Smart Phones : The Negative Effects Of Smartphones

As the world grows larger, society is adding more technology. Cell phones have taken over the lives of many people. In most cases, people are either using their phones to pay bills, use social media, or to talk to someone in a quick way. Children have been impacted by cell phones along with adults. The users of cell phones have become blind to the negative effects that they have on a person’s health and attitude. The use of cell phones can greatly affect social skills, cause the development of hearing and eye problems, and cause an increase in stress levels.

In the past few years, cell phones and tablets have begun to take over people’s lives. Cell phones hold our entire lives on them, from what time we wake up in the morning to directions to get everywhere. People spend the majority of their lives on their cell phones, texting, tweeting, or even just playing games. Not only do these devices effect our social lives, but they also affect how we sleep at night and how much sleep we get. Sleep is very important in maintaining homeostasis and proper health, in order to function properly, “healthy adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep each night” (helpguide). If a person does not get the amount of sleep- they need, then they will become groggy and less efficient at work or school.

However, studies show that adolescents’ melatonin levels peak from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., which only gives them 7hours of sleep at most, without accounting for the influences of technology use (Finely). Access to televisions, computers, and cellphones promote alertness (Foster). About 88% of adolescents have a smartphone today (Zeitzer and Nathan). Although there is not a direct link in increased daytime sleepiness and cellphone usage, studies show that 80% of students that have a smartphone claim that they need it with them at all times which does affect sleeping patterns (Zeitzer and Nathan). Jamie Zeitzer, a Ph.D. in neurobiology, explains that the necessity of a smartphone during bedtime causes people to sleep lighter and spend less time sleeping. In her experiments about 25% of the subjects that slept with a smartphone nearby suffer from excessive subjective sleepiness (Zeitzer and Nathan).

Technology such as smartphones and tablets are becoming more accessible in this day and age, and their effects are theorized, but unknown. Adolescents can be seen almost anywhere with one of these devices in hand. Small-screen devices can affect many things, but one of the most concerning is the alterations that devices have on adolescent sleep habits. Since technology is so popular and doesn’t seem to be declining in use, it is important that we understand how they affect the population, whether it be positive or negative. Since adolescents are in the process of going through puberty and new biological processes are occurring, they are more susceptible to changes in their sleep cycle. One theory that was posed by Judith Owens, et al., was that “...exposure to relatively low-intensity light can alter circadian rhythms and suppress nocturnal melatonin secretion” (Owens et

Our phones and tablets emit blue light, which blocks the production of the sleep-inducing hormone, melatonin, and it signals our bodies to stay awake; even a dim glow can alter our circadian rhythm. Additionally, findings in a recent article in PLOS [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0165331] indicate people who spend a significant amount of time using their smartphones at bedtime experience both a lesser quality of sleep and a reduced duration. In reality, our attempts to wind down using social media may leave us stimulated–the exact opposite of the peaceful slumber most of us are trying to

In addition to negatively impacting attention span, smartphones are also negatively impacting sleep. According to many sleep experts, teenagers should get around nine hours of sleep per night and avoid getting anything under seven hours; however, “57 percent more teens were sleep deprived in 2015 than in 1991” and from 2012 to 2015, “22 percent more teens failed to get seven hours of sleep” (Twenge). It is important to realize that this increase is around the time when most teenagers got a smartphone which indicates that phones had

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” (Albert Einstein). In recent times, with the proliferation of cell phones and intelligent devices, there is a general concern for the impact the use of these devices causes with users. The excessive use of cell-phones, iPhone and iPod devices is becoming one of the major sociological problems people face, which has many effects on the physiology, psychology, and safety of people.

