Cell Phones and Relationships, Speech Example

Introduction

1. Today’s smart phones are almost mini computers, putting far more computing power in our palms than what mainframe computers occupying whole room used to have.
2. We may finally have entered the age of round-the-clock connectivity but we need to ask ourselves if connectivity has actually improved our social relationships.
3. We do not need to ask experts for answers because the answer lies in our own lives.
4. We all should take steps to restrict cell phone use because cell phone addiction is preventing us from enjoying social relationships that are essential to healthy growth and development as a person.

Body

a. Cell phone enables us to talk with anyone from anywhere but talking is just one aspect of communication and not everything.

a.1. Cell phones allow us to reach the other person but they do not allow us to express ourselves effectively or fulfill the communication needs of the people related to us.

a.1.1. When we communicate face-to-face, we can make effective use of non-verbal communication and similarly also demonstrate that we are paying attention to the other person.

a.2. Effective communication is the key to strong social relationships such as between friends and research.

a.2.1. A study by Andrew K. Przybylski and Netta Weinstein of the University of Essex found even presence of cell phones negatively affects the quality of interaction and feelings of closeness (Lin, 2012).

b. Cell phones do not only hurt our relationships outside home but with our families also.

b.1. Parents often complain children do not pay attention when parents are talking to them.

b.2. Poor family relationships do not only result from children’s addiction to cell phones only but even parents may also be guilty.

b.2.1. A study by a leading psychologist Dr. Aric Sigman found parents who are addicted to cell phone and other digital devices lead to feelings of neglect among their children and increase the risk of their children’s dependency on technology as well (Bingham, 2012).

c. Cell phone users often overestimate their ability to effectively multitask.

c.1. They believe they can use cell phone as well as communicate effectively at the same time.

c.1.1. Scientific studies show we overestimate our ability to multi-task (Hamilton, 2008).

c.2. One cannot improve until one acknowledges his/her limitations and the facts.

Conclusion

a. Cell phone use should be limited, especially when interacting with friends and family members because it:

a.1. Lowers quality of communication.

a.2. Negatively affects our ability to pay attention.

b. Cell phone addiction is preventing us from fully enjoying our relationships.

c. I hope I have succeeded in convincing you that even the most beneficial technology has costs if misused.

c.1. Hopefully, none of you was using cell phone during my presentation.

Works Cited

Bingham, J. (2012, May 12). Mobile addict parents guilty of child ‘neglect’ warns psychologist. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/9280194/Mobile-addict-parents-guilty-of-child-neglect-warns-psychologist.html

Hamilton, J. (2008, October 2). Think You’re Multitasking? Think Again. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95256794

Lin, H. L. (2012, September 4). How Your Cell Phone Hurts Your Relationships. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-your-cell-phone-hurts-your-relationships