Essay 3

Jesus Encarnacion

Dr. Kerr

EN101-12

11 April 2013

Effects of Cell Phone Use

            Cell phones were initially created for people communicate with each other. Thought the years cell phones have been changing and developing because of new technology. Cell phones provides us with many entertaining and relaxing functions such as games, music, and Internet, which lets users check E- mails, surf the web and even use it as a GPS. However people are becoming addicted to cell phones, teens in particular. Possibly because of the great benefits that cell phones have, we are not seeing the negative effects that cell phones are bringing us. Cell phone use can cause effects on our health and it is a problem when people use it while driving and becomes addicting.

            The use of cell phones for a long time can cause negative effects. Now a days cell phones have everything one needs to be entertained. It has music, Internet, which can be use in several ways like surf the web, E-mail, movie streaming and other functions. It also has a wide variety of games. A cell phone lets us communicate with each other and people make calls and use it everyday. As a result of using a cell phone for a long period of time, it can affect ones health. Studies have shown that if a cell phone is used for more than 50 minutes can cause brain tissues to metabolize more glucose than on the other side of the head where the phone is not used. (“National Center Institute). Cell phones have Radiofrequency energy which can cause cancer if its use too much (Dellorto). The wave of cell phones can be like microwave oven can be an example of Radiofrequency (“National Center Institute). Dr. Keith Black said, chairman of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said, "What microwave radiation does in most simplistic terms is similar to what happens to food in microwaves, essentially cooking the brain”(quoted Dellorto). Another way a cell phone can impact our health in thru music and/or movie streaming using a headphone. By listening to load music for a long period of time can cause hearing loss, and it’s also the most common cause of hearing loss, like Dr. Matthew David said (“Carolyn”). Matthew Davis, director of the C.S describes the most common causes of hearing loss; “The most common causes of hearing loss are listening to loud sounds for prolonged periods, especially close to the ear drums," (quoted Carolin).

            Because cell phones are used everywhere, texting while driving has become a major problem, and the result are fatal accidents ("Driving while Intexicated").  People use it for their business or personal reasons. 82 percent of Americans ages 16 thru 17 own a cell phone ("Driving while Intexicated"), “ Teens who texted while driving spend approximately 10% of their driving time outside of their lane”, raising the chances of accidents. ("Driving while Intexicated”) Using a cellular device while driving can be dangerous, but texting while driving can be more fatal for one and someone else on the roads.  Texting while driving distracts anyone from the road, because one is looking and writing at the text and not paying attention to road ahead. It takes a lot concentration off the road. A study was done in Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and claimed that people who texted while driving were 23 times more likely to be in a serious accident than those who made calls while driving, which increased the risk of accidents by six times (Jennyfer).

            Like many other digital devices phones are becoming addictive. According to a study made by the University of Michigan, people are most likely to check their phone when someone around them does the same (Emily).  Francisca Lopez Torrecillas says that mobile addiction "can become totally upset when deprived from their mobile phones for some time, regardless of the reason”. Teens have a greater chance of getting addicted to their phone because they carry it with them all the time, and when they become adults it may still be unsolved ("Mobile Addiction - Cell Phone Addict"). Studies have shown that young adults use their cell phones for a variety of reasons like social networks and spend at least three hours a day using social networks such as Facebook, and Twitter on their cell phone (Richard).  Cell phones are becoming addicting and it can possibly be one of the biggest non-drug addiction of the 21^st century ("Mobile Addiction - Cell Phone Addict").

            Overall, cell phones are very important to some people. The use of cell phones can be helpful and entertaining to people, but also very dangerous when they are used too much. The radiation of a cell phone can cause negative effects on health over time. They are used by many of us daily at anything and anywhere, as well as texting. By texting one is chatting with someone, but if its use in wrong places or while driving, it takes ones concentration of the roads and can end up in fatal accidents. Cell phones should be used property and when its necessary, or else it can result in addiction, fatal accidents or radiation, which can turn into cancer overtime. Whether someone needs to use a cell phone to make a call, text, and/or check their e-mail, one needs to be careful and use it properly. 

Work Cited

Dellorto, Danielle. "WHO: Cell phone use can increase possible cancer risk." CNN       Health. N.p., 31 May 2011. Web. 10 Apr 2013.             <http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/05/31/who.cell.phones/index.html>.

"National Center Institute." Cell Phones and Cancer Risk. N.p., 18 Jun 2012. Web. 10            Apr 2013.             <http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones>.

Carolin, Liza. "U-M poll: Parents concerned about effects of headphones, other          devices on kids' hearing." U-M poll: Parents concerned about effects of        headphones, other devices on kids. N.p., 24 Dec 2012. Web. 11 Apr 2013. <   http://www.annarbor.com/news/personal-listening-devices-and-loud>-   volumes-lead-to-more-demand-for-kids-hearing-screenings/>.

Jennyfer, Reynold. "The Cause & Effects of Texting While Driving." The Cause &        Effects of Texting While Driving. N.p., 17 Apr 2012. Web. 10 Apr 2013.       <http://www.ehow.com/info_8479536_cause-effects-texting-driving.html>.

"Driving while Intexicated." Texting and Driving Statistics. N.p.. Web. 10 Apr 2013.   <http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/>.

Emily, Prince. " Cellphone Addiction May Be Contagious, Study Finds ." Cell Phone Addiction. N.p., 3 Dec 2012. Web. 11 Apr 2013. <http://mashable.com/2012/12/03/cell-phone-addiction-contagious/>.

Richard, Shambare. "Are Mobile Phones the 21st Century Addiction? ." . N.p., 16 Sep 2011. Web. 11 Apr 2013. <http://www.academicjournals.org/ajbm/pdf/pdf2012/18Jan/Shambare et al.pdf>.

"Mobile Addiction - Cell Phone Addict." Mobile Addiction. N.p.. Web. 11 Apr 2013. <http://behaviorhealth.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Cell-Phone-Addict>.