Cell Phone Usage and Social Interaction with Proximate Others - Assignment Example

?Running Head: DRAFT & SELF-EVALUATION Draft & Self-Evaluation ID Cell phones are considered as means of revolutionized communication that has made world a compact, wireless place where human connection is mainly based on these hand-held devices. Where mobile phones are highly applauded for the convenience that they have provided to us, there are studies that have shown this technology to be a major threat to mankind. Wireless technology used in these devices has to be a fundamental threat and causative agent to many health disorders including cancer. In addition to that, distraction caused by cell phones during driving due to its various functions i.e. voice-over calling, texting, video chat, internet use, cameras etc is considered as a second major cause behind road and motor vehicle accidents after substance abuse and alcoholism. Studies have shown that cell phones have been a major risk to human health due to its radiations and distraction caused by it which leads to accidents and isolation from real social contact causing an addiction to virtual contact. Since problems caused by cell phone use are transforming into a national issue therefore a legal initiative is required to ban all kind of cell phone use during driving nationwide. There is a substantial amount of official data available that reports huge figures representing distracted driving, addiction of cell phone usage and its effects on physical and mental beings of its users. Most of these studies are based on nation-wide surveys and have been published in peer-reviewed sources as well. Although benefits offered by cell phones makes it difficult for its users to acclaim the disadvantages borne by it however the focus of this research is to enhance benefits offered by cell phones be limiting the threats posed by this technology to our physical and mental health along with quality of our personal and social life. Various nationwide surveys have reported cell phones to be the main cause behind accidents caused by distracted driving. According to Centers of Disease Control (2013), “In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010. An additional, 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver in 2011, compared to 416,000 people injured in 2010.” The research further reports risks to be higher for younger drivers below 20 years. It has also been reported that using cell phones while driving gives rise to reckless behavior which also constitutes to substance abuse in future. Other than distracted drivers, pedestrian cell phones’ users also sustain serious injuries since they are less likely to look before crossing the road along with taking longer duration to cross the road. It is important to note that these statistics bear substantial importance due to expenses incurred in terms of injuries and other fatalities caused by such accidents and their impact on national budget. Therefore, reckless driving is not a personal but national concern involving money paid by taxpayers. In addition to driving risks raised by use of cell phones, mobile technology bears capability of hampering human health and immune system critically. Mobile phones emit electromagnetic waves that are absorbed by substances and live tissues around them. Human body behaves no differently and is capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation emitted by electronic devices including cell phones. Same notion is supported by the research conducted by U.S. National Institute of Health (National Cancer Institute, 2013). According to their research, unionized energy emitted by electronic devices mainly cell phones (since they are usually near human body as compared to other devices) is capable of producing different kinds of cancers. In addition to that, increased cell phone usage has been reported to have depleting effect on human cognitive function and impaired sleep quality. Although long-term impacts of such radiations are yet to be determined however it has been established that excessive cell phone presence near human body increases brain metabolism activity which also interferes in the resting time that brain needs resulting in reduced brain functioning (Walsh & Genzer, 2011). In addition to physical health risks, there are also various social menaces raised by cell phones. Various peer-reviewed studies have indicated that excessive cell phone usage gives rise to addiction which hampers quality of social contact. Such behaviors pose serious threats to one-on-one personal interaction and also quality of social relationships. Research conducted by Banjo, Hu and Sundr (2008) mentioned, “the mere presence of cell phones in public conflicts the private and public spheres and inhibits social interaction with proximate others (strangers or known persons) (p.127).” Hence cell phone usage generates negative attitudes in social spaces. In addition to that, a research conducted by Drussell (2012) indicated that excessive social networking through cellular medium affects user’s interpersonal and conflict management skills. With continuous virtual social contact, cell phone users feel obligated to respond to messages and emails received