CellPhone Usage
Mobilephone usage has considerably increased in the contemporary society.Most of the adults and young people including children either own aphone or have unrestricted access to one. Over time, there have beenissues raised regarding the effects of short term and long term usesof these electronics. Due to these speculations, studies have beendone to identify the possible impacts associated with the gadget.After much analysis results from these studies indicated aninconclusive outcome. However, there are certain implications whichwere identified and were indicative of the negative effects of mobilephones. There is evidence that the non-ionizing radiation produced bythe devices can penetrate human tissue although relevant evidenceindicates that possibility of cancer is not certain. The contentionarises due to the fact that other studies have indicated that thereis a relationship between the development of brain cancer and cellphone usage. This therefore means that we cannot completely assumethat there are no negative effects of cell phone usage. Apparently,consistent use of cell phones leads to the death of brain cells andin the end, benign or malignant cancers can ensue. Additionally,there is an indication that Alzheimer’s disease can be triggered bythe exposure to such radiation. These effects have been categorizedas either long term or short term and the long term effects aredepicted as the one that has more negative effects than the shorttime use. In summary, frequent use of cell phones significantlyincreases the risk of developing brain cancer.
Thedecisions that people make tend to have their foundation on theinformation that we obtain either from school or from real-lifehappenings. It is evident that the knowledge acquired from thestudies on usage of cell phones play a vital role in the choices wemake regarding how to use these electronic gadgets. Upon an in depthreview of the possible negative outcomes of this phenomena, there isa need to actually develop certain means or adapting or altering thenormal behavior of cell phone use. In the modern world, the mainmeans of communication has now become electronic. The use of internetand telephones has completely surpassed mail delivery and otherphysical methods. Also, telephones now account for the highestpercentage of communication. Cell phones have advanced in terms ofcapabilities. For instance, a high-end device is capable ofperforming a host of functions including receiving of messages,calls, sending of emails and videos. The increased functionalitymeans that people can now do virtually everything using the cellphones including playing games, listening to music, performingbusiness transactions, accessing internet services, sending emailsand even watching movies.
Theseadvanced facilities provide us with several dimensions of theevolution of cell phone use. First and foremost, the ability to havea wide range of functionality means that almost everyone wants to owna device. Also, the amount of time spent on the use of the devicebecomes increased significantly by the users. This leads to an issuecommonly associated with substance abuse disorders. The increasedoveruse of mobile phones and especially the smartphones directlytranslates to higher exposure to the radiation which was earliermentioned as having an association with the development of cancers.The other problem is that continuous use also leads to addiction andthe same exposes the users further to the risk of developing oraccelerating the onset of the aforementioned diseases and disorders.
Indeed,the main means of communication involves the use of emails, textmessages and calls. There are also other social applications presentin the advanced cell phones that facilitate exchange of informationbetween two or more people. One cannot fail to notice that even inthird world countries, a considerable number of people own a devicethat can make a call especially if there is network coverage. Makingcalls and sending messages form a cheap method of passing informationacross. The real issue arises because the relatively low price andaccessibility facilitates the high use of cell phones incommunication. Beginning from the homes, schools, the workplace,business entities and government, that rates of mobile phone usageare extremely high. This means that more people are exposed to theradiation and also over long periods of time. Apparently, excessmoney and time is spent on them. If we translate this phenomena intoa statistic, then a significant number of the worldwide population isat risk of developing illnesses related to frequent use of cellphones.
Itis important to make plans to reduce the frequency of usage. However,there are several factors that may hinder successful reduction oftime spent on usage. As mention before, the main means ofcommunication is using the phones and we cannot be able to do muchwithout communication. Nevertheless we can be able to create workablemeans in which to reduce the exposure period. Some people may focuson the studies which indicate that there is little or no substantiveeffect of mobile phone usage but assumption itself can be consideredas a means to its end. The little effect that has been identified issure enough to implore a change in the usage. Using the phones atcertain times of the day can reduce the exposure time or switchingthem off when not in use. Other means may include using other meansof communication that may not have such serious effects like thedesktop computers or laptops. Too much use of social media, internetand watching of online movies should be reduced.
Currently,cell phones are viewed as a necessary tool or a basic need for lackof a better word. People cannot go anywhere without them in theirpockets, vehicles, offices and homes. Children and the youth havethem in school, and colleges. A careful observation will tell us thatwe are all exposed to the radiations from our own phones and alsofrom those in our immediate surroundings. This discovery alludes thatin reality, the risk of exposure could actually be several times.There is a saying that goes by prevention is better than cure andcharity begins at home. By setting one’s own principles, we can beable to minimize the levels of individual exposure. Furthermore,awareness to other users can generate a sense of responsibilityprompting them to change their cell phone usage behavior. It is notan easy task but as an individual, doing so might have a positiveoutcome.
Therisk of assumption and ignorance to stipulated issues is one of theworst mistakes that one can do and ignoring the possible impacts oftoo much use of mobile phones is an example of such a situation. Themoment this theory is manifested in a person is the time we arejolted into the reality that what was said was true. Knowledge ismeant to help us make wise and informed decisions. This is a classicexample of information disseminated to us and as an individual, it isonly right to make the necessary changes to prevent damage that couldhave otherwise been avoided earlier in time. On top of that, theultimate effects of usage of cell phones is not limited todevelopment of cancer. Other studies have shown that other adverseimpacts exist including the dependence syndrome, undesirable effectsin relationships, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms. Other healtheffects that are associated with frequent use include visual issues,headaches, lack of sleep impaired memory and concentration, fatigue,dizziness and disturbed sleep patterns. In this regard, we must beable to ask ourselves, “Why should we expose ourselves to somethingthat significantly affect the social and health spheres in anincorrect way?” As such, cell phone usage is not wrong, the mannerin which it is done is the core issue that needs to be addressed.However much we can argue about the matter, the bottom line is thatadjustment to the patterns of how we access and utilize this gadgetis the key to reducing chances of developing or triggering adversehealth and social outcomes. Responsibility lies within everyindividual and perspectives vary from one person to another. Somepeople may not be afraid of the risk, arguing that the chances aretoo slim, but as a person who prides on being learned, there is aparamount need to practice behavior change.
References
Pedrero,P., Rodríguez, M., Ruiz S. (2012). Mobile phone abuse or addiction.A review of the literature. Adicciones, 24,139–152.