Cellular Telephones: Essential Tool or Infernal Device, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Since 1983 when the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) approved the first cellular phone for commercial use, the journey in the unending unfolding on developments and designs is tremendous. The cell phone industry is constantly changing as new evolutions and advancements in the technology continue taking unique dimensions. Since the Apple’s iBook release back in 1999, the magic in mobile phones has gone wild. A device that was once meant for voice communication has now transformed and become an essential part of people’s lives. It is nowadays impossible to make any move without your mobile phone. Recently a columnist wrote a piece on “Cell phones? Hell Phones?” referring to the manner in which people have become so glued to this small devices. It is true to some level to say that mobile phones have turned people into “imbeciles”. It is unimaginable nowadays if some people can service even a minute without checking the screen of their mobile handsets (Luksicht). These paper discuses the impact of cellular phones to people’s behavior looking into how people have become addicted to smart phones.

In past years, communication was never something to rush for. As much as time was still critical, all means of communication were rather slow. That is actually not even similar to current trends on how information is passed on. Specific devices such as telegrams, fax machines and telephones have all been swallowed by one very tiny device, the cellular telephone. Mobile phones started from voice calls, developed to text messaging, advanced to enhancements such as MMS and now gone beyond imagination, mobile phones are fully equipped with every kind of communication media that one can’t think about. In the current mobile phones market a standard mobile phone has been enhanced with the usual voice call, text messaging, multimedia messaging services and access to the internet. Advanced cell phones which are now referred to smart phones or tablets have far worse complicated enhancements. A few years ago, these technology features were totally unimaginable to be contained in one device (Greene).

A typical smart mobile phone is equipped with various devices to access all network services that are within range. This begins from Bluetooth, WI-Fi, GPRS, EDGE, 2G, 3G, and still counting. With this capability, people are able to get in touch throughout at almost no cost. The internet has provided a different world of possibilities. People are nowadays able get mails in their phones and can respond instantly. Business has shifted from office to cell phones. With a single device, one is able to send mails at work, call clients, book appointments, manage tripe and meeting schedules. The cell phones have become sophisticated that they now act as diaries and directory of all contacts either business or personal. People can reach anyone through mails, video calling and conferencing and SMS. This technology has brought the world to people hands (Luksicht).

There are thousands of praises with what people do with their cell phones. However, there is a culture or a situation that can be likened to a disease that has cropped in peoples social lifestyle. And this is the disease on never stopping to check on the phone after every two minutes. People are slowly turning into robots or smaller machines without noticing. The introduction of the internet social networks has even made this worse. People are always glued to chat rooms and social network all through the day and even at night. It has become a culture to always following up with friends and relatives even business every minute. People are always expecting a call, an SMS, a poke from a friend in a social network, a comment from someone else and much such sickening stuff. According to Luksicht, is inevitable nowadays to have a peaceful dinner, a quiet queue at the line or even concentrate at the movie theatre without a hearing a tone, a vibration or an alert tone from these devices that are everywhere. All these trouble has been brought by the cell phones.

People are getting addicted to cell phones and smart phones like BlackBerry, iPhone and Android. Along the street it is hard to find people walking upright and looking ahead where they are stepping. Instead, they are glued down to the screen of their cell phones, scripting some texts or scrolling down web pages. People have become uncontrollable in how they use their cell phones. People have stopped paying attention fully to what they do and are totally fascinated by the mobile phone world. In supermarkets, people are fully occupied which what is happening in the phone that what they are shopping. The grab an item and look at the phone to send a mail. They grab another item and responds to a chat message in face book. This keeps on and on till they are on the counter. It leaves one guessing what is so interesting in the phone that cannot be left even for ten minutes. There are many accidents that have occurred outdoors and indoors because of improper usage of these devices. Take for instance a person texting on the cell phone and still crossing the road. First, there is a probability that he or she will not check on the light and might step to the road at the wrong lights. As much as the cell phones or smart phones cannot cause any sickness, they are exposing people to hazardous situations that are preventable (Maushart 59).

According to Wygant, smart phones have continued to make people more stupid and less smart. Smart phones have tuned people dumb totally. People have become like little children who need stimulation every time. Smart phones have transformed the society into an addiction to phone society. The art or conversation between two people is diminishing. It may reach a point even speaking will be a problem to some people. Technology is good and it is worth celebrating for, however misusing it is not scapegoat for dubious behaviors. It is time that people start going back to the good ways of being attentive to what happens near them. Let when people are talking, say friends having a conversation be purely that. Texting in between and receiving phone calls cannot be acceptable a good culture. People have become unable to live in the moment and become conditioned to electronic world than the real world they are in (Seaward 14).

Conclusion

Technology has changed many things as well as how people live. It will be unfair to let this good gift of life take our culture out. Bad behaviour is creeping into everybody’s lifestyle, the habits of getting addicted to the phone. It is not right to let these devices that are meant to help people communicate effectively rule our lifestyle. As witnessed people are now owned with these gadgets and have reached a situation of cant do without. This is dangerous to the community as it will bring in a new disease to deal and there is already enough trouble with drugs and many other addictions.

Work cited

Greene, Bob. 2011. Don’t sleep with your smart phone nearby. Website: <http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/30/opinion/greene-smart-phone-addiction/index.html> Accessed 18^th March, 2012

Luksich, Tammy. 2012. Smart Phone Addiction: Good or Bad? Website <http://www.socialnomics.net/2011/08/04/smartphone-addiction-good-or-bad/> Accessed 18^th March, 2012

Maushart, Susan. 2011. Addict Nation. An Intervention for America. Bantam: Jeremy P. Teacher.

Seaward, Brian. 2011. Managing stress: Principles and Strategies for Health and Well Being. Burlington: Jones & Brtlett Learning