Cell Phone Negative Impact Essay

Similar to the atomic bomb, cell phones have changed the world dramatically. In a society where people depend heavily on technology, cell phones are one of the most significant and popular pieces of technology. Although some are opposed to relying on cell phones because of the possibility of ruined relationships and lack of face-to-face communication, nearly all ranges of age groups in every part of the world are still owners of a cell phone. Therefore, the amount of cell phone users in the world demonstrates the importance and positive impact they have on society in various ways. Cell phones have benefited our society through instant communication, entertainment features, and easy access to information and current events through social media.

People who support the opposing side may try to say cell phones negatively affect communication. They may say we depend too heavily on cell phones for communicating with each other, which in turn decreases our personal skills because of the fact that cell phone communication always takes place behind a digital screen. These people may also try to say because of our decreased personal skills, we lack intimate relationships, emotional feelings, and face to face interactions become less common. Although for some people cell phones may negatively affect them, research has found most of the population does not feel the same way. In a 2010 study of two hundred and thirty-two college students, which researched cell phone usage and interactions, found that, “Affection and inclusion were reasons for using cell phones and interpersonal feelings were positively related to the amount of cell phone use. Also, loneliness did not have a direct relation to cell phone use” (Borae 611). The results of this study demonstrate the positive outcomes of cell phone usage. The study found that cell phones made people feel more included and attached in their social life, all while decreasing the amount of loneliness they experienced. The fact that these students felt more connected and less isolated should give enough reason for a person to see why cell phones have positively benefitted our society from a communication

By the use of social media, people are able to stay up to date on current events, post their thoughts and emotions, and feel better connected. In a study done in 2016, which examined the psychological effect of belonging and social media in college students, found that, “Students’ need to belong was positively related with their use of social media and smartphones, which could further facilitate their social engagement. Moreover, the relationship between the need to belong and social engagement was mediated by college students ' digital media use” (Kim 264). In summary, this study discovered that social media made college students experience the feeling of belonging, which increased their social engagements in a positive manner. These students felt like they were included because social media allows people to post their experiences’ and feelings’, which can keep people in the loop of what is happening. Therefore, social media creates positive benefits in terms of social connections and feelings. Also, since social media is mostly used on cell phones, cell phones therefore have the same positive benefits as social media