Over the past decade, cell phone use has dramatically increased, and has become a major issue across the country. The complex technology of cellphones in 2016 allows individuals to do anything and everything on these hand-held devices. From social media apps that allow people to connect with other people from all around the world, to checking stocks with one tap of a finger, to watching TV at any time of day; the things that can be done on a cellphone are endless. As a result, society has become extremely dependent and addicted to cellphones and all that they offer. High school and college students experience more consequences because they are the most dependent on these pocket-sized devices. With every year that passes, younger and younger generations rely more on cellphones and are negatively impacted as a result. Society's major addiction to cell phones has resulted in many repercussions to our social, physical, and mental health. Although cellphones do have positive impacts on society, these benefits are outweighed by the many disadvantages. Some of these disadvantages include anxiety, sleep deprivation, weight gain, low test scores and overall performances in school, and decreased social skills. The overuse of cellphones can be detrimental to the social, physical, and mental wellbeing of high school and college students in and out of the classroom. 

                  Cell phones can negatively impact a person's physical health in several ways. Studies shown that a lack of exercise and physical fitness is a result of extensive use of cell phones. One study surveyed three hundred college students about their cell phone use, and observed forty-nine college students during a treadmill test. "The researchers found that the students averaged just over 300 minutes of cell phone use per day. In other words, the students spent about five hours a day on their cell phone" (Hausenblas). A majority of this time spent is for leisure activities such as playing games, keeping up with social media, and browsing the web. So, to more accurately state it, college students waste approximately five hours of their day staring at a hand-held screen. College students are normally between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, so they should be one of the most energetic and active generations in society. Five hours is a large chunk of time out of a day that could be spent studying, going to the gym, going for a run outside, going for an adventure with friends, etc. "It appears that high-frequency cell phone users are more likely to forgo being physically active in order to use their cell phones for more sedentary activities such as using Facebook, Twitter, video games and surfing the Internet" (Hausenblas). Students would rather spend time staring at a screen than risk missing out on something while staying active where they are unable to use their phone as much. Lack of exercise can lead to unhealthy eating habits and weight gain, which can have long term affects such as heart disease or diabetes. As people age, they will not have as much energy or have the same abilities to do most of the things they are capable of doing in their college years. Staying physically active and physically fit is crucial to not only an individual's current health, but to their future health too. Taking daily breaks from cell phones in order to stay healthy and active during a student's college years can preserve their health for when they are older.       

          One of the major negative results from cellphones has been with students in the classroom. High school and college students are constantly on their phones when they are not in school, so why would they not use them in class? If there are no bans on cellphones in school, nothing is going to stop a teenager from pulling it out during class. Researchers from the London School of Economics studied the effects of cell phone bans on schools by collecting thousands of test scores from sixteen year olds from 200 to 2012 (Guido). "They found that the bans boosted test scores by six percent. If a child was previously academically underperforming, their scores improved up to 14 percent" (Guido). These results should be an incentive for all schools to ban cell phones, because their students will benefit and so will the school in the long run. Cell phone bans would also be extremely beneficial for schools with a large number of students who perform below average. "Our conclusion is that unstructured use of phones in schools has a negative impact, mainly for kids at the bottom half of the class" (Guido). Students who underperform use cell phones as an excuse to not work up to their potential, so by removing that major distraction from the classroom, those students will be able to succeed academically. 

Having such a complex distraction with them in class, results in a decrease in their cognitive ability. "Attention spans have shortened so dramatically that many college students struggle to read anything longer than a social network posting" (Morgan). Students have become so dependent on their phones because they are able to find the answers to almost anything with a few taps of a finger. Students lose their ability to think of their feet or even prevent them from acquiring it all together. In real-life work situations students will have to be able to think on their feet, and think critically to solve problems. If they are unable to do that in a school setting, they are going to have major issues succeeding in the real world. Any student that is not reprimanded for bringing a distraction like a cellphone into the classroom is not going to be a driven and motivated student. High school students especially need guidance still, so by removing cell phones, they can pay attention in class and be more motivated to do well, resulting in them reaching or even succeeding their academic abilities.

The extensive amount of time teenagers spend glued to the screen of a cell phone can cause major psychological effects. Cellphones have become a drug to our society, and the addiction, along with the withdrawal symptoms, are real. College students even admit that they feel like they are addicted to their phones, but cannot seem to break free from that addiction. "I wouldn't say I have a phone addiction, but I'd say it's pretty hard to live without one" (Dulaney). Studies have shown that the withdrawal symptoms are a real thing when it comes to 'addicts' being without their phones. The withdrawal symptoms for students have become so sever that they mentally cannot stand to put their phone out of sight for more than a few minutes.  "Just the mere fact that they were not able to use the device caused a significant amount of anxiety in these students" (Dulaney). Just like a drug, cellphones provide an instant 'high' from scrolling through social media, or receiving a text message, or reaching a new high score on a game. Once a person starts they cannot stop and the addiction only gets worse. "Checking the alerts, and answering messages quickly, is a form of instant gratification" (Dulaney). The addiction has taken over the lives of college students and there does not seem to be an end in sight. The repercussions of this extensive use of cell phones are only going to become more extensive and detrimental.

