The world got the first cell phone in 1973. Over the past few years, the use of cell phones has accelerated. Reportedly, more than 7.26 billion people own cell phones right now, and the number will increase over time. Undoubtedly, all of us have become too reliant on this technology without focussing on the pros and cons of cell phones.
A cell phone is an electronic device that offers full-duplex 2-way radio telecommunication with the help of a nearby cell site or network base station. Your cell phone or smartphone can assist you differently throughout the day. For example, you can call people, send or receive emails, access the web, scroll social media, and more whenever you want.
The usage of cell phones might sound all glitter and gold unless you concentrate on your current issues. Your eyes might be sore from surfing the internet for 8 or longer hours in a stretch. Additionally, cell phones can turn into a source of addiction and distraction, especially in workspaces and schools.
That’s why you should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of a mobile phone.
Let’s check them out so that you can balance your screen time and health aspects:
What are the Pros of Using a Cell Phone?
A smartphone is part and parcel of our daily life, and we can’t deny it. Whether you are at home, school, or the office, a cell phone is your all-time companion.
This is because a cell phone can meet up your communication, academic, business, and other purposes in no time. And, cell phones can impact your life in both positive and negative ways.
That’s why we are here with the pros and cons of cell phones essay. Let’s start with the benefits of using a mobile phone first, shall we?
Uninterrupted Communication
Go back to decades ago and imagine how you struggled to call someone. It was a big No if you couldn’t find a phone booth. With a cell phone in your hand now, you can easily dial anyone’s communication number. And, they will respond to your call without any delay.
As the best priority, cell phones have given us seamless communication. You can communicate with your business contacts for better opportunities or simply reconnect with your friends. On the other hand, cell phones offer video calls, texts, voicemails, and more options for communication rather than just voice calls.
In addition, children and parents can stay in constant touch even though they are in the classroom or workspace. Kids can share their locations using their mobile phones, and parents can track them during emergencies.
Internet Access
What are the pros of cell phones? Cell phones have turned your internet experience into more compact handling. You need not carry your laptops any longer to get a reliable internet connection. Your smartphone can now act as a data hub with enabled mobile data, and you can browse countless sites, platforms, and apps on the internet.
Well, internet connection is present in both the pros and cons of cell phones. We will talk about the cons later. With an active internet connection all the time, you can shop, order meals, get directions, and do lots of other things on your cell phone.
On the other hand, all websites are compatible with cell phone views and usage. So you can take your cell phone and connect to any website anytime anywhere. A cell phone is a great source of entertainment, as well.
Scroll social media pages, binge-watch movies on Netflix or play interesting games on your way somewhere. Escape from boredom with your cell phone.
Extra Safety
Have you gone lost, or is it your car that has broken down? Whatever the emergency situation is, the fact is that a cell phone can help you overcome it immediately. For example, you can use your smartphone’s torch to light up a dark path.
On the other hand, you can get back onto your track with GPS navigation and map facilities on your cell phone.
Can you imagine any other technology that can help you so promptly in such a condition? We don’t think so, and you can even find a helping hand near you to repair your car or whatever your requirements are.
Apart from this, you can easily reach your family and friends if you are in any danger. Dial an emergency number, contact your physician, or take similar preventive measures with a cell phone.
Education Purposes
What are the pros and cons of cell phones for students? Several educational institutes now allow students to bring their cell phones to the premises. They even offer study material in the form of pictures, text documents, PDFs, and more. A cell phone is the only portable and affordable device for most students.
Additionally, students can conduct a quick research on the ongoing topic. Few students who are shy and introverted and can’t ask their teachers about a query can easily get a follow-up on their smartphones.
An instant Google search, YouTube video on the corresponding topic, community answers, and more can be accessed by students if they have a smartphone. So far, we have also witnessed how cell phones helped students academically during those pandemic days.
Easy Access to Photography & Videography
Not a single cell phone nowadays misses the camera counterpart. People can easily capture a memorable moment with your cell phone’s built-in camera. So, you can ditch your bulky cameras and attend any event with just your smartphone.
In addition, you can record videos with both the front and rear camera modules on your cell phone. Most high-end smartphones offer high-quality professional camera modules for high-resolution pictures and videos.
