With the influx of mobile phones, one cannot survive without using this gadget. It is an indispensable device that serves a lot of functions from communication to entertainment to business. It has made communication easier and has provided opportunities for businesses to reach out to more clients. Although mobile phones were reported to have negative effects to human health, there are still numerous benefits that the society can gain from using this device for as long as it is being used cautiously.
With the emergence of smart phones, the technology has paved way for many people to access a myriad of services from phone call, text messaging MMS, email, internet browsing, games, photography, and even business transactions because of continuing advancement in mobile technology. Indeed, mobile phones have become a significant part of millions of people’ lives across the globe (Chen and Katz 179). Unknown to users, there are also a number of consequences when it comes to mobile phone usage. Mobile phones are hazardous to the environment and even to health. Prolonged use of gadgets such as mobiles can result to exposure to radiation and even contribute to global warming and environmental risks related to hazardous elements used to manufacture the mobile phones.
Mobile phones use electromagnetic radiation found in the microwave which the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified as Group 2B or possibly carcinogenic (n.p). The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that there is a 40% increased risk for brain cancers for heavy users of mobile phones (CNN n.p.).
In an attempt to prove that the radiation emitted by mobile phone can cause health-related risks, Hardell and his team have found in their research that long-term exposure to mobile phones are not safe as it can result to tumors and cancers. Prior to this, Hardell reviewed various epidemiological papers composed of case stories and concluded that mobile phones increase the risks of malignant tumors and acoustic neuromas (n.p). He also found that use of cell phones for about an hour increases the probability of tumors after ten years. These risks could probably increase as the person gets older. Carpenter (2) cited a research by Hardell that frequent use of cell phones before the age of 20 increases the risk of brain tumors by 5.2 percent. In a meta-analysis of studies on mobile phone use and tumors, the researchers found that mobile phones can indeed increase the risk of tumors (Myung, et. al, n.p). This is contrary to the findings of the British Medical Journal that there is no parallel association between the use of mobile phones and cancers (Little, et.al, n.p).
Apart from tumor and cancer risks, mobile phones are also associated with mental health-related problems. In a study conducted by North and his team, mobile phones cause behavior-related issues such as addiction, neglect on important calls, social etiquette, inappropriate use of mobile phones in places such as schools and churches, and use of mobile phones while driving (117). People who use more sophisticated phones have tendencies to live their lives to their phones and often develop a certain level of addiction (North, et al. 118).
Thomee, et.al (n.p.) support this claim that high mobile phone use can increase the risk factor on mental health. Sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression are among the psychological problems that adults confront with frequent use of mobile phones. Overuse is also associated with stress among adult men and women. Stanford (n.p.) reports in his article at the Telegraph that symptoms of depression, anorexia, and self-harm are exhibited by children who frequently use smart phones. It has also hampered conversations, which practically made children alone in their journey of life.
The technological advancements in communication have also increased the risk to the environment. In his BBC report, Kinver (n.p.) explains that mobile devices contain a wide of range of elements that may be harmful such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. These elements are believed to be harmful to the environment and may damage soil fertility and may pollute ground water. According to Pasternack (n.p.), mobile phones “leaves a toxic imprint to the environment” because of the lead, nickel, and beryllium that can be found in the printed circuit boards, the batteries that contain nickel and cadmium, and the plastics that may be toxic and accumulate in household dust, and food chains which were detected in some fishes.
If these technology wastes are not properly dumped, it could pollute the soil and groundwater which is already happening. Reports from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) approximates that there are about 50 million tons of wastes produced by electronic goods, including mobile phones. Majority of such wastes are sent by the West countries to developing nations (Kinver n.p.).
Often, parts of the mobile phone are made of plastic, often contaminated and difficult to dispose or reuse. About 140, 000, 000 cell phones or 4 every second have been disposed in 2015 which is about 4.7 tons of gold and 49 tons of silver that amounts to $56 million and $8.4 million, respectively (Rucker, n.p).
The materials used to produce the mobile phones such as gas and energy can support the electricity needs of many homes across the globe. These elements that are used to produce high-quality and sophisticated mobile devices results to emission of more greenhouse gasses that shatters the ozone layer and contribute to global warming.
In terms of energy consumption, the UNEP estimates that the production of mobile phone produces an approximate of 60 kg of CO2e and the use of mobile phones can produce 122 kg of CO2e yearly (GSMA n.p.).
With all of these hazards, many people still think that mobile phones are essential to their everyday lives. Since its launch in 1973, it has become the biggest competitor of landline phones, with approximately more than 7 billion users around the world (Ericson.com 4). In the age where technology takes charge on the lives of people, mobile phones are very beneficial in making communication more accessible. The development of features encompasses all the needs and wants of consumers in just one touch. Smart phones have made transactions easier and accessible to the public. It has reached out to people of various economic strata to access technology through the mobile internet and other mobile applications developed through the years. Mobile phones offer ready-made solutions to everyday needs of consumers because of the industries’ and businesses’ convergence with manufactures.
North, et.al (117) explains that mobile phone users utilize the technology for their social and psychological gratification. The theory of Use and Gratification explains why many consumers purchase mobile phones as soon as new technology develops. Consumers have actively involved themselves to fulfill their needs. Mobile phone manufactures, on the one hand, continue to develop their technologies to entice consumers to shift to newer, more sophisticated phone models.
