The Pros & Cons of Smartphones, Essay Example

Technology has become an important part of our lives and it is difficult to imagine life without technological devices such as smart phones. While smart phones are now becoming a commodity due to their several benefits, they may also impose certain costs on the society.

One of the benefits of smart phones is an increase in work productivity. Smart phones now have advanced computing technologies but at the same time they are more portable than laptops. This means one can also perform work tasks while travelling or just sitting in a café. Even students now use smart phones to access course materials on their schools’ and colleges’ websites.

Smart phones allow us to stay connected with others round-the-clock (Andrew). While cell phones also do that, smart phones do not only enable oral communication but also every imaginable form of written communication such as messaging, social media, and emails. In addition, smart phones now often incorporate video technologies which also enable visual communication.

One of the major disadvantages of smart phones is that it is negatively affecting our social lives including face-to-face interaction. First of all, smart phone users are increasingly substituting face-to-face interaction with technological communication. Second, even when smart phone owners are with family members or friends, they are easily distracted by smart phones (Glaser). Another disadvantage of smart phones is costs. It is not uncommon for smart phone users to have data plans to take advantage of the full potential of their devices. These costs can be substantial for low income people.

Smart phones have revolutionized modern societies by allowing individuals to become more productive at work and in studies. Smart phones have also revolutionized written communication in addition to oral communication. But this convenience has come at a cost including deteriorating social relationships.

Works Cited

Andrew, Jacob. The Pros & Cons of Smartphones. 1 January 2015 <http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/pros-cons-smartphones-28247.html>.

Glaser, Mark. How Cell Phones Are Killing Face-to-Face Interactions. 22 October 2007. 1 January 2015 <http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2007/10/how-cell-phones-are-killing-face-to-face-interactions295/>.