You can Earn with Your Cell Phone
We are not joking, and you know that. As for the pros and cons of using a cell phone, you can make real money. For instance, you can promote your business and connect to more audiences through your social media and other internet facilities.
Besides generating revenue for your business, cell phones offer sidekicks to your financial situation. For example, you can join YouTube and create vlogs to entertain people.
Turn yourself into a social media influencer, food blogger, or any trending activist to receive some extra income. All you need is your smartphone and creative ideas along with you.
Online Banking & Other Essential Amenities
Accessing your bank accounts, checking your balance, or transferring funds to another account can be done with some clicks. The credit goes to the pros of using a mobile phone. Pay electricity bills, purchase clothes, appliances, or anything else with your cell phone.
Meanwhile, you can set reminders and alarms for upcoming events using your cell phone. For example, you can remind yourself of meetings, doctor appointments, medicine timings, etc. In addition, you can calculate taxes, bills, invoices, and more with the in-built calculator on your mobile phone.
On the other hand, you need not carry an address book. You can easily save your known ones’ phone numbers on your device’s contacts. Simply, navigate to a contact and call or text the intended person.
What are the Disadvantages of Using a Mobile Phone?
By now, we have checked out mostly the advantages of owning a cell phone. However, as a responsible user, you should be aware of the harmful impacts that a cell phone can bring to you.
Here are some cons of cell phones highlighted here:
Addiction
Do you find yourself or others clingy to respective mobile phones? Yes, cell phones can force you to spend more hours with them. You might have met people with Nomophobia or ‘no mobile phobia’. They get anxious if they can’t find their cell phones or can’t use their smartphones.
Apart from delivering anxiety, cell phones can be a huge waste of time. Cell phones can make teenagers and students more addicted. They might end up wasting their time watching movies, playing games, chatting on social media, listening to music, and more.
Distraction
As one of the pros and cons of cell phones at work, you can’t discard distractions. Smartphones and additional services might help you with your work. For example, you can immediately reply to your work email on your cell phone. However, you might end up opening a social media site, a gaming app, or any other software.
Not to mention, this will distract you from your working goals. In addition, you might have noticed that cyberbullying is a trend that can be easily caught up due to mobile phone accessibility. Cyberbullying can be any post or content that spreads false, negative, or harmful things about someone.
Nowadays, teenagers and students can easily fall prey to cyberbullying. Moreover, cyberbullying is also present in workspaces. This might lead somebody to depression, and dangerous consequences can take place. Undoubtedly, security issues are invoked by the misuse of cell phones.
Health Concerns
Cell phones emit radio-frequency energy, and this is non-ionising in nature. And, this can be harmful to human beings if they stay in touch with mobile phones for longer.
However, there is not enough proof except for tissue heating due to low-level radiation from mobile phones. Numerous people have faced ear problems, sleeping disorders, eye issues, and more.
You can take care of your health even while using cell phones if you follow the steps below:
- Keeping your cell phone away while sleeping
- Calling less in low-network regions
- Avoiding cell phones while riding a vehicle
- Not using earphones or Bluetooth while attending long calls
- Turning on Airplane mode while handing over the phone to kids for gaming
- Not putting your phone inside your pocket
- Maintaining a reasonable screen time
Limited Socialisation
People are more likely to chat rather than turn up for a face-to-face meeting currently. The advent of cell phones has made us comfortable with small talk over them. It can create distance from your friends, family, and relatives if you are not careful about communication.
Yes, communication is one of the pros and cons of cell phones. But, if you are not careful about it, then you might cut loose threads of your social life. It won’t be exaggerating to mention that people are seen stuck to their mobile screens while attending a family get-together or so.
Security Problems
It’s relatively easier for hackers to sneak into your smartphone and steal your important details from it. They can be your pictures, personal information, banking details, and more that can be vulnerable. Overall, it can make you lose face and money.
iOS systems are comparatively more secure compared to Android devices. The only way to avoid such threats is to update your software regularly.
What are Other Dangers Related to Cell Phones?
People are found listening to songs using earphones even while crossing the road or taking selfies under vulnerable conditions. Such instances can invite accidents or even life loss.
So, you should take the pros and cons of cell phones into account to map a proper use of them. Keep your mobile time limited so that you don’t receive bad impacts mostly.
