Positive Impact of Mobile Phones Usage

A cell phone is a small wireless device that has changed our lives quite dramatically. This device was invented in the late 1900s and continues to be a substantial invention. In the electronic field, cell phones have been a top priority due to a large number of people purchasing them to make their lives a bit easier. With the advancement of technology comes the advancement of cell phones, they have become a large part of our society and continue to shape us in ways we might not realize. Mobile phones have had a huge positive impact on American society and provide us with many benefits, including allowing us to keep in touch easily, functions that provide us with an easy alternative, public safety, social media, a way to vote and a way to reach out in the world. Car phones were considered one of the early cell phones, but they were too big and unwieldy to carry around. Many people found them to be annoying or hard to use, but they were the common means of communication during that decade. Marty Cooper, the man whose influence was felt throughout the whole world changed this.

In the 1970s he decided it was time for phones to be small enough to where we can carry them around and not have to get into a vehicle just to speak to someone. He is the profound engineer whose work led to the first commercial mobile phones in 1983. Him and his team were also the first to make a call from this portable device (“Father of the Cell Phone”, 2009). Despite the excessive price of 3,995$, the phone was an accomplishment that people were very fond of. Not only that but this was the first step to a whole era of new technology. Most people would agree that the cell phone is now something they can not live without. It provides numerous ways of communication through calling, texting or video call (Gregersen, 2017). Many years ago, people contacted one another by sending messengers or by visiting whomever personally.

In the late 1900s and early 2000s landlines were the common device used for communication. The downside of this was that they were not portable and often times it was difficult to reach someone if they were not home. Landlines relied on cables to convey messages from one person to another. Once cell phones grew popularity, people rushed to get their hands on a device that made interacting with people much easier. It allowed for people to reach their friends and families without stress or hastle. Cell phones have brought the world together by allowing people to communicate no matter where they are as long as there is network coverage.

One-third of online adults claim that the internet has improved their connections with friends and almost one-quarter say that it has improved their connection with their family members (Wellman, 2008). This enable families to keep in touch despite geographical differences and allows for them to know what is going on in the lives of their loved ones. Early cell phones were oftentimes used for talking only, but soon enough features like voicemail and email were added.

In today’s world cell phones are commonly used for non traditional phone activities like finding a job or reading a book. A 2015 survey conducted by Pew Research Center shows that about 28% of adults have used their cell phones to look for a job. Cell phones are now capable of storing data, taking pictures, keeping reminders, having easy access to the internet and providing a GPS. Smart phones have also allowed booking appointment to be much easier. According to a survey conducted by Patientpop, current and potential patients prefer self-scheduling versus someone else doing it for you. 71% of patients prefer to schedule online and review digital reminders rather than by phone contact (“SURVEY”, 2017).

According to a report by Accenture, 64% of patents will make appointments online and 986 million appointments will be scheduled independently. (“Patient Engagement”) The use of mobile phones for booking appointments seems reasonable because it offers a direct connection to a patient and provider. Some may say that this has caused society to become lazy or be indolent but with the fast paced improvements, they have only allowed life to be much easier (Rainie, Lee and Perrin, 2017). Not only that but in case of an emergency, having a cell phone allows you to make 911 calls almost immediately.

The number of 911 calls made by people using wireless phones has increased profoundly in recent years. The Federal Communications Commission estimates that 70 percent of 911 calls are made from mobile devices and states they are important to public safety. This gives more of a reason for people to own a wireless phone (“911 Wireless Services, 2017). Owning a cell phone has changed the way people react in emergency situations. If an individual was to have a flat tire, instead of stressing out about it, they could call someone to come bring them a spare. There are various things you can do with your cell phone that will help keep you safe.

A study published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine found that patients are more likely to survive when emergency calls are made from a mobile phone because of the speedy response.  The results showed that of the 354,199 ambulances dispatched to attend emergency incidents, 66 percent transported patients to the hospital while 2 percent did not due to death at the scene. The researchers who conducted this study also found that around 137 more lives are saved per 100,00 patients when emergency cell phones calls are made. (Mobile Phone)

As a matter of fact cell phones consume a lot less power than a normal desktop computer, allowing many people to have personal, quick, and easy access to the internet. Cell Phones and handheld devices have outnumbered desktop computers drastically. A major use of cell phones is for social media. The social life of people has changed quite dramatically over the last decade. Social media platforms offer cell phone users a place to learn new things and to have their voices heard. This can provide young people with the opportunity to learn how to function successfully in a community.

Social networks have encouraged people to manage an online presence and be able to interact well online, which is becoming an important skill in the workplace. Knowing how to adapt to new technology, services and environments all comes with the process of developing key skills through social media. Not only that but social media has allowed for young people to be social participants and active citizens. With the touch of a few buttons young people are now able to showcase issues and opinions to a wider audience. These services have helped young people develop their interests and find people to discuss them with. This broadens users by helping them discover how other people think all around the world (“Benefits of Internet and Social Media”).

We are now able to always be heard, become independent and resilience, collaborate with a wide scale amount of people, create our own unique content and participate in online activities. Undoubtedly cell phones play an increasing role in the political world by connecting protestors to one another. Without cell phones we would not have recorded documentation of abuse situations or national victories (Clark, 2015). Protest groups realized that the cell phone can do so much such as keeping documentation, human rights group have publish guides and provide training on how to use a cellphone camera in situations like these.

There is now a technology available that allows the person to capture something that can be seen around the world. Events like the protests in Sidi Bouzid, which helped spread unrest to parts of the country allowed for a wider scale of people to see the protests and focus on the revolt. Also, the tsunami that struck southeast Asia on December 26, 2004 which left the whole world speechless. Videos of the massive destruction arose and were seen from across the world (Stelter, Preston and Brian, 2011).  Being able to record and videotape has allowed for many people to keep up with what is happening in today’s world. Cell phones have also allowed for Americans to learn about national elections and partake in them. A 2010 study conducted by Pew Research Center shows that twenty six percent of Americans have used their phones in ways that relate to elections.

Twelve percent indicated they have used cell phones to keep up with the news, ten percent sent election texts to friends and family members and six percent used their phones for information about voting places and conditions. Activists and reporters are using these devices for public outreach, field organization, media coverage, and political persuasion (West, 2016). A discussion hosted by the Center for Technology Innovation at brookings focused on the impacts of mobile phones on political fundraising, outreach, and persuasion. Mobile technology is being used to encourage voters, raise money, and to help deliver messages (“Mobile Technology’s Impact”, 2016).

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