Smartphone a Blessing or a Curse

Smartphones also known as mobile or cell phones have become a part and parcel of our daily lives, no matter what age & income group we belong to, offering numerous benefits that make our lives easier and more convenient. From staying connected with loved ones to having access to a wealth of information, the benefits of owning a smartphone are virtually limitless. At the same time, the impact of smartphones on kids is a complex topic with both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, smartphones have provided kids with access to a wealth of information, educational resources, and entertainment options. They have also made it easier for kids to stay in touch with their friends and family members, especially during times of social distancing and lockdowns. However, there are also negative impacts to consider.

On the other hand, Smartphones can be a source of distraction, leading to decreased attention spans, increased sedentary behavior, and even addiction. They can also expose children to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators. I recommend that parents actively monitor their kids' smartphone use and set appropriate boundaries. This could include limiting screen time, setting parental controls, and discussing staying safe online with kids. By balancing the positive and negative impacts of smartphones, we can ensure that our kids can benefit from this technology while also staying safe and healthy.

In a modern fast-paced world, staying connected and informed is a necessity. That is why with the rise of technology, smartphones have become an essential part of our lives. Some of the positive aspects which can be tagged with Smartphones are:

 1:  Source of Communication:

Smartphones have revolutionized the way we communicate. We can stay in touch with family and friends through voice calls, text messages, and video calls. We can also use social media platforms to connect with people from all over the world. Additionally, smartphones have made it easier to reach out to emergency services when needed.

2.       Element of Convenience:

Smartphones allow us to have all our necessary tools in one device. We can use our smartphones for communication, entertainment, navigation, and more. Smartphones also allow us to multitask and save time by completing multiple tasks at once.

3.       Power of Entertainment:

It gives us endless entertainment options. We can listen to music, watch movies and TV shows, play games, and read books. With the rise of streaming services, we can access all our favorite content on the go.

4.       Vast Platform of Information Access:

Access to a vast amount of information at our fingertips is all because of these phones. We can browse the internet, read news articles, and research any topic we are interested in. With them, we stay informed about world events and have access to information that was once only available through books and other physical resources.

5.       Enhance Productivity:

Resulting in multiple increases in our productivity. We can use productivity apps to create to-do lists, set reminders, and schedule appointments. Smartphones also allow us to work remotely and stay connected with our colleagues and clients.

6.       Assist in our Security:

Smartphones have also made it easier to stay safe and secure. We can use our smartphones to access emergency services and even use features such as location sharing to let our loved ones know where we are. Additional features such as fingerprint recognition and facial recognition help us to keep our devices and personal information secure.

7.       Better Quality of Health:

It contributes to our overall health and well-being. We can use health and fitness apps to track our exercise, monitor our diet, and even manage our mental health. Access to telemedicine services and speaking with healthcare professionals remotely also become possible with them.

8.       Impact of Social Media:

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and smartphones make it easier to stay connected. We can use social media platforms to share our experiences, connect with others, and build communities.

9.       Improved Business Environment:

Smartphones are also used for business purposes. They allow us to work remotely and stay connected with our colleagues and clients. They offer features such as mobile payment options, making it easier to conduct business on the go.

10    Exposure to Advancements in Technology:

Smartphones have come a long way since their inception. Advancements in technology have made smartphones faster, more powerful, and more efficient, features such as voice assistants and augmented reality have made smartphones even more versatile.

11    Tools for Global Reach:

Connecting with people all around the world in no time and at a very minimal cost is another positive feature associated with Smartphones. With the rise of social media platforms and messaging apps, we can communicate with people from different countries around the World.

12    Ease of Affordability:

Smartphones have become more affordable over the years, making them accessible to a wider range of people. Many service providers offer payment plans and contracts that allow us to purchase a smartphone without breaking the bank.

The negative side of Smartphones Usage:

Parents may consider giving their teenagers mobile phones for security purposes. However, excessive smartphone use can disrupt your sleep, which can have a serious impact on your overall mental health. It can impact your memory, affect your ability to think clearly and reduce your cognitive and learning skills. Encouraging self-absorption, there is no doubt that a mobile phone is a handy tool. It eases communication with colleagues, friends, and relatives. But every technology that provides such benefits comes with a set of negative impacts. The impact of mobile phones on youth and society is immense. It is this area that requires attention when you are giving your teen a cell phone.

No doubt that Smartphones today have become both a boon and a curse for youngsters. Smartphones have been a great tool that children of all ages used to study, (especially during the pandemic), in a fun and engaging way, and to express their creativity, while also staying connected with friends and family, for safety and security, et cetera. On the other hand, excessive use of smartphones is bound to hurt your child’s overall health and development.

Let’s see how smartphone affects our lives, especially teenagers.

