Stranglehold: How the Cell Phone is Changing Teenagers for the Worse

Convenient, entertaining and revolutionary, cell phones are truly a modern marvel. Existing only in fictional movies and books just twenty years ago, the idea of long ranged wireless communication devices available for use only the spot was simply that, an idea.

When the "communicator" first appeared in Star Trek, it was met with the same response just as many of the Start Trek gadgets were, neat but impossible. Needless to say, that doubtful attitude has since been altered. Cell phones are one of the primary commodities of this age. In fact to most people, take your run of the mill, dull minded, T-Pain fan high school student for example, existence without is terrifyingly unimaginable. In some cases people have even had their landlines canceled due to the lack of use caused by every member of the household owning a cell phone.

However, remarkable technology and instant availability aside, sadly cell phones, in a sense, are becoming a teenaged corrosion. Of course, problems such as driving while talking and cell phones in school, have been an issue for some time now. But there clearly seems to be more of a long lasting psychological effect these astonishing gadgets are having on people, specifically teens.

First off, it's ridiculous to ramble on and on about how life without a cell phone would be impossible and hopeless. While there are many occupations that are basically only possible with the use of a handy cell phone, many young people are gaining very little due to them. Sure, all of us have become more than used to the security and occasional entertainment a cell phone can offer, but it wasn't that long ago when the majority of people did not own one. In fact, most teenagers didn't even obtain one until after the cell phone had been around for a while.

It can be observed just about everywhere teenagers can be found. Constantly, cell phones are being pulled out and tampered with, as if there is nothing else that could possibly come close to being this enjoyable or important. In most cases, texting all the rage, but even if there is not text to be sent or read, that phone must be checked.

This surely has to be creating some sort of negative long term affect on younger society. Throughout human history, occasionally complete isolation had not only been a fact of life, but necessary in building personality. So many teenagers, even ten year olds who have very little need for their own cell phone, are never experiencing this since whenever that time comes around, it's into the pocket (or purse) and out with the Holy Grail, though in most cases it rarely leaves the hand. Whether be it a quick, meaningless text or irrelevant phone call, to stay connected is a must.

And what time could be better to snap those generic, self-taken, beyond stupid pictures of yourself. These common photos may involve (but are not limited to) peace signs, straightened hair, angles from the upper left/right, view from in front of the mirror (classic), somewhat melancholy, even depressive expressions, and last but not least, not looking into the camera at all.

On top pf that, how empty ones life must be to thrive, display, show off, brag and even argue about his or her cell phone's high-tech and unbelievable features. Perhaps some individuals with nothing interesting or unique to offer have such low self-confidence they feel the need for a cell to be no more than six inches away from their head while in a public facility. Because, everyone knows to be ideal with no cell phone in hand would be devastating. Pathetic.