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Cell phones have influenced the overall breakdown in communication (Dangl, 2008). How is that possible you might ask? At first, cell phones eased in the communication process by allowing one to be able to be reached more easily. However with all of the application advancements of cell phones there are less and less actual conversations going on. Now one sends a text or email, perhaps even a message on Facebook or some other messaging media. While this is still communication, it does not encourage the development of conversation skills. Hence it is the art of conversation that is being affected.

In turn, this is affecting the cohesiveness of the family unit. How? Many times children or parents are on their cell phone, whether talking, texting, emailing or on a social chat room, while at the dining table, while on trip or any other place. Howard Melamed has made an argument that telephones in general have caused this problem and that the cell phone is not to be blamed. Melamed mentions that twenty to thirty years ago, if we walked up and down our block we would have noticed teenagers on the telephone, or not leave the house because they were anxiously awaiting the phone call from a friend (2007). However it is the ubiquity of cell phones that have made it a juggernaut in comparison to the house phone. So at times when parents and their children should be conversing with each other they are watching, reading or talking with someone else on their cell phone when they could be drawing closer to each other. The argument can be made that while the children and parents are at home that this did not necessarily mean that they were spending time together. This is very true and Melamed himself argues that cell phones and their ability are inherently bad, but that responsibility of raising children falls upon the parents (2007).

What effects will digital natives see? It is unknown yet as many of the older natives are just entering into their 30’s. What we do know is that excessive use of cell phones in teens is linked to depression and sleep problems (Cohen, 2010). Let me pose the question again, what effects will digital natives see in the near future?

Cell phones also affect the way we drive while talking regardless of hands free devices (Britt 2006). A study from the University of Utah showed that forty participants were asked to drive a virtual car and that some crashed while driving and talking and none crashed while driving inebriated. Frank Drews, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Utah said, "We found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit" (Britt, 2006).

In another study the drivers were asked to drive a vehicle four times: once undistracted, once while talking on the cell phone, once while talking and using a hands free device and once while inebriated. Three of the drivers rear ended the pace car while talking and driving. Another noted factor was how driving speed and response time was slowed while talking and driving, regardless if a hands free device was being used. While the inebriated drivers also had slower response time, it should be noted none of them rear ended the pace vehicle.

What effect does talking and driving have on those whom are not driving and talking? All of us are being affected, whether by knowing someone who was involved in a car accident or by being personally involved in one. Another thing to consider is that we are also being affected by an increase of auto insurance premiums associated with traffic accidents caused by cell phone use.

In the United States of America, many states have implemented legislation prohibiting driving and talking without the use of a hands free device (Koivusilta, 2004). The fines are high but in some cases there are enhancements making the fines even higher. In other countries cell phones are being outlawed in social settings altogether. In some countries in Asia in places such as restaurants, theatres, and religious facilities, jammers are being implanted to keep cell phones from ringing (Ashraf, 2010). Ashraf makes mention of an American company “Key2SafeDriving” that is working on making jamming devices for automobiles. This would be an optional item that would also lower the cost of motor vehicle insurance (2010).

In the case of the United States of America, this affects many municipalities that now have to enforce “hands free laws”. The local police and sheriffs officers now have to enforce laws that take away time from patrol. This is not necessarily a bad thing, because this could also save lives in the event of a traffic collision. This also gives the officers another tool for probable cause to stop someone for investigative purposes.

Who is being affected by the inappropriate use of cell phones? Just like any vice, no one is immune. Some studies show that gender and race do not have an influence (Bianchi and Phillips, 2005). While other studies show that gender does play a role (Koo and Park, 2010). However the majority of studies show age is a key predictor of inappropriate use of cell phones. As in any case of abusive behavior and children, it is the parents or guardians who suffer. Koo and Park (2010) mention that in some cases the parents or guardians believe their children are going through some fad. However their findings indicate are to the contrary. Koo and Park (2010) say, “The children are not going through some growing pain but are actually going through a psychological addiction to cell phones.” Many of these children exhibit many of the same symptoms/signs as gambling addicts. They become anti-social, introverted, paranoid, exhibit signs of low self esteem and feel lost without their cell phone.

A recent study from shows that cell phones show signs of causing physiological addiction much like that of drug addiction (De La Puente & Balmori 2007). There is an obvious effect on brainwaves and neurotransmitters. How can this be? De La Puente and Balmori (2007) explain that cell phones emit microwaves that have long been known to disrupt normal brainwave function. Yet cell phones are placed near the temporal lobes while being used as telephones. De La Puente and Balmori mention that this is of great concern especially for the brains of young adults, as their brains are still developing.

What treatments are out there for anyone displaying abusive behavior, psychological disorders or physiological disorders? The fact is that we are in the pioneering stages for treating the before mentioned. The few treatments being administered are being modeled after the drug addiction model (Tibitts, 2008). This style of treatment is being implemented in South Korea and parts of Europe, focusing primarily on the treatment of teenagers.