Are Smartphones Improving People's Social Skills or Harming Them

1163 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The effect of technology on people

Imagine a life without technology, specifically cell phones; no Iphone’s, Blackberry’s or any other type of smart phone. No WhatsApping, emails on the go, taking unexpected pictures and talking on the phone whenever and wherever. All these are the features of the modern cell phone and so the true question is: have cell phones changed human beings socially? The truth is that removing cell phones from people today will undoubtedly leave them lost and incompetent. Before cell phones were invented, people were capable of finding other ways to communicate, one that doesn’t rely on a small object. Consequently, are cellphones actually harming people’s social skills rather than improving them? Back in the day, people used to communicate and pass messages by carrier pigeons and stone carvings; it evolved to Johannes Gutenberg creating the first ever printing press and then followed the usage of radio transceivers to pass messages during World War II. Next, the huge retro telephones were created in the 80’s and then came that Nokia phone everyone used to carry around in their pockets, the one with SNAKE on it. These days people feel uncomfortable and tense if their phone isn’t in their hand for even five minutes, but years ago cell phone technology was a symbol of wealth for the super-rich, holding that outdated Nokia phone with the black-and-white screen was actually a trend and seen as chic. 20 years ago no one could’ve foreseen that 12 year old girls would be chattering away on their phones with their boyfriends, that homeless people would have outdated Iphone’s and texting would be the new way of communicating. In a time where everyone feels the need to be constantly plugged in by refreshing their Instagram and Facebook pages every fiv... ... middle of paper ... .../ct-ent-1114-humanities-sherry-turkle-20111114_1_sherry-turkle-texting-cell-phones>. Kovach, Sue. "The Hidden Dangers of Cellphone Radiation." Life Extension Aug. 2007: 1-2. Web. 2 Feb. 2014. . "Statistics on Texting & Cell Phone Use While Driving." Edgarsnyder.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Thibodeau, Patrick. "Cellphone Vibration Syndrome and Other Signs of Tech Addiction." Computer World 24 May 2012: 1-3. International Data Group Inc. Web. 2 Feb. 2014. . "Texting Addiction: 10 Signs Your Teen Is Addicted to Texting." Examiner.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Wilson, Jacque. "Your Smartphone Is a Pain in the Neck." CNN. Cable News Network, 20 Sept. 2012. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of The Article 'Our Cell Phones Ourselves'

    1753 Words  | 4 Pages

    A common theme is taking place where as people feel that cell phones are starting to take over others daily lives. Many people go through their day to day lives not even relizing how often they are on their cell phones. In the article, “Our Cell Phones, Ourselves” the author Christine Rosen talks about how cell phones are starting to become a necessity in every way towards peoples lives. Rosen talks about both the good and bad effects of cell phones and how they have changed the way in which we work our daily life. Although I think cell phones can be necissary, the constant need for use could be the beginning of how cell phones will take over our every day lives.

    Read More

  • Our Cell Phones, Our Selves by Christine Rosen

    1761 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the essay “Our Cell Phones, Our Selves” written by Christine Rosen, the author presents a brief history on how cell phones were introduced into society and how this artifact changed people’s interactions in the physical space. Rosen describes the first cell phone that appeared in 1983 as “hardly elegant,” big and expensive (458). Cell phones at that time were mainly used by important and affluent people. However, seven years later, cell phones became smaller and affordable provoking a big change in society. This big technological advance did not only affect the United States, but the entire world.

    Read More

  • Technopoly: The Surrender Of Culture To Technology

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    Through phones we are able to call upon knowledge at any time but may people do not look at the drawbacks phones take from society. As the technology is released it is impossible to turn back the tides of time the culture must adapt and grow with it over time. Though phones have been invented to create an easier means of communication it is actually having an adverse effect of culture throughout the world. In many places people are growing more inept of having personal communication preferring to have conversations through any digital means such as text messaging, emailing, and snapchat. The growing inability to have one-on-one conversations is easily visible as you can see a couple on a date having an e-date if you go to a café such as Starbucks. The ability to write is also decreasing in schools due to the growing use of SMS language on cyber communication. With interaction both verbal and written on the down slope what Postman lays out in front of us in Technopoly is sadly becoming or has become

