China seems to be noticing a problem with the overuse of smart phones. One report on the subject highlights two incidents were injuries occurred from distracted smartphone users. The incident that was the most troubling was the one of the teenage boy who walked off a bridge because he was not paying attention to anything but his phone. The government it is noticing the issue in calling for a change stating “something has to be done” (Shaver, 2016). In America distracted driving or using your cell phone while driving a vehicle was an issue of concern until recent studies began To suggest that destructed walking or using your cell phone while walking Is an equally concerning Issue. In 2013 Philadelphia recorded 4735 pedestrian fatalities which they believe is linked to misusing smart phones (Bigelow, 2015).\
As if the putting their lives at risk isn’t bad enough, cell phone use comes with a concerning list of other side effects. One article cites five side effects of using a smart phone that some may not even know exist. The first of these include blurred vision syndrome which is caused by staring it at the phone too long. The second is caused by damage to your body that occurs when people are on their phones too long or too much. The time spent using their hands causes damage to muscles and results in cramping that is now referred to as text claw and cell phone elbow. Third is damage to your neck that can lead to pain which occurs when a person spends an abundance of time leaning over to look at their phone, which is not good for the body. Fourth is another vision problem that occurs when you lo at letters that are too small for a long period of time, and last but not are phantom vibrations syndrome. Phantom vibrations syndrome is when someone thinks their phone vibrating in their pocket but it’s not. (Hawkins, 2014).
There is not much that can be done to stop technology from advancing in becoming something that people cannot live without. The world is going to continue to grow and we have to learn to grow with it. Since we are aware of the dangers of misusing technology we can take preventative measures. For instance, when using smart phones we can make people aware of the dangers of doing this when we’re supposed to be paying Attention to the things around us like moving vehicles. In the case involving smart phones in particular raising awareness about the fact that overuse when performing even basic Activities can yield life threatening consequences. Some suggestions may include, speaking in schools to younger generations in using billboards to share the message about the Reality of the concerns. The truth is the only way that this message will probably be really become noticed in a way that people will pay attention to is Sending them a message via smartphone. It is unfortunate however, evidence suggests that people will notice it unless they’re looking and the only thing people are looking at now is there phones.
References
Bigelow, P. (2015). Pedestrian deaths increase; cell-phone distractions may be culprit. Autoblog. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from http://www.autoblog.com/2015/08/13/pedestrian-deaths-increase-cell-phone-distractions/
Freeman, K. (2012). Why Smartphone-Obsessed Generation Y Can't Put Down Their Phones. Mashable. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from http://mashable.com/2012/12/12/martphone-obsessed-generation-y/#jV86nEo398q6
Hawkins, A. (2014). 5 Seriously Bad Side Effects of Your Smartphone Addiction. Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a24269/smartphone-syndromes/
Shaver, K. (2016). Safety experts to pedestrians: Put the smartphones down and pay attention. Washington Post. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/safety-experts-to-pedestrians-put-the-smartphones-down-and-pay-attention/2014/09/19/278352d0-3f3a-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html
White, G. (2016). Smartphone zombie Apocalypse is here! Pedestrian accident and death rates spike from walking and texting. Glitch.news. Retrieved 30 May 2016, from http://glitch.news/2015-12-09-smartphone-zombie-apocalypse-is-here-pedestrian-accident-and-death-rates-spike-from-walking-and-texting.html
