How Cell Phones Affect Our Lives

CBS News reported that as of February 2010, 4.6 billion people worldwide had cell phones. People can be seen using cell phones all over the place, including in their homes, in their cars, in stores, in offices and in schools. Cells phones have a huge social impact on American society these days, sometimes in positive ways and sometimes in negative ways.

Maintaining Connections

Cell phones make it easier for people to maintain connections with family and friends. Users can contact family members or friends at any time and parents can easily contact their children whenever they wish. They never have to worry about missing important calls.

Interruptions

Many cell phone users keep their phones turned on all the time, so incoming calls interrupt face-to-face conversations they may be having when their phones ring. Incoming calls interrupt appointments. Incoming calls interrupt family mealtimes or time spent with their children. Incoming calls even disrupt their sleep. Obviously, all these interruptions present a negative impact on social relationships.

Texting

Texting allows cell phone users to send and receive brief messages quickly, without having to have a whole conversation. While that can be convenient at times, it also decreases the opportunities people have to hold conversations and communicate directly with one another. The more communication between family members and close friends decreases, the greater the negative social impact. In addition, teens often send text messages to friends during school instead of paying attention during class, which has a negative impact on their education.

Photos

Many cell phones these days allow users to take photographs with their phones. They can then send these photos to others. Since people generally have their cell phones with them much more often than they have their cameras handy, this allows them to capture images they might otherwise miss. Sharing photos with others in this way can help people maintain connections.

Adolescents

Cell phones can have an especially negative impact on adolescents. While it may be helpful for them to be able to easily keep in touch with friends and family members, the popularity of sending text messages may prevent them from developing healthful communication skills. In addition, teens frequently use text messages to bully others or spread gossip about their peers. In some instances, they use their cell phones to send inappropriate (i.e. sexual) photos to friends, who may then pass the photos on to others. Ideally, parents should monitor their child's cell phone use carefully to make sure he uses it appropriately, though not all parents do so.

Sources:

Center on Media and Child Health. http://www.cmch.tv/mentors/hottopic.asp?id=70. Cell Phones.

American Association of Behavioral and Social Sciences Journal. http://aabss.org/Journal2011/05HakoamaFinal.pdf. Impact of Cell Phone Use on Social Networking and Development Among College Students.