American's Overuse of Cell Phones

1100 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Theory about the effects of cellular phones in social life

From alarm clocks to step counters, price checkers to language teachers, smart phones these days have it all. Add instant connectivity to people across the globe, and it’s no wonder young adults are using their phones almost eight hours a day (qtd. in Spend Your Hour). Ironically, excessive cell phone use has neither increased productivity nor created stronger relationships—quite the contrary, actually. University of Maryland researchers are studying whether cell phones cause selfishness and reduce motivation to help others— and their results are indicating support (Dewar). And while it’s possible to multitask when performing rote activities, it’s not while action planning; deciding how to respond to another’s question or reconsidering your dinner order requires more concentration. What we tend to think of as multitasking is actually quick successive, rather than concurrent, decisions (Wallis). Thus, simultaneously conversing with both real and cyber people is not possible; one will take precedence, and usually, it’s the latter. Jonathan Rowe, contributing editor to the Washington Monthly, observed that “cell phones pull people into their own psychological polar field, and the pull is strong … what is it about these things that makes us so obedient, and so oblivious to that which lies outside them—such as actual people?” (Rowe). More than just ignoring the people they’re with, cell phone users tell friends and family they’re less important—than someone who isn’t even present. Cell phone use, or more aptly put, abuse, is causing a unique sort of family breakdown. Anthropologist Elinor Ochs conducted a four year study of modern family life and found gadgets to be one of the mo... ... middle of paper ... ...rtphone Danger: Distracted Parenting." Editorial. CNN. 14 June 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. Park, Michael Y. "Cell Phones Are the Latest 'Addiction'" Editorial. Fox News. 18 July 2006. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. Rowe, Jonathan. "Reach Out And Annoy Someone." The Washington Monthly 1 Nov. 2000. Print. Slate, Eric. "Technoslave." AdBusters 21 Apr. 2008. AdBusters. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. Wallis, Claudia. "The Multitasking Generation." TIME 27 Mar. 2006. Time Archive. Web. 6 Nov. 2011. Walsh, Bryan. "The Upside of Being an Introvert (And Why Extroverts Are Overrated)." TIME 6 Feb. 2012: 40-45. Web. "Who Will You Spend Your Hour With?" Ohr Naava (Dec. 2011): 1; 8-9. Print. Wikle, Thomas A. "America's Cellular Telephone Obsession: New Geographies of Personal Communication." The Journal of American Culture 24.1-2 (2001): 123-28. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Growing Up Tethered By Sherry Turrkle

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before technology and cell phones the only way to socialize was talking and information was in books that you had to go find. Cell phones are used for many things that we have right at our fingertips, but they carry disadvantages. “Complexity of cell phone addiction stems from multiple factors, such as educational, cultural, economic, mental health, and social factors, which could impact cell phone addictions.”2 Cell phones are used at all times of every single day for any reason possible. With the cell phone, we have the world at our

    Read More

  • Paul Goldberger Disconnected Urbanism

    1343 Words  | 3 Pages

    Paul Goldberger explores this theme in his essay, “Disconnected Urbanism,” where he explains how cell phones have rendered public spaces, such as urban streets, less public. Likewise, because of cell phones and other electronic devices, humans have grown lazy and impatient. Nonetheless, Goldberger explains, “Remember when people communicated with Europe by letter and it took a couple of weeks to get a reply? Now we’re upset if we have to send a fax because it takes so much longer than e-mail” (558). This demonstrates how Americans have grown accustomed to swift communication, thus leading them to become lazy or comatose; if an individual is attempting to create plans they may prefer to send out a text message rather than a phone call since it is a rapid communication method. However, when conversing with another individual via text message and that individual does not reply immediately, the person may become agitated or anxious. This is a negative result of progress which could affect humans, especially when considering a job; a grand array of individuals may apply for a job and several may be seeking a reply immediately, however, that is highly unlikely. It is with this growing anxiety that countless individuals have become inattentive. Even so, the younger generations of Americans are also dealing with a

    Read More

  • 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

  • Cell Phones in the Public

    824 Words  | 2 Pages

    Across the nation, people use cell phones daily to interact and communicate socially with each other. Unbeknownst to the average cell phone user, 4 billion people worldwide use cell phones daily. According to an article from ABCNews, people check their phones one hundred fifty times a day. People are not just using the cell phone for messaging or voice calls, but they are also mainly taking and sharing photos with them; 500 million photos are shared each day through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Apparently in our country, fifteen percent of Americans admit to sharing most or everything online (ABCNews). All of these statistical facts prove that ...

    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

  • 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

  • Are Cell Phones a Harmful Distraction to Society

    1446 Words  | 3 Pages

    A. “Mobile Phones and Society- How Being Constantly Connected Impacts Our Lives.” South University. June, 2013. Web.

    Read More

  • How Has Cell Phones Changed Us Socially?

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cambridge: Icon, 2004, Print. Farley, Tom. A. The Cell-Phone Revolution: American heritage of invention & technology. New York: American Heritage, 2007.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Cell Phone Usage on Our Social Life

    1604 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are more cell phones than residents in Britain (computerweekly.com, 2007). The first cell phone was invented by Dr. Martin Cooper and John F. Mitchell in 1973 (Wikipedia.com, 2014). Cell phone use has escalated over the years. Not only does cell phone usage affect the character traits of a person and their ability to hold regular, face-to-face conversations, it also affects a person’s ability to have healthy, stable relationships. Cell phones have changed from an item of luxury to an everyday necessity for some people.

    Read More

  • The Issue of Teenagers and Cellphones

    1654 Words  | 4 Pages

    According to the Pew Research Center at Harvard University, “78% of teens now have a cell phone, and almost half (47%) of those own smartphones” (Pew Research). There is no question that the number of American teenagers that own cell phones is increasing as technology continuously advances in today’s society. So many developments in cellular technology explain why teenagers crave the latest cell phone on the market. Parents of teenagers have to make the decision of whether or not their teen should own the newest phone.

    Read More

  • Cellphones Impact Family Relationships

    1000 Words  | 2 Pages

    As the technology of cellphones advances, the easier it becomes to communicate and maintain relationships globally, however, these ubiquitous devices lead to the possibility of diminishing close family relationships. In this essay I will explain that the way cellphones have impacted family relationships is, in fact, a genuine controversy. First, I will explain the overall debated situation, then I will express how valuing either technology, tradition, or communication all lead to different, mutually exclusive views on the influence of cellphones in family relationships.

    Read More

  • Smartphone Addiction Essay

    1014 Words  | 3 Pages

    The telephone has become so advanced that we no longer have to use a landline to make a phone call, instead we can reach in our pocket and unlock the touch screen on our smartphones. Almost anywhere you look you can see people on their smartphones taking pictures, checking emails, or changing their Facebook status. Smartphones have become a staple good that nobody wants to leave the house without. Though they are both very useful and very entertaining, they may impose negative effects that we are not aware of. Constant use of smartphones is so common that it has been studied as an addiction, and just like any other addiction, smartphones can take over your life. We must find a way to make

    Read More

  • The Negative Effects of Mobile Phones

    624 Words  | 2 Pages

    We should know how everyday life is changing and how this relates to mobile telephony. Work Cited = == ==

    Read More

More about American's Overuse of Cell Phones

Open Document