Human Beings: Entangled Life on Cell Phones

           Imagine a nightmare where a person is chased by monstrous cell phones and calls 911 for help. A swarm of army arrives for his rescue but are they really his ally? The troops are cellphones. This may sound like a story from the science-fiction movies, but I can assure that we are near to that future. Ever since cell phone have been invented the foundation of the world has been changed. Now, cell phones have become the inseparable organ of body because we live, eat and sleep with cell phones. Therefore, the purpose of the essay is to study the biological and sociological impact of the cell phones. 

Effects

Biological impact

            In the quest of developing the world into a smaller place, the world has been covered by an envelope of the electromagnetic radiation more than before. Numerous research has proved that a radio frequency used by mobile phone is harmful to human health. A research conducted by Vini Khurana and his group found out that long-term cell phone use (10 years +) approximately doubles the risk of being diagnosed with glioma (a type of brain cancer) on the same side of the head where the cell phone is held (214-215). Using PET scans, a study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) demonstrated that 50 minutes of cell phone use changed the human brain glucose metabolism in the region of the brain closest to the phone antenna (Tomasi et al.). In fact, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified cell phone radiation as a possible “carcinogen” (Emily par.1). All the above studies show the evidence that the human brain is sensitive to cell phone radiation. However, there are instance when other studies don’t agree with them. But it is said, “Prevention is better than the cure.” Then, why risk our health for the mere piece of metal? 

Social impact: -

          What happens when people are addicted to the cell phone? Sherry Turkle, the MIT sociologist, says, “We lose our ability to have deeper, more spontaneous conversations with others, changing the nature of our social interactions in alarming ways” (Suttie par.1). It’s not surprising, for cell phones have already replaced our calendars, alarms, and cameras, but have we realized that it might replace our friends and family? For instance, when my friends and I get together we hardly speak with each other because we all are busy with our cellphones. Sherry Turkle says, “intimacy and empathy are born when we are engaged in face to face interaction, but when we put cell phone in social interaction, it decreases the empathic connection between people” (Suttie par 6 and 9). Even the recent research found out that the use of cell phones interferes with the human relationship and has the negative effect on the conversation quality (Weinstein 244). Moreover, we have been the prisoner of the cell phones. We have been bound by rules of the cell phones: text back if someone text, answer if someone calls, watch movies and videos or play games if bored. Now, people prefer virtual socialization to real socialization. I still remember those days when people in my village used to gather around Chautari and Chowk for conversation and socializing, but it changed when smartphones began to rise. Now those places look as if they are ghost hunted place. Therefore, we as a people should understand these concerns and act to make serious changes because it affects our health and social skills.

Part Two:

Causes

         The obvious reason for this problem is the society we live in where happiness or status is measured by the fancy dress we wear, the luxurious house we live in, or the newest and expensive technology devices that we possess.  Due to the society, people are obsessed with having new technology to be admired and respected, to enjoy the prestige and high social status (Petracca, Sorapure 65). Five or six years ago, smartphones weren’t as popular as they are now in my country. When my friend Ambik, bought a brand-new smartphone, he suddenly became popular in school and neighborhood. A person who didn’t know his name a few days ago, now knew who he was. Though it was six years back ago, the situation is still prevalent in my society. A person with new technology devices has high prestige and is admired by everyone. Personally, I choose to buy Samsung Galaxy S3 even though my Nokia was doing fine to fit in the cult.

          The other reason for addiction is features that it provides us. Before the launch of cell phones, people spent money for alarm clocks, cameras, calculators, GPS, books and calendars. However, now they can take care of all those things on the cellphone. Moreover, with just a few taps on the phone, people can get their foods, grocery items, clothes or any items at their door. So, why should they bother cooking, shopping or asking questions of people when a smartphone can answer?

         Nonetheless, the social media is the major source of cell phone addiction. How many times do people check their phones for notifications or messages? Probably a lot. The mobility, small-size and GPRS features of cell phones provide the convenience for the people to use social networking services. A recent study done by Mohammad Salehan and his partner provide the evidence that social networking services are the major root of cell phone addiction. With the cell phone in hand, people can easily connect with their friends and families. 

Solution

      First and foremost, people should change the society where people are obsessed with cell phones. The time has come to make the people aware about the effect of the cell phones. Human being naturally eliminate the threats that might affect their well-being.  Who could be obsessed with product knowing that, it causes the brain cancer? Additionally, individual members of society should make the commitment that s/he will not join the cult. The culture is bound to change when everybody is against it

      The biggest challenge: A no cell phone zone plan should be implemented by the individual. It is basically developing the routine habit where people turn off their notification (the biggest distraction) or put away cell phones from their eyesight. Now the question prevails: How can a person do that? The answer is simple, keeping oneself busy. People should utilize the time by reading, involving themselves in physical activities, and engaging in face to face interaction instead of text messages. The time has come to leave the cell phone screen behind and develop the actual intimacy and emphatic connection with people. 

      There are a few of suggestions to limit the use of social media (major source of addiction) itself. Firstly, people should delete the unwanted social media apps or even delete the social media account that they are addicted to. Now, many of them will find it a bit extreme. Then, how about using cell phones itself? By that I mean, using the software that limits the use of social media or even the phone for an individual. If an individual can’t limit the use of a phone, s/he should buy the basic phone which opts out the advanced technologies such as the internet.

Conclusion:

       Cellphones are like a tangled web of spiders. Once it has caught on, it’s difficult to escape. I don’t say that we should completely live without cell phones because it is a handy devise for life and death situation. The question is, will we sell our freedom/life to become the prisoner of the cell phone?  If the gravity of the situation isn’t realized quickly, then we will become the prisoner of the cell phone. In fact, the future isn’t far enough where a toddler will use smartphones to start the preschool instead of a pen and pencil.

Work Cited

Emily. “WHO/IARC Classifies Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields as Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans.” ElectromagneticHealth.org, ElectromagneticHealth.org 31 May 2011, http://electromagnetichealth.org/electromagnetic-health-blog/iarc-rf-carc/. Accessed 14 Nov 2017.

 Khurana, Vini G. et al. “Cell Phones and Brain Tumors: A Review Including the Long-Term Epidemiologic Data.” Surgical Neurology, vol. 72, no. 3, Sep. 2009, pg. 214-215, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0090301909001451. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.

Salehan, Mohammad and Arash Negahban. “Social Networking on Smartphones: When Mobile Phones Become Addictive.” Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 29, no 06, 2013, pg. 2632-2639, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563213002410. Accessed 15 Nov 2017.

Suttie, Jill. “How Smartphones Are Killing Conversation”. Greater Good Magazine, Greater Good Magazine, 7 Dec. 2015, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_smartphones_are_killing_conversation. Accessed 14 Nov 2017.

Tomasi, Dardo et al. “Effects of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Signal Exposure on Brain Glucose Metabolism.” The Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA), vol 305, no 8, Feb. 2011, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.186. Accessed 14 Nov 2017.

Weinstein, Netta and Andrew K. Przybylski. “Can You Connect with Me Now? How the Presence of Mobile Communication Technology Influences Face-to-Face Conversation Quality.” Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, vol. 30, no 3, 19 July 2012, pg.237-246, https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0265407512453827. Accessed 15 Nov 2017.