    Read More

  • E. M. Foster 's The Machine Stops

    1451 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a technologically increasing world, individuals find themselves surrounded by devices that are created for the purpose of making daily life easier. One of the most commonly owned devices is the cell phone. The cell phone has the ability to provide almost all the services of various other devices through applications. Ironically, cell phones were created for the purpose of supporting communication at a distance, and cell phones have become a cause of distance in human relationships. Cell phones are enabling disconnection in communication, dependency on technology, and a weakened sense of humanity.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Have Smartphones Destroyed A Generation

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    About a month ago I attended a dinner with some close friends. As we all sat in the restaurant waiting for drink orders to be taken, I looked around the table and what I saw made me feel more than a little annoyed considering I had not seen some of these people (or spoken to some of them) in over a month. Everyone at the table had sat down and immediately took out their phone. After reading the article “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?”, by Jean M. Twenge, the feelings experienced that evening at dinner were validated and broadened by the depth and scope of the article. Jean Twenge was persuasive because of the statistical data in her article.

    Read More

  • Social Change from Cell Phones

    650 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cell phones have created one of the biggest social changes in human history. We as people have gone from speaking face to face, to call each other on the phone occasionally, to today where we all carry a computer in our pockets that can do anything you want it to. We as people have gone from being social with one another to posting things on social media. It’s crazy to think that just 25 years ago you couldn’t communicate with someone else across town without being at home using the telephone. Cell phones have changed us socially in a drastic way. It has changed the way we communicate with one another, it has changed how we interact with others, and it has changed the way we act in public places and social gatherings.

    Read More

  • How Do Cell Phones Affect Our Lives

    672 Words  | 2 Pages

    Post World War ll our world has evolved tremendously, doing things many would never have imagined been done; from computers to green energy and even to air travel. Our world is buzzing with technology with people using it everyday, and the one thing that helps everyone easily connect every second, cell phones. From personal knowing cell phones are everywhere, in every American's hand to many Africans hands even in the bush of Africa where the town was out of bread for two whole days. Cell phones have not just become a cool new thing in our world, cell phones have become a necessity in our world and in most people's daily lives. But cell phones have also not just affected our world to make it easier to text my friend on the other side of the room so no one knows were talking, cell phones have affected everything from an economical to political standpoint everywhere.

    Read More

  • Essay On Negatives Of Cell Phones

    1253 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gradually, features like voicemail were added, but the main purpose was talk. Eventually, cell phone companies began to realize that they could integrate other technologies into their phone and expand its features. The earliest smartphones let users access email, and use the phone as a fax machine, pager, and address book. James Katz, an information technologist and author of “Is Cell Phones a New Culture” , a article in the Popular Science magazine. This article’s mission to deliberate the original purpose of a mobile device. Katz explains “ ... To clarify, it isn 't a bad thing that cell phones have moved away from their original purpose, because with smartphones and the technology, they are able to do things that no one could ever dream of. Modern mobile phones all have e-mail, games, social media, movies, and messaging, all features that can be accessed but, cell phones original intent were to be able to communicate through voice remotely.” Taking this into consideration, cell phones don 't even serve that purpose , thanks to apps like GoSms, Instant Message,Snapchat,Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp and many more, people are not even utilizing their oral communication skills nearly as much as they should. Surveys reveal that 88% of teens prefer to communicate via text than phonecall. Today, majority of the population owns a cell phone, but how many of us can survive without one

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Christine Rosen's 'Our Cell Phones Ourselves'

    1719 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the article entitled, “Our Cell Phones Ourselves”, Christine Rosen describes how cell phones have changed the way we communicate. Rosen tells the readers the main purpose for cell phone use in the past, versus present day. Her purpose is to make society aware of how cell phones have influenced our lives in order to inspire change as to how we view our cell phones. Rosen directs her writing to everyone in the present day by describing the negative results of cell phone use and how it impacts our lives and those around us. Without a doubt, cell phones are going to be a part of our world, but it is the responsibility of every cell phone owner to exercise self control and understand that a cell phone is nothing more than a device.

