When Is Being Plugged In Too Much Essay

There have been many studies done on the negative psychological and sociological effects of technology while some may be true technology has its share of positive effects on society. The advances of technology have aided in the access to information from relatively anywhere. According to Hepburn (2013) “By the end of 2014, the number of Internet users was expected to be almost 3 billion, two-thirds of whom live in the developing world, and the number of mobile broadband subscriptions was expected to reach 2.3 billion globally” (as cited in Yáñez, Okada, & Palau2015, p.89). It has become easier to stay connected to family, friends, access personal information, and has improved educational opportunities. Technology is always evolving and changing for the better. “Mobile technologies and networks are increasingly expanding in their sophistication and capacity, and new applications (software programs) are enhancing the ways in which individuals interact” (Giota, 2014).

Like Solnit, I believe society, especially the younger generation, has suffered greatly with the expansion of the Digital Revolution that we are now living in. One of the main perpetrators in my opinion is the emergence of the smartphone. Considering that presently there are over four billion mobile phone users in the world right now, and that 3.5 billion people with access to the internet in 2016, a 900% increase since the year 2000, it is no wonder that our society has changed drastically in these past few years. Thanks to smartphones, the vast population of the world now have easy access to the internet from their back pocket. In recent years smartphones have become the most popular way to surf the web, so with that in mind I have chosen the smartphone as an object which will signify how our culture has changed in recent history.

Ever since technology began so prominent in the modern world, can anyone remember going outside for more than 30 minutes and not see a cell phone or computer? Probably not, as these pieces of technology have become so ingrained in people’s lives, no one wants to leave their home without still being connected. And there is no reason to, as friends, family, and strangers share the same sentiments. Unplugging from technology is not only a decision people don’t make for personal reasons, it simply isn’t conducive to a productive life, as many people’s work and social lives wouldn’t be the same, if exist at all, without being connected to other people or the internet with just a single touch.

Through the years technology has been evolving increasingly, from flip phones to smartphones to watches used as phones, type writers to laptops to touch screen laptops and radios to basic televisions to big screens to flat screens and on to smart screens. Growing up, I would often spend time watching many hours of television. As a teenager, I also would begin spending more time on phone; talking, texting and video chatting. In today the world, the internet is highly influential, and is filled with a plethora of information about many things. For a long time, phones and the internet have become very problematic because of the lack of communication. Because technology may have a negative effect, it can lead to an overload from the media, to phones hindering writing skills and online communication can affect face to face communication.

Cell phones and the computers are similar to each other in many different ways. One of the most common similarities is the internet aspect. With everyone connected to the internet, the adverse effects can spread throughout like a virus. “A Nielsen study released in 2010 indicated that texting was the primary reason for purchasing mobile phones and that text communication had become a "’centerpiece of mobile teen behavior.’" The modern smartphone of the 2010s is a powerful computing device, and the rapid and ongoing development of new applications provides users with a growing number of ways to use mobile phones for recreation, productivity, and social communication” (Issitt 2016). In the following Issitt states, “however, as smartphones have become more common, concerns about the detrimental effects of smartphone use have also increased.” (Issitt 2016). Issitt expresses the large growth of people with smartphones has its positives and negatives. The positives being the ability to communicate, but the negative being the effects on relationships with one another. An example of the negative side of things is the lack of interaction with people. People are more likely to call or text instead of interacting with one another. The lack of interaction can ruin relationships, or make people feel unwanted. In the article “Eurasian Journal of Educational Research,” the writer states that the internet, “can transform into an addictive instrument in excessive usage situations.” (Gunduz 2017). The statement explains the issue of the unnecessary use of the internet as a growing addictive process that is taking over more and more

In a world where the functions of cellphones, robotics, and such technology are rising, humans are becoming more and more dependent on them on a day to day basis. People are seen using a cell phone all the time and pretty much all jobs use some sort of technology in order to aid the workers. Essay authors published in the book “They Say/I Say” all have different opinions on whether or not all this rise of technology is a beneficial thing for humans or not. In the article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Nicholas Carr believes that the internet is altering the way that his mind works when he is reading and Sherry Turkle’s article “No Need to Call” depicts several instances of people’s lives and how they are affected by their phones and computers.

The people in the world today need to focus more on the real world. When someone leaves their phone at home they should not constantly be upset and panicky because they are missing the feeling of a phone in their pocket. There are more important things to worry about in the world, and there is so much more that people could focus on. Too many people drain their energy by sitting in front of a computer or carrying a phone in front of their face.

