Cell phones have rapidly taken over modern society.  Although they do offer numerous benefits such as, interconnection, entertainment, knowledge, and assistance in emergencies, society should also weigh the dangers of cell phones.  We should ask ourselves questions such as; what are the long term effects of cell phone usage.  We should evaluate the social and mental consequences that come with the constant use of cell phones. It is clear that cell phones have equal risk for each benefit they offer.  Therefore, why does society accept cell phone addiction despite all of the negative impacts?

In fact, some of the negative impacts of cell phones include addiction, behavioral, and emotional issues.  As the use of cell phones increase as does the correlation of negative side effects from over usage.  This clashes with the argument cell phones create interconnection and allow use to connect on an entirely new level.  In fact, for every aid that cell phones offer us there is a negative side effect accompanying it.

The constant use of cell phone creates an oasis away from the real word.  In fact, it creates a bubble that makes it more difficult to interact with those around us over communicating over our phones. “The culture of SMS messaging in everyday use to communicate with family and friends emerged during the 1990s, and the new form of cellular communications emerged during the 2000s with the use of camera phones with video and even with broadcasting capabilities being considered a necessity of modern times” (Harvilla). In modern society text messaging has dominated communication.  It has allowed society to grow and reach knew limits not constrained to distance or chance. That’s being said, this breakthrough has also created other issues. It is changing social behavior and how we communicate when we are not behind a screen.

Why do we allow the ability to instant message someone to pull us away from the real world?  This is because we choose to have control with our words.  When we text we are able to edit and re-edit to give the perception of ourselves that we want to give. However, when we communicate face to face we cannot stop and think, type the words, or rephrase the parts we don’t like.  We want to be perceived just the way we want to be perceived, instead of showing our true selves. (Turkle) 

Through this form of escapism and recreation of ourselves, social skills have weakened. Sherry Turkle was having a conversation with a young man and he admitted, “Someday, someday, but certainly not now, I would like to learn how to have a real conversation.” This is evidence of how much society has fallen.  Especially, in younger generations, society has grown so accustomed to communicating behind a screen.  This is slowly weakening our communication skills throughout the world.  This is making it difficult to interact with each other in person. Overall, weakening our society as a whole. 

 Technology has especially effected our younger generations.  Smart phones have so rapidly taken over society it is no longer uncommon to see a toddler play with an Ipad or a ten-year-old who owns an Iphone.  “We see how the technology is embraced and mastered by some social groups while being tolerated or resisted by others” (Katz Aakhus).  As generations pass technology becomes more accepted and society learns to embrace the technological world.  But by doing so we subject younger generations to consequences such as the inability to communicate face to face with ease. 

The reason we are so content with this inability to actually communicate with each other in person is because we have fake since that we are together when we are actually alone.  When a group of friends gather together they may want to connect with one another, but they also want to connect to so many other people. Thus, they feel the need and capability to multitask. We feel when we reach out to others via technology that we have a connection and feel that they are in the room with us.  Unfortunately, despite those feelings we are actually alone. (Turkle)

A group of people can sit in the same room and be so engaged with the screens in front of them that they miss out on company around them.  Businessmen in offices feel as if they no longer have coworkers in the office because each of them would rather play on their Blackberries than reach out to the person down the hall.  Instead of reaching out to one another we are content distracting ourselves or multitasking on our phones.  People even use cellphones at funerals as yet another form of escape to avoid their grief or pain.  (Turkle)

Not only do cell phones alter the behavior and social skills of the average person, but they also take away from the personal touch in society. Although cell phones do offer a broader connection, it lessens the real connections between people.  We may have the ability to multitask on our phone and bounce from one conversation to another, but texting is not the way we form relationships.  Cell phones create an inability to communicate with the people around us. 

While some affects cause lack of personalization, other affects are regard more if a mental impact.  Cell phones can cause side effects such as; addiction, anxiety, depression, and bad sleeping habits.  These consequences are overlooked and unacknowledged.  However, these are impacts that greatly affect everyday life.  It is proven that there is a strong correlation between cell phone usage and all of these side effects. 

“Out of the world’s estimated 7 billion people, 6 billion have access to mobile phones” (Wang).  A total of 95% of Americans own cell phones.  There has been an increasing amount of professed cell phone addiction. So much so, that fifty percent of teens consider themselves “addicted” to their cell phones according to CNN (Wallace).  It is becoming a growing issue in society that people are becoming overly reliant on their cell phones.

This addiction is much more recognizable in young adults. “Studies reported by the Journal of Behavioral Sciences show that young adult sends an average of 109.5 text messages daily and check their cell phones an average of 60 times a day” (Mountjoy). Cell phones have become more than a tool or something to assist throughout the day. It has become a security blanket and the key to reaching a world outside of the physical surroundings. 

When do we draw the line with the use of cell phones? In recent studies according to Andrew Lepp, Jacob E. Barkley & Jian Li college students have been recorded that, “college students report using their phones in nearly every conceivable situation, including during class, while studying, during meals, while driving, at the movies, in the bathroom, and during sex.” This is evidence that smart phone addiction takes away from the quality of life. In fact, it is a distraction from important experiences that require attention and dilute intimate moments in a person’s life.

“College students report using the phone for nearly five hours per day, with the highest users being on the device almost constantly” (Lepp). In this time phones are not being used to gain knowledge or be productive. Actually, “cell phones and leisure appear to be increasingly related” (Lepp).  Society grows increasingly reliant on cellphones because they spend their free time browsing their phone. Thus, whenever they are doing an activity that does not immediately peak their interest, they feel the need to rather grab their phone. This applies in the atmosphere or work, class, and even with relationships

Another negative effect linked to cell phone usage is feelings of anxiety and depression. Recent studies done by the University of Illinois has shown a correlation between young adults who have addictive cell phone behavior who have anxiety and depression. “With the growth of mobile technology and the accompanying concern about its mental health implications, the researchers wanted to explore the connection between these information and communication technologies and psychological well-being” (Banducci).  The reason being that smart phones are used as a form of escapism which, can actually create more stress.  Unfortunately, the societal addiction we have created makes it difficult to realize or veer off this path. 

