Mobile Phone Boon or Bane
Science has made the life very comfortable for human being. Civilisation started from the scratch. But today, men have everything within the reach of hands. Inventions of science are wonderful and useful. The invention of mobile phone is an appropriate example.
A mobile phone or cell phone is an electronic telecommunication device with the same basic capability as a conventional fixed-line telephone and many more applications, which is entirely portable and handy and is not required to be connected with a wire to the telephone network.
In addition to the standard voice function of a telephone, a mobile phone can support many additional services such as SMS for text messaging, packet switching for access to the Internet, MMS for sending and receiving photos and videos. The mobile phone has become a key social tool, and people rely on their mobile phone address book to keep in touch with their friends & loved ones.
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The invention of mobile phone has brought about a revolution in the lives of the people of the century. If used properly, it can be a blessing but if misused, it can prove to be a curse. Mobile phones are a boon because now that the internet can be accessed through cell phones, they have become a great source of information, entertainment and even monetary transactions.
Besides being a tool of immediate communication, mobile phones are now a safety tool as well. Thanks to advancement in technology, friends and loved ones can be tracked down with the help of GPS installed on their phone. Cell phones today are a state of the art, all-in-one multipurpose device, which can do multiple tasks at the same time. It can play music, calculate, take pictures and do many other things within a short time.
However, if misused, mobile phones are truly a bane. Using mobile phones for a long time makes the user get addicted to it. Some consider it a major source of distraction especially for students. They also cause many health hazards. Radiation emitted by mobile phones can damage human brain cells and even lead to cancer.
Those listening to music in full volume, with the help of head/earphones are more prone to accidents than other because they are unable to hear the sound of the horn. It can also cause permanent deafness. Mobile phones, now being equipped with camera, are sometimes used for immoral activities and later promoting them.
A question that arises is if a knife a useful instrument or a dangerous weapon? It depends on how it is used. The same is the case with technology. The greatest inventions are those which affect the masses and thus mobile phones are the greatest invention which has brought a revolution in the lives of people around the world.
The younger generation has been introduced to mobile mobiles from the time of their birth and they tend to spend more time on mobile phones than playing or studying. Most incidents on roads often take place as it is an acceptable practice to drive while talking on mobile phones.
A survey conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMMS) in 2013, tried to find out the dependence (nomophobia), its benefits and harm in Indian scenario considering the tremendous increase in the number of mobile phone users in the past decade.
The study showed that youth in the 25 years of age studying in professional colleges use mobile phones quite frequently since most reside in hostels. Day scholar students, too, want to be in constant touch with their family members and friends since they are out of their homes for the most active portion of the day, and at nights while studying in colleges.
Similarly, a study conducted in the United Kingdom in 2015 showed that subjects tend to be anxious when they lose their mobile phone, run out of battery or credit or have no network coverage. The study found that about 58% of men and 48% of women suffer from the phobia, and an additional 9% feel stressed when their mobile phones are off. About 55% of those surveyed cited keeping in touch with friends or family as the main reason that they got anxious when they could not use their mobile phones.
A study conducted by the Market Analysis and Consumer Research Organization (MACRO) in Mumbai to study various patterns and association of mobile phone usage reported that 58% of the respondents could not manage without a mobile phone even for a day. This survey shows increasing use of mobile phones among students and psychological dependence on mobile. They are also prone to develop nomobhobia, phantom ring and habit of checking their pocket for mobiles.
Long term usage may lead to certain personality changes. In reality, these results give an alarming indication that in coming era more and more youth may become mobile users and so will be more dependent on mobile phones, which may lead to serious psychiatric and psychological problems among users.
Nowadays, almost every adult has a mobile phone. It is estimated that nearly 500 crore people worldwide use mobile phones. Its use is highest in China followed by India. This trend is having an upward swing especially in younger age group because of need as well as peer-pressure.
It would be ungrateful on our part not to recognize how imperative mobile phones to us are. Mobile phones have not only given us privileges but also affected our lives much. The world has become a global village as people can communicate with each using a mobile other all around the world within seconds.
During an emergency, be it fire, accident or bad health, there is no other source than mobiles which comes to our rescue. Mobile phones also help us to keep updated with recent happenings and help us to be in touch with our family even when we are far away.
Mobile phone etiquettes have become an important issue with mobiles ringing at funerals, weddings, movies, and plays. Users often speak at increased volume, with little regard for other people nearby. It has become common practice for places like bookshops, libraries, movie theatres, and places of worship to post signs prohibiting the use of mobiles, sometimes even installing jamming equipment to prevent them.
They are convenient, easily accessible, and of great use. One has to remember that mobiles are invented for our convenience and not to create a nuisance. If used judiciously, wisely and with public etiquette, mobiles can be of great use. It is up to each individual how they want to use it.