Much of the world today is dependant on cell phones. Whether it's for calling family or just talking to a friend they are part of our daily lives. They are progressively getting better and better each day. Did you know that 91% of adults own a smartphone or just even a regular flip phone, and that 60% of teens own a cellphone. Everyday the number of teens with cell phones increase. Cell phones come with many positives. For example, they allow you to have mini computer in the palm of your hand which allows you to use things like a calculator. Although there are many good things that come with a cell phone there are many negatives. For instance, radiofrequency exposure and increased stress levels are just a few of the many bad things that come with having a cellphone. Cell phones can not only affect your mental health they also affect your physical health (Borreli). Even though there are some good things that come from cell phones, there are a significant amount of more bad things that come along with having a cellphone. Cell phones are bad for your mental and physical health.

The National Sleep Foundation found that 90 percent of Americans regularly use electronics before bed. Smart phones are linked to having trouble falling asleep and interrupting sleep (Helmer). The unnatural light triggers brain activity, when you are supposed to be winding down for the night. The phone light fools with the chemicals in the brain that encourage sleep. Melatonin is the hormone that keeps a constant internal clock in the sleep cycle. Studies have shown that up to two hours of electronic light exposure decreased melatonin levels by nearly 22

In 2016 there was over 40,000 fatalities that were involved by the cause of having a cell phone. Mobile device has a great impact in the human race, by advancing in technology and causing harm in lives. Cell phone etiquette is not disrespecting a person by discarding the conversation and getting on the phone. Today’ s modern world people all around the planet have a cellular device, but do people really know how to use a cell phone? Why do teachers get so frustrated when a student is on their phone while there lecturing? People all around the world are blind of how disrespectful they can be, just by being on the phone. Teachers especially face these types of disrespect from students always on their phones. In 2013, students were ask to

Some people believe smartphones have a negative effect on people, because they waste a lot of their time playing with their phone. We worry about where the nearest Wi-Fi is and what is new about social media. But, instead, we should pay attention to how much we use smartphones. Though smartphones are beneficial because they help us find people and information we need, they can also be detrimental since they are addictive and they get people hurt.

With the evolution of today’s technology, widespread smartphone use did not begin until the mid-to-late 90’s. Smartphones, being readily available, offer society a world of conveniences. This technology combines that of a computer with other electronic goods into a single handheld instrument. While one may argue that the smartphone has many negative effects, far more benefits come to mind. The smartphone does offer users several conveniences that make life easier and more efficient. It seems smartphones add value to people and businesses, as well as provide benefits to improve the quality of life using various functions. Today’s smartphones allow users to stay in touch with family and friends no matter what part of the world they reside. In times of emergencies, smartphones can even help users feel safe. The technology of today’s smartphone has enabled society to become more efficient in daily activities, communicate more effectively, as well as provide relief in emergencies.

Have you ever got into a good conversation, but got interrupted by a phone call or a text message? The presence of a cell phone is enough to change the flow of a conversation, keeping it more shallow. We are becoming absorbed in smartphones that we risk losing our own identity. We constantly worry about missing a phone call or a text message from our friends or loved ones and continually switching to Facebook or Instagram to check updates and notifications, and we would end up wasting hours each day by using such device.

Throwing away your smartphone and getting a flip phone would be a horrible decision that would put you at many social and worldly disadvantages. Smartphones have many safety measures that will keep you safe in day to life, and if you were ever in danger. Also, smartphones give you many social opportunities that a flip phone couldn’t come close to. Lastly, they have a multitude of useful and fun utilities at your fingertips. When making a decision on a what type of phone to purchase, you should choose the one best for the lifestyles of the world, and that would be a smartphone. All of these reasons are why I believe the smartphone is the best choice for everyone in today’s busy world.

Steve Jobs once said, “Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything. It's very fortunate if you can work on just one of these in your career.” On January 9th, 2007 Apple changed this society by introducing the iPhone, virtually putting the world in the palm of society’s hands. IPhones provide individuals with the latest technology, allowing one to do anything from chatting with friends to measuring ones heart rate. This innovation is excellent and makes society’s lives a lot easier by the simplicity and instant gratification. Although helpful to everyone, iPhones have become addictive. This current generation has become attached and less self-reliant, now relying on the technology of a phone. IPhones