    Read More

  • The Pros and Cons of Cell Phones

    2274 Words  | 5 Pages

    Forty-one years ago on April 7, 1973, Motorola engineer Martin Cooper changed the world by making the world’s first cell phone call. With a 10-inch-long, 2.5-pound phone nicknamed “the brick” he called his engineering nemesis at the much bigger company Bell Labs (Here& Now, 2014). The phone gave 30 minutes of talk time after 10 hours of recharging and it cost a grand total of $3995. In those days, the average middle-class person could not afford to buy a mobile phone. By the late 1990s, cell phones became progressively accessible to the overall population. (Ef.org.vt.edu, 2014). Ever since then the sizes and the technologies in and of cell phones has been changing to accommodate the masses. Decades later, cell phones, and now smartphones, live in the pocket or purse of nearly everyone in the United States. Cell phones tell us the time, give us directions, take pictures, entertain us and help us exercise, all while making it possible to post each and every sordid detail to the internet without going anywhere near a computer. These new devices however convenient also bring complications along with them. This research paper will delved into the advantages and disadvantages of a cell phone, visit the health risk and factors affecting people who are exposed to cell phones, Discuss how cell phones have changed our way of communicating and socializing with one another, outline preventative measures surrounding the way cell phones have degraded our way of life and expound on the Thesis: Though cellular phones have provided many advantages since inception their cause more harm than their benefits they are worth.

    Read More

  • Are Cell Phones a Harmful Distraction to Society

    1446 Words  | 3 Pages

    Childs, Dan. “7 Surprising Ways Cell Phones Affect Your Health.” ABC News. 9 Mar, 2009. Web.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay: Why Should Smartphones Affect Our Social Life

    713 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is well known that smartphones improve everyone’s life. They not only give us support every second but also prevent us from being bored to death. Yet some neglect these benefits and argue that smartphones can ruin our social life, and that we should decrease our smartphone usage. In some rare occasions what they say can happen to sound convincing. However, we strongly recommend that you let it go through one ear and out the other ear. You should even try to be benevolent and help the minority of the population advance. Here are some reasons why:

    Read More

  • Negative Effects Of Cell Phones In Today's Society

    1899 Words  | 4 Pages

    Today’s society accepted phones so fast and easily, that most of the things that can harm us, are actually some of our social norms that we don’t even realize we are doing. Cell phones can have effects on the way people think and act, their interactions with people in society, and the amount information people retain from the direct result of multi-tasking. Cell phones are a very important asset to people, and good resources of information, but they can have negative effects on people such as depression, anxiety, and addiction to the use of the cell phone. Distractions from cell phone use have also been linked to many motor vehicle accidents as well. Cell phones were created to make our lives better, and more efficient, but do they harm us more than help

    Read More

  • The Impact of Cell Phone Usage on Our Social Life

    1604 Words  | 4 Pages

    Cell phones have changed from an item of luxury to an everyday necessity for some people. Twenty five years ago, a phone was just a way to contact someone. Mobile phones have become one of the most common tools of communications for both young and old. Cellular devices have redefined relationships and social conduct, and transformed the daily lives of many individuals. Cell phones no longer function just as a communication device. Today it has many other uses. Cell phones are used for games, calculators, texting, calendars, social sites, and pictures. In addition, there are many apps that one can download on a phone. Mobile phones help us keep track of our lives.

    Read More

  • How Has Cell Phones Changed Us Socially?

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    Most innovations have are two sides, the good side and the bad side and the cell phone is no exception. Many people find it difficult to believe that there was a time that cell phones did not exist. Letters back then were used to pass messages across before the telephones were introduced. Initially, telephones were used only to call people, who would receive the call only if they were near the receiver. Then the cell phones were introduced. They could receive or make calls and text messages to most parts of the world. With the cell phones, it was easier to write a text message than to hand write a note as it was before (). With time, the level of use of cell phones has gone up with more features being introduced. The cell phone technology is a double-edged innovation that inevitably changed as both positively and negatively socially.

    Read More

More about Are Smartphones Improving People's Social Skills or Harming Them

Open Document