College students are also already under an extremely high level of stress from schoolwork, and excessive cell phone use adds unnecessary stress to their lives. "Without realizing it, the constant alerts of messages, emails, phone calls and social media notifications can put a serious toll on your mental health, causing stress and sleep disturbance" (Brindle). College students do not receive the proper amount of sleep their bodies need regularly, but cellphones inhibit the small amount of sleep they have the potential to receive. Lack of sleep can also increase stress levels, along with weakening the immune system, which makes college students more prone to getting sick. College students feel almost as if the social networking through cell phones is another obligation to put their energy into. On top of schoolwork, clubs and organizations, jobs, and more, keeping up to date with their social media has now been added to the list. "Some respondents said their phone made them feel obligated to stay connected to a network of beers or family" (Smith). College students are over stressing and under sleeping as a result of the redundant use of cell phones.

As a result of people's addictions to cell phones, their social skills have dramatically declined. Out at a restaurant there is almost a guarantee that a majority of the people will be sitting with other people, but have their heads down, cell phone in hand. Teenagers and college students have become so used to communicating through a screen they do not handle social situations very well or with much confidence. "I can't imagine these kids sitting down in an interview and having reciprocal conversation easily" (Bindley). How will students be able to apply for internships or jobs after they graduate if they cannot have more than a two-minute conversation without checking their cellphone? No one is going to hire a person fresh out of college who is more concerned about their phone than the job they are applying for. Teenagers also use cell phones as an escape from feeling uncomfortable or awkward. Rather than starting a conversation with someone in their class and risk having an awkward pause, they glue their eyes to that tiny screen as if it is a portable safety blanket. "They haven't had these years of learning about awkward pauses. Being able to tolerate the discomfort is not something they're going to be used to, unless their parents make it a priority" (Bindley). The addiction to cell phones causes students to need constant notifications, text messages, and positive reinforcement. This results in students not being able to handle a moment of silence in a conversation, where they are not receiving that gratification they crave.

There is a long, endless list of the negative impacts the overuse of cellphones has on college students, but there is also a list of positive impacts that is not often discussed. Teenagers disperse across the country when it comes time to attend college. Whether they are one hour away or fifteen hours away it is hard to not miss home. It is crucial for college students to stay in contact with their parents or relatives while away at school. Cornell University reported "students communicate with their parents an average of thirteen times per week ... " (Kori). Students are under a lot of stress and pressure from school, but they are also adjusting to living on their own for the first time in their lives. Even when they are fifteen hours away and are not able to go home often, does not mean that they do not need the support and love from their parents on a daily basis. Cell phones allow students to call and text their parents whenever they please. Surprisingly most students also keep in touch with their parents and relatives through social media sites such as Facebook. They can share pictures and videos to keep one another updated with what they have been doing lately. Cellphones are a crucial way for college students, especially ones who are far from home, to stay connected and feel supported and loved by family members.

Although cellphones have been proven to create a decline in the academic performances of students, there is also evidence to prove that cellphones and technology can be successful in the classroom. Cell phones can also act as a fantastic teaching tool by allowing students to stay up to date with assignments, and be more interactive when it comes to school work. Teachers are beginning to embrace the world of technology and cellphones rather than resisting it. A teacher from Cushing Academy stated, "All too often, educators put them in a 19th century classroom for six hours of that day and the students feel a tremendous disconnect" (Lytle). In order for students to succeed they need to pay attention and be interactive in the classroom. Cellphones and technology allow for students to participate more not only at home but in the classroom. One teacher in Maryland said she has switched the dynamics of the classroom to be more suitable for students in 2016. "Instead of lecturing in class, I lecture them when they're at home, and we work problems together in the classroom." (Lytle). Students are able to spend more time interacting with professors while in class so they can ask questions and truly learn the material. Technology and cellphones have been immensely successful in the classroom.

The overuse of cellphones can be detrimental to the social, physical, and mental wellbeing of high school and college students in and out of the classroom. Students have become increasingly addicted and dependent on cellphones. Having the constant distraction in the classroom inhibits students' cognitive ability, and their motivation to reach and surpass their academic abilities. The addiction to cellphone and social networking is so intense that students put their physical fitness at risk. Instead of staying active and exercising on a daily basis, they spend an excessive amount of time inside staring at those tiny screens. Exercising and staying active on a daily basis is a great way for students to break their addiction to their phones. This provides them with time away from their phone while endorphins are released from exercising which will overall make them feel good.

 College students already receive a lack of sleep, but cellphones inhibit the amount of potential sleep they could get every night. Sleep is essential in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Not enough sleep can be extremely detrimental to a person, especially a college student's overall health and wellbeing. When sleep decreases, stress, anxiety, and depression increase. Students have also lost their abilities to effectively initiate and maintain face-to-face conversations. They hide from conflict and risk of being awkward or uncomfortable behind their digital screens. The opportunities for students to receive jobs or internships after college is at risk because they are currently losing to their addiction to cell phones. The list of disadvantages of cellphones goes on and on and is only going to become increasingly harmful for high school and college students. If students are the future, and they are already deteriorating from electronic devices, then society itself is in a predicament.

    