Cell phones have not only shown a correlation between negative emotions but are also damaging to sleep patterns.  Many people use their cell phones as alarm clocks to wake up in the morning.  This seemingly harmless action makes it extremely difficult to end up sleeping. You end up checking one last email, checking up on one more person, or watching one last video. Before you realize it you’ve spent hours of the night glued to your phone staring at a small screen and winding your mind up so much that it is nearly impossible to relax before bed. “A 2008 study funded by major mobile phone makers themselves showed that people exposed to mobile radiation took longer to fall asleep and spent less time in deep sleep” (Hall and Spurlock).

Not only do phones effect adult sleep patterns they also greatly effect children’s sleep patterns. “Nighttime smartphone and tablet use expose adults (and children) to artificial light and to high concentrations of blue wavelength light, which is particularly effective at suppressing melatonin and causing delay and disruption to sleep” (Dr. Breus). It takes time to go to sleep so as you remain on your cellphones it lengthens the process and keeps your eyes and mind in a day time mode.  This mainly impacts younger people who often are the heaviest consumers of technology. 

All of these side effects impact our everyday life.  Although cell phones are used as a form of escapism they may actually be much more damaging than beneficial.  They were made to assist and make life easier.  However, they may cause stress and create unhealthy sleeping habits. Worst of all their addicting nature make it much easier to fall victim to these side effects.

Once it is clear all of the damaging impacts that cell phone usage can cause it may be difficult to weigh the pros and cons of the technology.  Why do we risk so many consequences with so little caution to our safety?  The reason why cell phones are so widely used is because they are clearly an incredible invention. 

since 1876 we have been constantly staying in tune with every break through phones have made.  “Zeus, king of the Greek gods, and the rest of the pantheon, had to rely on messenger-boy Mercury” (Kats and Aakhus). Meanwhile, today we get upset when a text message refuses to send.  The advancement of cell phones has made it a common part of everyday life for most people worldwide.

There has been a dramatic change in nature of communication ever since the invention of text messaging in 1997.  In modern society text messaging has dominated communication.  The ability to instant message has created a since of interconnectedness around the world.  It has allowed society to grow and reach knew limits not constrained to distance or chance. 

It has created a convenience that has kept us safe and in contact with those we care about as much or as little as we desire.  “The culture of SMS messaging in everyday use to communicate with family and friends emerged during the 1990s, and the new form of cellular communications emerged during the 2000s with the use of camera phones with video and even with broadcasting capabilities being considered a necessity of modern times” (Harvilla). Not only is it convenient to communicate, it is also entertaining.  It has become a source entertainment while we are bored. 

“It allows us to plan and replan activities – anytime and anywhere – to a greater degree than with the traditional landline telephone.” (Ling).  Cell phones give us the power of interconnectedness.  We are able to reach each other at any time and communicate. “Unlike previous communications systems, where we were bound to a certain location, use of mobile telephone means that we need not be at a specific station, node, of geographical location to receive information” (Ling).  We are completely free and mobile to reach out to anyone anywhere we please.  

Although cell phones do have some drawbacks it is undeniable that the technology that cell phones offer are unbelievable. “Cell phones now allow users to surf the Internet, update social networking sites, play video games, stream movies and sporting events, make and share photographs and videos, and complete many additional functions using specially designed software applications (apps)” (Lepp). Smart phones offer so much more than communications. They offer knowledge. They give the ability of the average person to gather the knowledge of Einstein and Mozart at the touch of their fingers. 

Cell phones keep us safe and give us the ability to check the safety of those we care about.  For example, during an emergency we use cell phones to call an ambulance, police, or a firetruck. Many emergencies are solved much more efficiently affectively with the assistance of cell phones. Not only do they assist protection, but cell phones allow us to keep track of one another.  Tracking devices allow us to keep tabs on family members and close friends. 

Overall cell phones do give us a huge advantage through interconnectedness.  It allows us to quickly handle business expenditures and check on family and friends.  We are able to communicate so effectively through calls, texting, or video chatting.  It is impossible to deny all of the benefits that the technology of cell phones has to offer.  “Forget letters and phone calls. Texts are the currency of modern conversation -- and mobile Internet searches are the way to solve disputes of fact or trivia. Dating apps search suitors by location, and mobile maps ensure we app-enabled super humans can't get lost, as long as there's a wireless signal” (Sutter).  It is true that cell phones make us a more advance society. 

It is clear that cell phones offer so much knowledge and protection that we cannot deny their usefulness in society.  It gives us incredible abilities that we would be completely unable to use without its assistance.  Despite the consequences it does enhance our lives.  It simplifies the problem of distance, knowledge and safety.  Most conveniently, it is all at the tips of our fingers. 

The use of cell phones can cause horrible side effects such as; behavioral, emotional, and addiction.  Unfortunately, we overlook these consequences in the wake of good cell phones produce.  We are able to protect, gain knowledge, and connect through cell phones.  The most important lesson to learn is to balance and compromise.  Although cell phones offer astronomical benefits it is necessary to be cautious of the side effects of obsessive cell phone usage.  Society must monitor and limit the use of cell phones and use them to assist instead of take over our lives. The reason why society risk the consequences of cell phone is because the benefits outweigh the risks, however it is important to balance and use cell phones cautiously. 