Electronic devices are consuming the lives of everyday people. Everywhere you look someone will be locked in staring at their phone screen, unaware of what’s happening around him or her. Electronic devices have become a daily necessity for people. Electronic devices are a controversial topic today. While some believe that electronic devices are harmful, others believe these devices benefit society. In, “A Thing Like Me,” Nicholas Carr brings up the extent on which humans depend on devices. The dependence on electronic devices has consequences. The consequences that come from electronic devices are in takes away from face to face communication, the devices cause distractions when driving which can lead to serious injuries or even death. Electronic devices also have changed the way of learning, people no longer feel the need to learn when typing a question into Google gives people the answer. Electronic devices are a part of society and can cause negative impacts in peoples lives everyday. People do not realize the consequences that electronic devices bring into their

For the last couple of years’ technology has augmented our everyday life. Alex Williams, a reporter for the New York Times and an editor of the New York Magazine, would strongly agree with this. Williams believes technology has changed the way we live, and the way we interact with each other. Schools are loaning iPads, tablets, and laptops to students so they can immerse their self’s in a world of cyber learning. Teenagers are drooling over their cell phones for hours upon hours, ready to text back the boy in their Algebra class. Parents are preoccupying their little kids with games on their phones. Nevertheless, this is making life easier and simpler. Alex Williams hypothecates that technology might actually have “beneficial [attributes]

In today’s society, people view the world through the very handheld electronic devices in their pockets, rather than going outside and experiencing life for themselves. They use their phones to communicate, share their everyday experiences, connect with their family, friends and loved ones. whether it may be from the other side of the world, or just the room. Cell phones have revolutionized the way humans communicate and socialize, ever since the first cell phone to hit the market in 1973 by John F. Mitchell. As much as cell phones are helpful and convenient, they have changed the world dramatically. This seem like an extreme claim to make, but evidence shows that cell phones have made the world a little more difficult. They have caused many problems such as fatal car accidents due to distracted drivers on the road, as well as sexting and revenge porn, which leads to a form of cyberbullying. Even cell phones themselves are harming their overall health, their social interaction, and even teen literacy. People may not have a solution to these problems but they need to find

Parker-Pope’s article sates, “…Experts believe excessive use of the Internet, cellphones and other technologies can cause us to become more impatient, impulsive, forgetful and even more narcissistic” (Parker-Pope 2). She then begins to show that people are not just addicted to our technology we are becoming very dependent to it. Parker-Pope believes that our technology is starting to hurt people social lives and impacting them greatly. Some ways that technology is impacting us that she mentions is; people losing sleep, people neglecting work to spend more time online, and people who are more interested with their Facebook friends than their

Since the Internet has emerged from society, access to information has been made readily available for anyone to discover. The Internet connects us to the world everyday, whether at work or at home. It helps us communicate with others; via email, social networking, or blogging. With the absents of the Internet, our society would be missing out on a vast amount of knowledge. Therefore, the Internet is unmistakably beneficial for society to use as part of their daily lives. Also, cell phones have evolved from being solely in place for emergencies, to searching the Internet and paying bills. People of all ages are using cell phones, whether for work or pleasure. There are so many technological devices in our society; however, this technology

Technology has become a great benefit to us but many people have taken it too far. According to researcher and surveys taken all over the world shows that a large number of people may have become addicted to their technological devices and are not able to make it through a day without their cell phones or other technological devices. Many have concerns that people would rather use these devices than to have a face to face conversation. The addictions of technological devices are on the rise. Although these devices were meant to make our lives easier there have been many problems to arise ranging from health risk, relationship problems, classroom, church, and work interferences. Statistics show that cell

My cell phone is my best friend, like a tiny mom reminding me and organizing everything for me. I have my whole life on this phone, which is good in a way but also very bad. Losing this phone unfortunately would mean losing every single phone number of everyone I know. Literally without my phone to most everyone I know It would be like I didn’t even exist. My overrated house phone has been oddly tossed away in my closet and my iPhone is now my new best friend. Without it I wouldn’t be able to contact my family and friends, see how they are doing, hear their voices from a far. I wouldn’t be able to text my friend and tell her I’m seriously only 10 minutes away when really I’m about 30 minutes. It’s great to get in contact with people you can't see every day but there is also a down side to this. Don’t get my wrong i love people checking in on me seeing if I’m okay but it also annoys me when I’m in the middle of class and I can feel the buzzing of my phone, not being able to turn my phone volume on without someone blowing it up and either calling or texting every 5 seconds it is just annoying, it’s too much of a distraction.

To find an answer I chose to make a commitment to disconnect from social media and texting for two entire days. I had made friends, colleagues, and my parents aware of the decision I had made. And the responses I got were differed from each individual. A few friends sort of questioned my reasoning behind my action and as they became more informed they were more understanding. My mom on the other hand told me “how are you going to do it”, her comment was the most shocking to me. I had figured she of all people would be completely understanding and okay with me going without a phone. When she was my age she didn’t rely on technology, her means of