  Affects ability to Learn:

According to many researchers, the first and far most dangerous impact of Smartphones is that smartphones are detrimental to children’s social and economic development as the Child’s attention is diverted by their use of it. To be more specific, the use of interactive screen time on hand-held devices such as smartphones also impairs children’s development of the skills needed to learn math and science according to the findings of the research.

    Teen tendonitis (TTT)

Excess messaging can lead to Teen Tendonitis (TTT). Besides the common signs of neck pain and posture problems, it also causes pain in the hands and back. According to a five-year cohort study, excessive cell phone usage is known to result in musculoskeletal disorders such as tendonitis and first carpometacarpal arthritis in the forearm and thumb.

    Reason for Stress:

Research has found that excessive use of smartphones may result in an increased risk of mental health problems. Having a cell phone will tempt your teen to spend all day talking or texting instead of doing productive things. Studies have proven that teens who spend too much of their time with their cell phones are more prone to stress, anxiety, and depression.

     Leads to Sleep loss:

Most teens keep their cell phones nearby while sleeping to respond to texts and calls and remain reachable around the clock. This may lead to sleep disturbances and interruptions causing increased tiredness. Moreover, the blue light emitted by phone screens is believed to lower the levels of melatonin, thus interrupting the sleep cycle.

      Reason for Accidents:

Teens tend to attend calls and text while driving, which is proven to be dangerous. According to a survey, teens are more likely to be distracted than drivers of any other age. So, using a cell phone while driving should be a strict no.

       Risk of Tumors:

While we do not want to scare you with this information, the truth is that various studies show that there has been a risk of tumors for those who use smartphones excessively, though there is limited evidence to prove that, Researchers are certain that there is a possible increased risk involved when smartphones are used excessively.

       Source of Cyberbullying:

Cyberbullying is on the increase with more and more usage of Smartphones by teenagers. According to several studies and surveys, cyberbullying makes teenagers sad and unwilling to attend school. This study has also found that children who are cyberbullied have a higher risk of psychosomatic problems, such as frequent headaches, problems falling asleep, a higher rate of anxiety, and depression. Cyberbullying is much more difficult to identify than physical bullying as it tends to be more invisible. Also, the perpetrators can hide behind anonymity.

        Leads to Fake & Fantasy Life:

The latest developments in cell phones have made it easy for teenagers to access any information. Most of the things projected on social media and the Internet may not be accurate, but naive teenagers (at their age) might take them seriously and get influenced. This might lead them to live in a fantasy world and develop false prestige. Some may also resort to crimes to fulfill their fantasies.

         Eyesight Issues:

Excessive usage of cell phones is said to cause vision problems in teenagers. The symptoms of eye strain may include stress, redness, burning sensation, blurred vision, and dry eyes.

          Obesity:

Last but not least constant usage of cell phones may also cause obesity in teenagers, teens who spend more than 5 hours a day on cell phones are more likely to become obese, as they are more likely to get less sleep or exercise, resulting in obesity.

Balanced Approach of Smartphone Usage for Teenagers:

A balanced approach for youngsters using smartphones would involve setting limits on their usage, monitoring their activity, and encouraging them to engage in other activities as well. For example, parents could set a time limit on how long their child can use their smartphone per day, and encourage them to spend the remaining time engaging in physical activity, reading, or socializing with friends. Additionally, parents could monitor their child's smartphone activity to ensure they are not accessing inappropriate content or engaging in cyberbullying. Finally, parents could also encourage their children to use their smartphones for educational purposes, such as using educational apps or accessing online educational resources. Cell phones are not going anywhere, at least not anytime soon. So, you need to teach your teens about mobile phone safety and how to use it responsibly. They also need to have agreed boundaries for mobile phone usage. Here are some ways to avoid the adverse effects of cell phones on your children:

1:  Negotiate with them on what should be the acceptable amount of time and money spent on cell phones.

2)      Tell them to curb their impulse of replying to texts instantly.

3)      Ask them to turn off their cell phone while driving.

4)      Ask them to turn off their cellphone before going off to sleep to maintain a regular sleep schedule.

5)      Teach your teen that short to moderate conversations on cell phones might help in decreasing the ill effects to some extent. Encourage them to limit conversations to not more than 20 minutes a day.

6)      Encourage installation of apps, which track daily phone use. This enables the user to keep track of actual phone usage per day.

7)      Opt for a monthly plan that gives a structure for how many call minutes and text messages are available. If you are paying the bill, you can also have access to the mobile phone records, which will help you track how often your teen calls and sends messages and to which numbers.

8)      Ensure you set a good example by limiting your cell phone usage, as children tend to imitate or learn things more from parents.

9)      Establish a rule that the usage of cell phones is restricted to at least one hour before sleep.

10   Also, make sure your teenager keeps their cell phone away during meals or family gatherings.

11   Ensure your children spend some time daily in physical activities such as running, playing, or walking.

12   Encourage them to leave their cell phone behind while doing such activities.

 

HAPPY READING THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR SMARTPHONE J

 

By: Ovais Asad Khan