Are Cell Phones Dangerous?

A cell phone is one of the devices mostly used according to the meta-analysis statistic taken. Approximately, 80 percent of the world population uses a cell phone in various aspects such as communication which is the main core. Others include making a transaction such as MPESA service in East Africa.

The concern if cell phones are dangerous has brought an argument. Some scholar’s supports and others reject instead encourage the use of cell phones in everyday activities due to the benefits it has especially to the current world. In my opinion, cell phones are dangerous, and there are research and cases reported as a result of cell phone usage. They include distracting drivers; create barriers to social connection and leads to health problems.

Distracting Drivers

Every year, there are reported cases of the accident which as a result of cell phone usage. We lose lives of our people which are caused by cell phone distraction. Our drivers focus on the usage of cell phone especially in WhatsApp, Facebook and betting and forget they are driving. The outcome is so pathetic and unexplainable (Cheng, 2014). According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (HNTSA), the estimated of drivers distraction including the usage of cell phone contributes to approximately twenty-five percent of all traffic crashes. Therefore, if a law is enacted to prevent drivers from driving and same time using their phone, such lives would have lost (Cheng, 2014).

Health Problems

Cell phones have resulted in health problems. Over a period, there’s growing concern over the potential adverse health effects of long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation from cell phones. Some of the health problem associating with cell phone includes the development of brain tumor (Cousin & Siegrist, 2010). According to meta-analysis (2008) of cell phone studies, there was a consistent pattern which connected cell phone usage and increased the risk of developing glioma which is a type of brain tumor. Secondly, there was a strong concern of cell phone and cancer. Cancer is one of the topics which have garnered significant attention from the public especially with regards to cell phone safety (Cousin & Siegrist, 2010). The word “radiation” makes people freeze. According to the research cell phone emits radio frequency energy from their antennas. Therefore, it increases chances for the tissues near the antenna to absorb hence results to cancer. Lastly infertility in the male has also linked with the use of cell phone. A study which was published in 2008 indicated that approximately 360 men attend infertility clinic, mostly participant’s use the cell phone more frequently had a lower sperm count, viability, and motility (Cousin & Siegrist, 2010).

Barriers to Social Connection

In today’s society, everyone uses social media. People opt to stare at the cell phone screen rather to have a face-to-face conversation. The big question will be what will happen next to in-person conversations? Therefore, this has disconnected us from the real world. And if continue this way especially to school students, the next generation will not know how to interact with one another in the right way (Morse, 2008). Secondly, nowadays the relationship are created through social media and in end people will not give the time of day when they are too busy double-tapping the newest Instragram post on their feed (Morse, 2008).

Conclusion

In conclusion, use of cell phone has both negative as well as positive impact. Therefore, it depends on how people perceive it. On my side, I may say cell phone should be used wisely to avoid dangers such as crashes on our roads, barriers on social media among others. Hence, cell phones are dangerous when not used hand properly with care.

Works Cited

1. Cousin, M. & Siegrist, M. (2010). Cell Phones and Health Concerns: Impact of Knowledge and V oluntary Precautionary Recommendations. Risk Analysis, 31(2), 301-311.
2. Cheng, (2014). DO CELL PHONE BANS CHANGE DRIVER BEHA VIOR?. Economic Inquiry, 53(3), 1420-1436.
3. Morse, S. (2008). Who has Durkheim's number? Cell phones and social interaction. Psyccritiques, 53(47).