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Are Cell Phones Dangerous?

Joseph Nathe

University of Iowa

Introduction

            If one day you were told that your cell phone would damage you mentally and potentially lead to your death, would you believe it? Everyday, billions of people throughout the world use a cell phone in some form, rather that be through talking with a friend, on an important business meeting with a company thousands of miles away, or even just playing some games during yet another unnecessary commercial break. We can all become so connected with these devices, that we don’t even take the time to consider what effects these devices can cause. Due to the cell phone continuing to evolve and become even more popular, the question that we all need to consider is, are cell phones dangerous? According to the latest research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008 alone, there were 5,870 fatalities and an estimated 515,000 people were injured in police-reported crashes in which at least one form of driver distraction was reported (Madden and Lenhart, 2009). Some of the most prominent factors when looking into the dangers of cell phones are driving, health, and academics. However, research would show that there are many additional factors when it comes to this topic as well. Researchers have discovered that lack of intelligence, headaches, and distractions are key aspects when studying the danger of cell phones.

Cell Phones Affecting Driving

            When thinking about the topic, if cell phones are dangerous, the most common point mentioned would be texting and driving, or just being on the phone in general when operating a vehicle. Over time, cell phones have become increasingly important fixtures in Americans’ lives and public concern over their use while driving has grown (Madden and Lenhart, 2009).

            Many researchers (Madden and Lenhart; Caird, Johnston, et al; Lee, Champagne, Francescutti) all analyze teenagers, since they are the most tech-savvy, and show how the dangers of cell phones through texting and driving is such an issue and how lethal it can become. When using you’re phone while driving, you’re 4-6 times more likely to get in a crash due to cell phone conversations have negative effects on reaction time, lane keeping, car-following ability, and speed control while driving. (Lee, Champagne, Francescutti, 2013). These are all essential abilities to use while driving. Using you’re phone on the road turns yourself into a liability that can effect many more people in horrible ways. Additionally, you’re 23 times more likely to get in an accident when you’re sending text messages compared to no distractions at all. (Lee, Champagne, Francescutti, 2013). This information shows that there are major issues with people using cell phones while driving and people will still continue to text and drive as 73% of texting teens ages 16-17 have been in a car when the driver was texting (Madden and Lenhart, 2009). The general consensus here shows that drivers who look away from the road for long periods of time have a lessened ability to control their vehicles sufficiently(Hosking et al., 2009; Owens et al., 2011).

            While (Madden and Lenhart; Caird, Johnston, et al) study only the harm that cell phones cause while driving, (Lee, Champagne, Francescutti) studies this as well as briefly going over suggestions to use your phone and still be a safe driver. Setting up a caller ID that tells whoever is calling that you’re driving, turning off your phone when getting in the car, pulling over if an important call needs to be made, and not calling you’re friends or family if you know that they may be driving (Lee, Champagne, Francescutti., 2013). All of these suggestions are great ways to decrease the dangers that cell phones can cause. By following these few simple guidelines, we are able to make our lives safer, as well as everyone around us. Even though cell phones are a high liability when driving, they can also affect our health.

Cell Phones Affecting Health

            When using cell phones, health is definitely something not many people consider while they are using them. Through researchers such as (Inskip, et al; Acharya, Acharya, Raghery; Divian, et. al) headaches, anger issues, and eye strain are all viewed as minor concerns. However, there can be larger concern as well such as potential brain tumors caused by the radioactivity found in these devices.

Most of these effects are due to over usage of cell phones and have been found in specific groups such as teenagers, the younger generation and college-students (Acharya, Acharya, Raghery, 2013). The younger generation is exposed the cell phone usage extremely early and this can even effect children before they are born. Exposure to this so early in life can be extremely harmful to a young child’s body because these are the main years of their brain development (Divian, et. al., 2008). The most common symptom caused by cell phones has been headaches. The headache is caused by radiation from the phone affecting the skull. Eye strain can also be found common and if you use a screen for too long you may find yourself at the doctor for pain in your eyes(Acharya, Acharya, Raghery, 2013).

While (Acharya, Acharya, Raghery; Divian, et. al.) focus more on common symptoms that can be easily treated, (Inskip, et al) focuses on the bigger issues such as brain tumors. Some concern has arisen about adverse health effects, especially the possibility that the low-power microwave-frequency signal transmitted by the antennas on handsets might cause brain tumors or accelerate the growth of subclinical tumors (Inskip, et al). While looking at various cancer patients, we see that even though cell phones could have helped accelerate the tumor, it was not the initial cause of it. More research is necessary in order to determine further information. While cell phones do cause health concerns, they can also case academic problems.

