Evolution of Cell Phones

Evolution of Cell Phones
July 27, 2014
ILR260

Cellular technology is ever evolving and consistently impresses society. Since it’s beginning America has been developing at a rapid paste and does not appear to be slowing down, whether it is the Industrial Revolution or the technology outburst of late. Since change causes change, it is apparent that society must alter the way they interact with one another when new technology is invented. One of the fastest growing inventions of late is a cellular device. These new devices have many uses for the average American, whether it is checking emails or browsing the Internet, it seems that people are interacting less socially do to the cellular technology phenomenon. With the recent evolution of technology and the things that ewer cellular devices can do, society is going through a rapid change. Some of the ways that society has been altered is the way that social interactions are conducted, the way that driving skills are learned, and peoples communication skills. Technology has without a doubt allowed us more means of social opportunity that would have never been possible years ago. Technology has allowed us to maintain long-distance relationships that would have otherwise possibly drifted into the past. Despite this wonderful attribute the fact remains that it is causing people to spread themselves too thin, slowly disrupting the quality of social interaction that as human beings is needed.

Figure 1. How Americans Use Their Cell Phones (2011). Pew Research & American Life Project. http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/08/15/how-americans-use-their-cell-phones/
One of the biggest issues that society faces today is also one of the greatest inventions ever created. The cell phone, these small little devices do many things that prove to be useful, however they also do things that prove burdensome. Social interactions seem to be one of the things that are impacted the most by cell phones. Not to long ago, people used to have to call landlines in order to speak to an individual now it is as simple as a text. Smith (2011) states, “83% of American adults own cell phones and three-quarters of them (73%) send and receive text messages.” (p.1). Whether conversing on the cell phone, texting and emailing or exchanging information on social media sites, social interaction has changed over the years. Ling (2010) expresses, “more teens report contacting their friends on a daily basis using texting (54%) than interacting with them face-to-face outside of school (33%).” (para 1). Cell phones are obviously not entirely at fault for the change in social interaction, however it is contributing to the matter. Figure 2. Teen & Social Media Use (2013). Pew Research Center & American Life Project Teen & Parent survey. http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/05/21/part-1-teens-and-social-media-use/
One of the most dangerous byproducts of the cell phones is the fact that a majority of drivers use it while driving. Many of the drivers within the United States would deny the fact that they use it while driving but statistics do not lie. According to Madden, M (2010), nearly half (47%) of adults who use text messaging on their cellular device have admitted to either sending or reading text messages behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. 61% of Americans said they have had a full conversation on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle and 44% of adults stated they have been in a vehicle while the driver operated a cell phone in a way that put themselves and others in danger. There are many things that drivers can do on their cell phones that can make them become distracted whether its texting, using social media sites, or using the internet it all slows their reaction time.

Figure 3. Major Findings (2010). Pew Research Center & American Life Project. http://www.pewinternet.org/2010/06/18/major-findings/
Another issue that cell phones present on social interaction is how people actually speak to one another. It seems more often than not that people are using slang terminology to convey their messages. According to Lenhart et al. (2007)
Half (50%) of teens say they sometimes use informal writing styles in the writing they perform in school, 38% have used shortcuts from instant messaging or email, and 25% have used emoticons in their school writing. Overall, nearly two-thirds of teens (64%) incorporate some informal styles from their text-based communications into their writing at school. (p.6).
The way that people communicate is a highly important feature that the human race has learned to master. Even people from different societies and ethnic backgrounds can make basic communication work. During the first and second world war, men used to pride themselves in their ability to write so they could communicate effectively with their families. Now with the uprising of technology, people tend to write in less academic ways. Often times I see people write using abbreviations during professional emails. Not only does this breed unprofessionalism but it also shows a lack of high work ethic. Another thing that seems to be hindered by this is people’s ability to clearly convey their message verbally. It seems that people that are constantly on their phones do not speak clearly when they are trying to get their message across. The use of cell phones may not be the underlying cause, however if one speaks more they will naturally get better. In conclusion, while the evolution of cellular technology has brought forth advantages such as, connecting with the world by an effortless click of a button, social interactions are being affected. This is only noticeably affected in a negative way when a significant amount of texting and online messaging is being consumed. In hindsight if there is limited face-to-face interaction, conversations and proper etiquettes will be affected in relations to social interactions.

References
Lenhart et al. (2007) Teens and Social Media, Pew Internet & American Life Project, Washington, DC, December 19, 2007. http://www.pewinternet.org/2008/04/24/electronic-communication/#fnref-656-19
Ling, R. (2010). Teens, Texting, and Social Isolation. http://www.pewinternet.org/2010/05/03/teens-texting-and-social-isolation/
Madden, M and Rainie L. (2010). Adults and Cell Phone Distractions. Pew Internet & American Life Project. http://www.pewinternet.org/2010/06/18/adults-and-cell-phone-distractions/
Percentage of Cell Phone users in 2014. Data source: PewResearch Internet & American Life Project, “Mobile Technology Fact Sheet.” http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/ Smith, A. (2011). How American Use Text Messaging, Pew Internet & American Life. http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/09/19/how-americans-use-text-messaging/#fnref-269-1

References: Lenhart et al. (2007) Teens and Social Media, Pew Internet & American Life Project, Washington, DC, December 19, 2007. http://www.pewinternet.org/2008/04/24/electronic-communication/#fnref-656-19 Ling, R. (2010). Teens, Texting, and Social Isolation. http://www.pewinternet.org/2010/05/03/teens-texting-and-social-isolation/ Madden, M and Rainie L. (2010). Adults and Cell Phone Distractions. Pew Internet & American Life Project. http://www.pewinternet.org/2010/06/18/adults-and-cell-phone-distractions/ Percentage of Cell Phone users in 2014. Data source: PewResearch Internet & American Life Project, “Mobile Technology Fact Sheet.” http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/ Smith, A. (2011). How American Use Text Messaging, Pew Internet & American Life. http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/09/19/how-americans-use-text-messaging/#fnref-269-1