There are innumerable benefits of a mobile phone, and there is a steady rise in the percentage of the population owning a mobile. The new technology is fast becoming easily accessible and affordable. However, recent studies reveal the downsides of the convenient technology that can lead to several negative impacts as it can; lead to behavioral patterns that can turn addictive.Outline
The mobile technology is providing freedom but at the same time it carries the power of being addictive. People are spending more than 10 hours on their cellphones.
The younger generation gets easily distracted by the new technologies and those long hours indeed point out to cell phone addictions.
There is a difference in the pattern of mobile use among men and women.
Cell phones are leading to higher depression because of the damaged relationships.
Technological addictions such as addiction to cell phones are a subset of behavioral addiction involving human-machine interaction.
ESSAY Wherever you go, there are people busy with their mobiles, sending text messages, reading emails, playing games on their mobile, when they are not making calls. One stays and feels connected to the internet at all times and enjoys compete for freedom on their mobile when it comes to communication. Mobiles offer freedom but at the same time carry the power of being addictive. According to Goodrich (2014), college students are spending more than 10 hours a day on their cellphones, as stated by a Baylor University study.
Thesis The essay looks at the higher penetration of mobiles in our lives and their patterns of use. It discusses the addictive nature of mobile usage and how our dependency on them is leading to other problems. The current-day fascination with the cell-phone is encouraging people to spend more time with their cell phones rather than with fellow humans. As Roberts et al. (2014) asserts the fascination is higher among the college students in particular. About 77% of 18- to 29-year-olds access the Internet via their cell phone. Excessive use of cellphones poses serious risks for students as it can change their behavior and thinking patterns. How the college students interact, gather information and communicate with each other is lot different. They find themselves getting increasingly dependent on their cellphones. Technological addictions such as addiction to cell phones are a subset of behavioral addiction involving human-machine interaction. It is essential to note that cell-phone addiction does not develop happen overnight, and take place via a process as stated by Roberts et al. (2014). Youngsters get easily fascinated by the new technology. Technological addictions such as addiction to cell phones are a subset of behavioral addiction involving human-machine interaction. The concept of addiction carries multiple dimensions and earlier was generalized for behaviors like gambling and substance abuse. Behavioral addiction points to a loss of control over certain behavior and is a constant compulsion that repeats a behavior despite its negative impact. It is essential to note that cell-phone addiction does not develop happen overnight, and take place via a process as stated by Roberts et al. (2014). It means that the youngsters are not even aware as to how they are getting trapped by their behavior patterns that soon develop into addiction. According to a new study, extended cell phone use can develop into an unhealthy habit. People can be addicted to behaviors and cell phone users are already showing the same symptoms as stated by Kowalski (2014). They look at smartphones to lift their moods and panic if their cell phone is not near them or gets misplaced or lost. People are not aware but the excessive usage of the cell phone is already interfering their normal social activities and relations with their family. Women spend more time on their cellphones as compared to men. The men use their cellphones for practical and entertainment purposes while women tend to build relationships over cellphone conversations. Men showed a higher likelihood of addiction with their greater use of apps while women show higher usage of Pinterest, Amazon or Instagram (Kowalski 2014). Higher cellphone use can also impact romantic relationships according to David and Robert (2015). Baylor University’s Hankamer School confirms that cell phones are leading to higher depression because of the damaged relationships. Distraction because of cell phones and partner phone snubbing (Phubbing) are the major causes behind. Lower relationship satisfaction because of the cellphone addiction can only lead to depression. Constant checking of cell phones, glancing at the phone, keeping the cell phone in their hand all the time, send some wrong signals in a relationship or when one is having a conversation. Those symptoms reflect involvement and addiction of partners that can impact their romantic relationship in a negative way. Recent surveys of couples admit to being phubbed by their partner that leads to conflict in their relationships and depressed. The findings suggest that those momentary distractions can be a big deal as they can harm a relationship. To conclude on the subject of cell phone addition, students should keep an eye on the usage of their cell phones as the risk of addiction rises with the use of the cellphone. Students can check their typical symptoms of addiction with their excessive use and withdrawal. Study results suggest that activities performed on cell-phone vary in type and across gender. Students are enjoying communication and socializing as well as facilities of gathering information on their cell phone. However, the new technology is enslaving them and making them highly dependable. However, a more consistent research is required in this direction to measure cell phone addiction.
Works Cited
David, Meredith and Roberts, J.A." Baylor Study: Cellphones Can Damage Romantic Relationships, Lead to Depression. ” Baylor. 2015. Web. 25 Jan. 2016.
Goodrich, Terry." Cellphone Addiction Is ‘an Increasingly Realistic Possibility, Baylor Study of College Students Reveals,” Baylor. 2014. Web. 25 Jan. 2016
Kowalski, Kathiann." Watch out: Cell phones can be addictive." Student.societyforscience. 2014. Web. 25 Jan. 2016
Roberts, James A., Luc Honore Petnji Yaya, And Chris Manolis. “The Invisible Addiction: Cell- Phone Activities and Addiction among Male and Female College Students.” Journal of Behavioral Addictions 3.4 (2014): 254–265. PMC. Web. 25 Jan. 2016.
