mobile phones are unifying tools that allow people to communicate and exchange ideas regardless of their location and time (Ayako, 2009). The introduction of these devices has revolutionized the ways in which people communicate. For some of the people, mobile phones are devices that have enhanced communication with family members, friends and acquaintances. In addition, other people use the phones to form new acquaintances and enhance their social circle. Mobile phones have successfully enabled people in the contemporary society to communicate. People are able to communicate more because mobile phones, especially smart phones offer different platforms for communication. For instance a mobile phone owner may decide to communicate verbally or using written messages. People with seeing or hearing disabilities can use mobile phones to enhance their communication (Morreale, Osborn & Pearson, 2000). Visually impaired people can download voice recognition software, which enables them to navigate the different functions of the mobile phones. In addition, hearing impaired people can use mobile phones to enhance their communication. They rely on visual signals, which indicate incoming messages or calls. Mobile phone usage in a contemporary society is characterized by the widespread use of the internet on the mobile phone. In this case, communication is enhanced through the sharing of emotions and creation of contact using a combination of images, emoticons and texts within a closed communication space (Serbanescu, 2011). This serves to reinforce the sending and receiving of messages, and social intimacy within a group. The constant connection and opportunities for communication created by mobile phones provides new opportunities for reinforcing social intimacy, social sharing, impression management and network building. One of the main concerns with contemporary society’s use of mobile phones is that they create a virtual world that is controlled and monitored by commercial vendors and governments. The role of the government and commercial vendors is not to control the usage, transfer and choice of mobile phones. These entities have a role of protecting users against risks that are associated with mobile phone usage. These risks include the infringement of privacy, cyber bullying, defamation and cyber stalking. These entities are involved in the development of policies that address the problems caused by the rapidly changing modern society (University Of Western Sydney, 2014). Because of the initiatives by the commercial vendors and governments, users can enjoy new opportunities while minimizing their risk of harm. The use of mobile phones in Australia can be explained using three examples from my everyday life. In the first case, mobile phones can be used to enhance healthcare outcomes and improve communication between patients and care providers (Morreale, Osborn & Pearson, 2000). Healthcare institutions and service providers are integrating mobile phones in order to enhance communication. This has eased my access and interaction with healthcare providers. For instance, I can easily call my care provider and talk to him about my condition. He can offer advice and recommendations through text messages without the need for me to travel to the hospital. In addition to enhancing communication between care providers and patients, mobile phones can be used to support education. In this case, I use my smart phone to establish connections with my schoolmates and teachers. I can receive instructions and schedules through social networking sites and phone calls. I also use my mobile phone to enhance communication and increase my safety. In cases where I am held up in traffic or I encounter mechanical problems such as a flat tire or an empty tank, I can make a phone call to my parents or friends and seek assistance. Conclusion One of the major characteristic of people of the contemporary society is their need to have uninterrupted and integrated communication. This need has led to a situation where people rely on their mobile phones to the extent that they sleep with their phones on their hands. Contemporary society’s engagement with mobile phones is a positive thing that enhances communication. Mobile phones facilitate communication regardless of the time and location of the parties involved. In addition, mobile phones offer different platforms for communication. This includes phone calling, texting and social media platforms. Personally, I use mobile phones to maintain contact with my family members and friends. I also use mobile phones to maintain contact with my healthcare service provider. Most importantly, in case I have an emergency, I use my mobile phone to contact an emergency service provider. References Ayako, K. (2009). Cell Phones for Communication and Enjoyment. Japanese Culture Now. Vol. 1. Morreale, S., Osborn, M., & Pearson, J. (2000). Why Communication Is Important: A Rationale For The Centrality Of The Study Of Communication. Journal of the Association for Communication Administration, 29. Mort, G., & Drennan, J. (2007). Mobile Communications: A Study of Factors Influencing Consumer Use of Mobile Services. Journal of Advertising Research. Vol. 47, (3). Serbanescu, T. (2011). Personal Communication. An Interactive Qualifying Project. Analyzing the Use and Effects of Personal Communication in the Modern Age. Worcester Polytechnic Institute. University Of Western Sydney. (2014). Politics, Government and the State. University Of Sydney. Read More