The Effects Of Smart Phones: The Zombification Of Society

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Smart Phones: The Zombification of Society Individuals’ use of smart phones creates a generational discussion of the effects of smart phones. People use smart phones on a daily basis as a method of checking their email, updating their Facebook status, or tweeting their most recent activity. Artist Steve Cutts paints an image that argues that society struggles with an addiction to smart phones devices distract users. The image creates an argument through the display of men and women walking while looking down at their phones. The image goes further than merely showing the men and women looking at their phone; the image argues that smart phones consume and control humanity. However, the image does not take into consideration the positive aspects …show more content…

The image depicts all of the men and women looking at their mobile devices, even though there are others around them. The immense distraction of smart phones damages relationships and social life. Scholars have recently begun studying the degree to which smart phones distract individuals. In Takashi Nakamura’s article “The Action of Looking at a Mobile Phone Display as Nonverbal Behavior/Communication: A Theoretical Perspective," Nakamura describes the importance of attentive face-to-face communication. According to Nakamura, “More than half of Japanese respondents feel uncomfortable when witnessing without permission mobile phone use by familiar persons. Even when observers experienced social pressure to respect private mobile phone use by others, many expressed displeasure, thus further advancing the potential for discontent” (74). Nakamura demonstrates that looking at a mobile device during a conversation sends negative messages to the people in the conversation. Mobile devices not only bring distress to the user, but also negatively influence the communicative interaction by adding elements of discomfort to the conversation. Through this discomfort, relationships are harmed by the weak communication induced by smart phones. The distraction of smart phones induces a level of uneasiness to interpersonal …show more content…

However, smart phones can benefit those maintaining a long distance relationship and those who struggle with social anxiety. Smart phones allow for users to show gratitude through the pictures they take on their device. If both the negative and positive aspects of having a smart phone are taken into consideration, a suitable conclusion is drawn that allows for the use of mobile devices. Going forward, those with mobile devices must be careful to not allow them to be a distraction. If users are able to balance the use of their mobile devices and keep mobile phones from distracting them while studying or in conversation, then mobile device users can reap the benefits of having a smart phone. Researchers and society should study solutions to texting and driving. Although smart phones make communication for those with anxiety significantly easier, society should consider the effects that immediate access to social media has on the individuals’ self-esteem. Scholars should also research the correlation between smart phone use and people’s ability to communicate. Further research will allow society to more accurately assess the control that technology has on society. The research available suggests that individuals must avoid excessively using their smart phones in order to avoid becoming the walking

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