Cell Phones Affecting Academics

            Technology is an amazing tool that allows us to get any information whatsoever in a matter of seconds. Even though technology is a great source for students to use, it can also be taken advantage of quite quickly. Research done by (Hoekstra, Wilcox, Duncan; Froese, et. al) show how technology hurts us and causes us to learn less due to the many distractions.

            With the advent of affordable digital devices, use of technology by students and instructors is increasing in college classrooms (Hoekstra, 2009). With everyone owning some piece of technology, it’s easy to become distracted with everything that we can get to online. Being in class and analyzing the content that is being presented is similar to driving. If a conversational cognitive load increases accident risk for drivers, the same cognitive workload should increase errors on tests of lesson material presented while students are texting (Froese, et. al). Hoekstra, Wilcox and Duncan demonstrated a study in which the end result showed that the average grade on a test was significantly higher when students didn’t have cell phones rather when they did.

            While (Hoekstra, Wilcox, Duncan; Froese, et. al) show the down side of cell phones in the classroom, (Gikas and Grant) show how cell phones and technology are highly beneficial when it comes to academics. As mobile devices continue to grow as part of the higher education landscape, mobile computing devices present both opportunities and challenges to higher education institutions (Kim, Mims, & Holmes, 2006; Looi et al., 2010). Mobile devices provide learners opportunities to collaborate, discuss content with classmates and instructors, and create new meaning and understanding (Froese, et. al). Even though there is a possibility that cell phones and technology can be used poorly, the upside is much higher and can be used for great things.

Conclusion

            There are many factors that can lead to cell phones being seen as dangerous to us in society. Through various views, cell phones are seen as dangerous through driving, health academics. As well as many additional factors. Cell phones are viewed as harmful and quite enjoyable devices and not seen as something that can cause such harm. While searching for all this information, when looking for how cell phones are dangerous while driving, there is quite a gap when it comes to understanding to what extent specific behaviors and relative lack of driving experience contributes. Additionally, there is a gap when it comes to research on how texting affects specific tasks necessary for safe driving. For future research, I would like to see more work done in the area of being on the phone while driving and finding different ways to utilize technology while driving. This is a big issue in todays society and if taken into consideration, could save a lot of lives. If used correctly, cell phones do not have to be seen as dangerous, rather they can be appreciated for the great piece of technology that they are.

References

Acharya, J.P., Acharya I., Waghrey, D. (2013). A study on some of the common health effects of cell-phones amongst college students. Research Gate 3(4), 1-4. doi: 10.4172/2161-0711.1000214

Caird, J.K., Johnston, K.A., Willness. C.R., Asbridge, M., Steel, Piers. (2008). A meta-analysis of effects of cell phones on driver performance. Science Direct 40(4), 1282-1293. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2008.01.009

Divian, H.A., Kheifets, L., Obel, C., Olsen, J. (2008). Prenatal and postnatal exposure to cell phone use and behavioral problems in children. Wolters Kluwer Health 19(4), 523-529. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/25662578?casa_token=UIuycSJlfPgAAAAA:pTPJzdMrNanG7AVDHJvBSi_EnBhg1d58s5FtZYtn0X7uZD-REmSpHMfcl9PRFaUfuOmdsWrKZOt2II4eI6eFgLrTlZ8IIsYPtIIAN6GYvqf8kf9A4o6y&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents

Duncan, D.K., Hoekstra, A.R., Wilcox, B.R. (2012). Digital devices, distraction, and student performance: does in-class cell phone use reduce learning? Astronomy Education Review 11, 010108-1. doi: 10.3847/AER2012011

Froese, A.D., Carpenter, C.N., Inman, D.A., Schooley, J.R., Barnes, R.B., Brecht, P.W., Chacon, J.D. Effects of classroom cell phone use on expected and actual learning, 323-332. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/747c/5e20646a00b2b48f6303658788bd8a0e714f.pdf

Gikas, J., Grant, M.M., (2013). Mobile computing devices in higher education: student perspectives on learning with cellphones, smartphones & social media. Interned and Higher Education 19, 18-26. Retrieved from https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/38919269/gikas_grant_mobile_devices.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3A&Expires=1539568050&Signature=E4RkUwI%2Fp0ExaJf%2FWgR0632Zs7k%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DMobile_Computing_Devices_in_Higher_Educa.pdf 

Inskip, P.D., Tarone, R.E., Hatch, E.E., Wilcosky, T.C. (2001). Cellular-telephone use and brain tumors, The New England Journal of Medicine 344, 76-86. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200101113440201 

Lee, V.K., Champagne, C.R., Francescutti, L.H. (2013). Fatal distraction. Canadian Family  Physician, 59(7) 723-725. Retrieved from http://www.cfp.ca/content/59/7/723.short  

            Madden, M., Lenhart, A., (2009). Teens and distracted driving, Pew Research Center, retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2009/11/16/teens-and-distracted-driving/