which further affects their attention span in current physical activities (Ludden, 2012). Furthermore, cell phone presence transforms into addiction as it crosses barriers between personal and public spaces i.e. home, classrooms and any other public space. Other than teenagers and adolescents, adults are as much likely to get addicted to cell phones which provoke them to use cell phones while driving for various purposes (Madden & Rainie, 2010). Factors such as impulsiveness and materialism can transform liking for cell phone technology into serious addiction (Mozes, 2012; Harrison, 2012; Bellum, 2013). Other than published literary and research-based evidences, a short survey conducted within college settings also supported the findings of sources mentioned above. Survey findings mentioned that most of cell phone users have used them while driving despite feeling threatened by travelling with somebody who is using mobile phones while driving. Participants of this anonymous survey also mentioned that they have physically hurt other individuals due to cell phone use while driving or have encountered possibility of an accident which would have caused physical damage to them and others. Majority of the participants also agreed to using cell phones in inappropriate spaces like bathrooms, classrooms, church etc., which shows their addiction to cell phones. Lastly, some of the participants accepted that constant presence of cell phone is annoying and affects their privacy whereas rest believe it to be an effective medium to connect with others. An important finding of the survey was majority agreeing to have cell phones interfering in the times meant for family i.e. dinners, meals, shopping etc. A critical analysis of literature available on the subject matter and findings of the survey conducted in college helped in understanding that since cell phone usage has arose to very high percentage with reference to number of users and frequency of daily use, it cannot be eliminated completely from our society. However, in order to regulate menaces caused by it and threats posed by it to physical and mental wellbeing of humans, its usage needs to be restricted. Since major threats are posed by its excessive use during driving as it involves safety of not just users but those travelling with them and present on the road i.e. other vehicles and pedestrians, it is important that a national initiative is taken to completely ban any kind of cell phone use while driving. Where many states have individually banned different kinds of activities while driving, a holistic approach is required which bans all types of cell phone use during driving i.e. texting, calling, internet use, playing games and using other applications etc (West, 2011). Since states’ measures are usually undermined due to their limited efficacy and lack of interest by lawmakers, therefore a national approach would help in devising legislative initiatives that are applicable on all states uniformly. A national law that would ban cell phone use during driving can act as a solution to this pressing issue. References Banjo, O., Hu, Y. & Sundar, S.S. (2008). Cell Phone Usage and Social Interaction with Proximate Others: Ringing in a Theoretical Model. The Open Communication Journal, 2, pp. 127-135. Bellum, S. (2013). Are You Addicted to Your Cell Phones?. Retrieved 24 August 2013 from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/are-you-addicted-your-cell-phone Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Distracted Driving. Retrieved 24 August, 2013 from http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/ Drussell, J. (2012). Social Networking and Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills among College Freshmen. Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers. Paper 2. Retreieved 24 Ausgust, 2013 from http://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1021&context=msw_papers. Harrison, P. (2012). Overuse of Cell Phones: An Addiction Like Any Other?. Retrieved 24 August, 2013 from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/775426 Ludden, J. (2010). Teen Texting Soars; Will Social Skills Suffer?. Retrieved 24 August, 2013from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126117811 Madden, M. & Rainie, L. (2010). Adults and Cell Phone Distractions. Retrieved 24 August, 2013 from http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Cell-Phone-Distractions.aspx Mozes, A. (2012). Can Excessive Cell phone Use Become and Addiction?. Retrieved 24 August, 2013 from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/12/04/can-excessive-cellphone-use-become-an-addiction National Cancer Institute. (2013). Cell Phones and Cancer Risk. Retrieved 24 August, 2013 from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones Walsh, K.M. & Genzer, P. (2011). Summary of Intramural NIH/ Brookhaven National Laboratory Cell Phone Study in JAMA. Retrieved 24 August, 2013 from http://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=11239 West, A. (2011). Cell Phone Driving Bans, State by State: Where You Break the Law, Retrieved 24 August, 2013 from http://www.pcworld.com/article/246574/cell_phone_driving_bans_state_by_state_where_you_break_the_law.html Read More