Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE
Cell Phone Abuse
Melanie McGruther
Maryville University
Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 2
Abstract
As cell phones continue to grow in numbers and usage they are becoming an ever increasing
presence in our society. Beginning with large cumbersome units priced in a category where
only businesses and the most wealthy of society could afford, they are now standard
equipment for young teens throughout society. This paper looks at the transition of cell
phone’s place in society from the simple business tool to the 24/7 social enabler it has become.
It looks not only at the positive influences, but also the perceived misuse.
Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 3
The essential tool in our world is perceived to be the cell phone. The growth in cell
phone technology is shaping this perspective even more. The cell phones have grown from a
brick for business use, to a high-tech gadget for any age person, with internet, texting, camera
and video. Generally people only see the positive social impact and convenience it has brought
in our lives. In some countries there are a higher number of phones than there are number of
people (figure 1). People once used the saying “hip huggers” for pants; it would be a better use
for cell phone. The misuse of socializing with friends, the problems arousing in school and the
fatal automobile accidents are being ignored.
The Growing Impact of Cell Phones in Society
Cell phone ownership, the amount of individual usage, and the variety of usage has
grown significantly in the last ten years. With the beginning of the 21 st century American youth
began owning their own cell phones. With costs continually coming down, cell phones
ownership is within the grasp of more and more people. The fastest growing age group in the
United States is kids between 8-12 years of age. In 2001, 44% of the United States youth
owned cell phones. Today that number has almost doubled by 2009, 80% of youth own cell
phones. But, that is nothing compared to the 70% of United Kingdom youth which owned cell
phones during 2001. United States citizens assume the US has the highest number of cell
phones, but in 2009 the number of cell phones in China, 703,000,000, exceeded the population
of the US. Figure 1 shows the number of cell phones each country/region has and the number
of population, along with the percentage of the population that owns a cell phone. The
Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 4
number of cell phones in the world is 4,100,000,000 with the number of text messages sent and
received each day exceeding the planet’s population.
With the continuing growth in cell phones and their distribution throughout all
segments of population, major improvements in efficiency and convenience are being seen.
Parents are all for giving their kids cell phones because it helps them know the location of their
child (Swan, 2007). Also for teens parents find cell phones reasonably helpful to track their kids
by the GPS device in their cell phones (CBS News, 2006). Parents do not have to sit at home
and worry about if their kid is really where he or she said they would be. The cell phone gives
the kids and teens the feeling of freedom. At the same time parents can still be in control
because they are the ones who get the phone bill and can see when and who their child is
talking to. Cell phones can also be a helping hand to any age drivers. Break downs or accidents
are just a call away from help. Probably most recognized convenience is the ability to stay in
contact even when on the move.
The History
Widespread convenience and 24/7 connectivity wasn’t the original target of the first cell
phones. The original cell phones were initially marketed towards the affluent business
community. These cumbersome expensive devices were not meant to be used for fun. There
was never the intention for the cell phone to be used hours upon hours socializing. As was
typical of the original phones, these initial cell phones were not marketed to the general
society. They were limited in styles, calling plans and general options (Goggin, 2006).
Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 5
From only businessmen having cell phones to every one in two people owning one, the
world has changed massively because of modern cell phone technology. Today so many people
use cell phones instead of landlines that now landline polls are no longer representative of
broad spectrum public opinion (Keeter, 2008). Today’s cell phone society cares about who is in
your Fave Fives. Cell phone marketers provide package options allowing owners to choose
which friends are most often called and group those numbers into a reduce fee package(T-
Mobile, 2006). Along with deciding which friends are most often called, ringtone choices are
also provided allowing the owner to match ringtone with their caller Id. Cell phone companies
have recognized the growth in social use and continue to package and add to these popular
packages. The assignment of unique ring-tones and recognition of being a member of a fave-
five has grown into social status symbols. Friends argue over assigned ring-tones and being
included as a fave-five.
Beyond the basic phone technology, today’s cell phones support social networking with
many new capabilities. These include text messaging, instant messaging, and interface with the
internet. Cell phones now have built in cameras and videos to catch the times with your friends
day and night. Cell phones come in different colors and styles to match your personality. If it
doesn’t come in your favorite color, then you can always buy a cover from thousands of texture
types to many different colors. This piece of technology is what is called your hip hugger; it has
to be by everyone’s side 24/7. But, the opportunity to have this hot pink touch screen
technology at school, in the theater, or while driving often leads to misuse.
The Misuse
Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 6
Improper cell phone use has always been seen as an issue, but the train crash in
California in the year 2008 was eye opening for many people. This was the nation’s deadliest
train wreck in nearly four decades, killing 25 people, and injuring 135 out of 225 passengers.
The engineer who was controlling the train was texting while he ran the red signal and collided
head on into the freight train.
In 2007 texting contributed to 1,000 car crashes involving teens 16-17 years old. 21% of
all fatal car crashes involved teens 16-19 and some type of cell usage. Teen’s addictions are
leading to their own deaths and the lives of others who are in their car. The amazing thing
about it is that the teens are learning from their parents and think if my parents can I can. One-
fifth of experienced adult drivers text while driving. They think they can easily text without a
problem, while they swerve off the road or slow down enough to have a line of cars behind
them. Even when one-fifth is taking the fatal risk of using their cell, 92% Americans believe
driving while texting or emailing equals drunk driving. Many people are smart enough to not
drink and drive but those same people will get behind the wheel and text. Tests have shown
that driving while texting deteriorates ones reaction time by 35%. That is a higher percentage
than drinking and driving over the legal limit where the reaction time is 12% slower. Texting’s
impact is even a higher percentage than one who has taken cannabis with a 21% slower
reaction time(Nugent, 2008).
Kids and teens addictions to their phones have become a problem with school. Boys
and girls have managed to talk through all hours of the night thus harming their studies.
Messaging has become a lifestyle with most teens and this style has schools to their limits.
Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 7
Schools are now banning cell phones. During school hours kids and teens must put their cells in
a locker or turned off in their backpack. Breaking of any rules can lead to confiscation.
Conclusion
It is clear that cell phones will become an ever increasing part of society. They are part of most
everyone’s lives starting with the youngest teens to great grandparents. While the cell phone is
just a phone to the older generations it has become a multi-use toy and social engagement tool
to kids and young adults. While everyone agrees with its great benefit in connectivity for
convenience and emergencies, its uses are also perceived to be misused. While in general the
verdict is still out, cell phones use is now generally recognized as a poor choice while driving
with 14 states now banning its use (Cell Phone Driving Laws, 2009). Cell phones in schools
where once just a nuisance are now leading to confiscation due to the number of interruptions
in classrooms. As societies’ attachment to cell phones continues to expand, only time will tell
how the impact will be portrayed.
Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 8
Figure 1: Table shows a list of countries by number of mobile phones in use (2007).
Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 9
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Running Head: CELL PHONE ABUSE 10
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