Argumentative Essay On Distracted Driving

With new technology advancements happening everyday with cell phones, computers, tablets, etc. people, especially teenagers, have become very dependant to using technology in their everyday lives. Just think, what would happen if your iPhone, iPad, computer, or laptop crashed today? What if someone took away your phone for a few days or perhaps lost it? If thinking about these incidences makes people stressed, they are not alone. Today, most people are into technology such that losing a phone would change their life negatively. Although cell phones are cool and allow the user to contact their friends or family with the touch of a button, phones also allow people to be able to play games in times of boredom. Besides that, for many people, technology

is used as a source of communication with others, which leads to anti-socialism and can also lead to bad communication skills. When people let technology do their work for them, it causes individuals to become more and more dependent, and eventually cannot go through their life without it. As a result of everyday use, cell phones have affected people's health, driving capabilities, and learning experiences. Technology is basically taking over the world with its distraction. Technology is distracting people all around the country because, students do not pay attention in class, people are distracted while driving, and it negatively impacts people’s self esteem.
Technology is distracting drivers all around the world.

While people are on their phones and driving, there is a higher risk of crashing a vehicle and getting into a serious accident. In the article on Distracted Driving in the United States and Europe, the author said, “Each morning more than 9 people are killed and 1,060 are injured in crashes that involve a distracted driver” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Many people are entering death traps when the decision is made to be on their phone while behind the wheel. This is talking about how many people have died or been injured while in a motorized crash involving the use of a cell phone. Crashes that are caused by distracted driving happens daily, and people aged 15 to 19 more often cause these crashes. In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, research shows, “The percentage of all drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at times of crashes” (U.S. Department of Transportation). Younger kids have more of a chance to get in car accidents. Younger kids and adults aged 15 to 19 seem to be more attached to their phones, causing their percentage of crashes to raise and become higher than other ages. While younger kids are on their phone and driving, crashes can occur and deaths or injuries can happen. Technology is a very distracting thing when it comes to driving, people just cannot seem to stay off their phones in their driving

times.
Along with distractions technology causes behind the wheel, technology is also distracting students in the classroom. Students are distracted by their phones during class, which takes away time that could be used to learn. In a research on Digital Distraction in class, the author in the passage says, “On average, students spend 20% of their classroom time using digital devices for activities unrelated to class” (Reed). Students are spending a considerable amount of class time on their phones when that time wasted could be used to learn. During class time when students are on their phones, technology is not being used for class related topics. Students are not just on their phones researching what is being taught class. When students are distracted by their phones in class it is usually a social website (like FaceBook), or even just a game. Students are not on their phones to learn more about the topic their instructors are teaching in the class. While students are spending their class time on their phones, time for learning is being taken away. In a studied topic over Digital distraction in class, Reed says, “If the student is in the college classroom for four years, they’d be using digital devices 2/3rds of their school year” (Reed). This quote is explaining that students are using up a considerable amount of time on their phones during teaching sessions instead of paying attention. When students are on their phones during class there is a tendency to not pay attention to what is being taught. When students are not paying attention there is a higher risk of failing the class. Students in college that are on their phones during class time are risking their future. People need to graduate college and get out into the world to be a successful human being, but if class time is not spent well, students will fail and risk their career. Risking their career is very bad, because people could end up being unsuccessful in the real world. This is all caused because of the decision to be on their phones during the time that was given in class, which was needed for students to succeed.
Technology does not just distract drivers, and students from their learning, it also distracts people from their lives by making that person feel worthless. Technology is negatively impacting people’s self esteem. Some people take advantage of technology as a way to go behind a screen so no one knows who that person is, and bully others. Someone who is a victim of bullying could do bad things. Being bullied is distracting people from the good things that life has to give, because people are so worried about what others have to say. In a study focusing on if technology is making us unhappy, Steven Hayes says, “Young Americans today are experiencing levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and related conditions at rates higher than they were a generation ago” (Hayes). This quote is explaining that young Americans have developed more stress and anxiety over the past few generations. The amount of stress, depression, anxiety, etc. has increased in Americans today because of technology. These higher stress levels could be from people bullying, staying up too late on their phones which causes lack of sleep, or even distracting individuals from important things going on in life. While using many types of technology, individuals are gaining symptoms such as anxiety and depression. The results of a study focused on technology and loneliness, Morgan said, “42% of Australians who used an average of four methods of technology to communicate [such as email, sms, Facebook, Twitter] were lonely compared to 11% of people who used only one” (Morgan). The more people interact with technology, the more people will feel lonely. Studies show that the people who use technology for more than one thing are more lonely than others. The people who use technology for FaceBook, Twitter, and Instagram for example, are going to be affected more by technology than someone who only uses one app like Instagram. Technology is distracting humans from the outside world, and things that are important. People are distracted and do not pay attention to important things, they are dwelling over what is being said or done on Facebook. While dwelling though, people are causing higher percentages of stress levels for themselves.
Critics argue that Technology is not distracting people throughout life. Americans believe that technology is a good thing for humans. Many people tend to agree, or disagree that the use of technology is good for humans. Technology is a very good source to get things from, but humans do not need it. People have other sources that information can be gathered from. Yes, technology could be a faster way to do so, but it is distracting. People can just use books. People can use books to find things that people need or want to find out. There is also a library that people could go to as well. Many people are reliant on the use of technology to find certain things out, when there are other ways that are better to look for. Technology is a big distraction for people’s everyday lives. People can use other ways and other resources that are better for the world. People may think that technology is not distracting, but if one truly thinks about it, it is. Everyday many individuals are on social websites and apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. There are so many people that are seen walking or driving around being on their phones. If people were to pay attention, there are so many individuals that technology has affected. People are not able to even take their phones out of their hands. Many people that are walking around with a phone attached to their hands, are addicted. Cell phone users are not able to even go a second without being on their phone. For example, many individuals are not able to put a phone in their pockets while driving or walking and resist the temptation to glance at their screen. Even those that believe that technology is good, can look at the world and eventually recognize that technology is negatively affecting many people and the world.
In this day and age, technology is all around individuals and seems impossible to avoid using. However, the overuse of technology can have serious negative effects. The evidence is overwhelming. Technology affects a student's capability to learn in the classroom. Students being on their phone while trying to learn will stop their ability to take in everything and actually learn the material. Technology is also bad and distracting while driving. Cell phones impact a driver's ability to focus on the road and only the road. Technology also makes people become lonely, or depressed. Phones can affect people negatively, and can cause issues with their self esteem. Overall, technology is really affecting people in the world. Technology is a very distracting thing for everyone. People should consider putting the phones down and focusing on one task at a time in order to improve their health and life.