Meyer and Schwager (n.p.) explain that the excess features, baited rebates, and presence of personal touch reflect the quality of customer’s experiences. The customer experience means all the aspects of the company’s product from advertisement, marketing, packing, service specifications, and even the quality of customer care and reliability. Mobile phone manufactures seize the consumers’ preferences for more sophisticated technologies to develop their brands in order for their customers to choose their brand name.
If we closely look at the multitude of benefits that mobile phone offers, the health and environmental hazards can be discounted. It has provided opportunities to improve communication, especially when one is away from his/her family. The accessibility of social media such as Facebook and Skype, all included in the mobile phone, can serve as an alternative means to communicate with family, friends, and relatives. It can also be used for business and professional transactions. Indeed, mobile phones have affected peoples’ lives and relationships because it offers various means to interact either face-to-face or face-to-face-to-mobile-phone-face. It serves as a facilitator in communication and interaction (Katz and Aakhus, 31).
In addition, North, et.al (121) found in their literature review that students across the Europe, Australia and Asia purchase phones because of entertainment, influence of their peers, sophisticated features, and the need to belong to their peers. However, these preferences are found to increase the risks of mental health problems such addiction and depression. A cohort study has proved that high mobile phone usage can be associated with sleep disturbances, stress and even symptoms of depressions for both male and female (North et al.121). The study has concluded that the more frequent use of cellular phone poses mental health risks (North et al. 121), especially among young adults who have frequent access to mobile devices. Photos that circulated in social media have also exhibited the possibility of obtaining burns due to the harmful radioactive elements that may explode.
The use of mobile phones can be beneficial to daily lives but can also pose threats to health and the environment. It has pitfalls that may result to long term effects to physical and psychological health, and may even contribute to the current climate risk that the world experiences.
Because mobile devices are made of toxic materials such as lead, it can increase the risks of developing tumors and cancers. Various researches from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the INTERPHONE project have tried to debunk the result of the studies, and stated that there is no increased risk of glioma or meningioma with the use of mobile phones; thus, it requires further studies to prove the claim.
As mentioned above, excessive use of mobile phones is also associated with various mental health problems among adults and children. It has limited interactions and hampered relationships. It has also become an avenue for anti-social activities such as cyber-bullying, trafficking, and pornography.
Its impact on the environment also poses a great concern. Year after year, new models of mobile phones are developed. Typically, almost half of the world’s population uses mobile phones. They usually dispose these phones after 1-2 years of life. Continuous production of phones depletes the scarce resources of minerals. It also piles up to the growing quantity of wastes which are not properly disposed. Indeed, the continuous production of mobiles prolongs the problems of waste disposal.
Researchers are keen in developing measures to contribute to the protection of the environment. Currently, solar-powered phones are being developed to reduce the energy consumption. Eco-friendly and non-toxic materials are also tapped to produce long-lasting phones (Pasternack, n.p). Governments can play a role in ensuring that the mobile phones are properly disposed by manufacturers. Proper disposal means allocating secluded and safe place where the toxic materials can be disposed away from the populace. This may entail a lot of efforts and investments to ensure that environmental impact of mobile phones can be mitigated and prevented.
The fact that the mobile phone technology has advanced since its development in 1973 cannot be discounted. Through the years, the mobile phone has evolved to appease the growing demand of its customers, offering a variety of choices, features and services and beating the popularity of the telephone. The customer experience has also promoted the brands and increased the preferences of mobile phone users for sophisticated and stylish phones.
Despite all of these, mobile phones pose imminent hazards to health and the environment. It may be beneficial in many ways but there are consequences that need to be carefully reviewed and reconsidered in order to prevent the long term effects which have already started. Consumerism and continuous depletion of the natural resources are all impacts of the creation and continuous development of mobile phones; thus, it is imperative to ensure that the hazards and risk are mitigated. Technology may have made the lives of people easier and may have bridged the gaps in communication, business, and education, among many others but there is a need to look at the other side of it to be able to formulate actions for technology to really serve the interests of the majority.
Works Cited
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Kinver, Mark. "BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Do Mobile Phones Cost the Earth?" Home - BBC News. N.p., Dec. 2006. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.
Meyer, Christopher, and Arnold Schwager. "Understanding Customer Experience." Harvard Business Review. N.p., Feb. 2007. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.`
North, D., Johnston, K., & Ophoff, J. The use of mobile phones by South African university students. Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology. 2014. http://iisit.org/Vol11/IISITv11p115-138North0469.pdf
Pasternack, A. The Environmental Costs (and Benefits) of Our Cell Phones. N.p. Web. 3 Sept. 2009. http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/the-environmental-costs-and-benefits-of-our-cell-phones.html
Rucker, J. The Environmental Impact of Cell Phones. Techi Online. Web. 11 January 2015
Stanford, P. “Are Mobile Phones making our children mentally ill?” The Telegraph. Web. 21 March 2015.
Thomee, S. et. al. “Mobile phone use and stress, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of depression among young adults--a prospective cohort study.” BMC Public Health. Web. 31 Jan 2011
