Impact of Smartphones on Modern Society

Smartphones and impact on social space

Impact of Smartphones on Modern Society
          Smartphones are the most frequently used communication devices in modern society. According to O'Dea, more than 260 million Americans use smartphones (1). A smartphone is the cellular telephone with an operating system that allows users to run software programs, commonly known as 'apps.' IBM invented the first smartphone in 1992 (Rather and Shabir-Ahmad 3). Since then, many Smartphone companies have improved on the prototype and included many features such as internet browsers, GPS functions, e-mail functions, high-resolution cameras, calendars, notepads, virtual assistants such as Google Assistant and Siri, music players, temperature and weather information, and access utilities such as calculator, e-readers, and flashlight. Smartphone users can download business, entertainment, education, sports, and health applications. Overall, Smartphones have both positive and negative impacts on modern society.
          Smartphones improve the quality of education by enhancing the delivery of education services and facilitating online learning. According to Singh and Narina, Smartphones improve learning efficiency since students quickly access course resources through online libraries and interact with their tutors and peers at any given time through platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet (84). During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of schools worldwide shifted from physical learning to online classes. Therefore, both students and tutors adopted utilizing Smartphones as tools for online teaching and learning.
          Over the years, Smartphones have transformed business operations. The development of e-commerce applications makes it easier for entrepreneurs to reach their customers. For example, Amazon and E-bay have 'apps' that provide convenient shopping experiences and payment methods to consumers. Additionally, GPS-enabled applications such as Google Maps help consumers find gas stations, restaurants, and other businesses through a simple search. Smartphones enable managers to easily interact with employees through platforms such as E-mails, texts, and WhatsApp. Smartphones also facilitate online banking services that enable clients to manage their finances efficiently.
          Smartphones positively impact health in different ways. Individuals usually receive information on the causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment options for their health conditions from websites through a simple search on internet browsers such as Google. Furthermore, several applications manage patients' prescriptions and track diet, exercise, and blood pressure. Smartphones also enable patients to communicate or make appointments with their doctors easily.
          Smartphones tend to reduce stress and improve the psychosocial well-being of individuals. A study by Economides on the impact of a Mindfulness-based Smartphone application on psychological health revealed that the application reduces irritability and stress and results in positive mental health outcomes (1584). Smartphones provide entertainment through games, social media platforms, online shopping platforms, and sites that provide access to the latest news, sports, and technology updates.
          Reliance on Smartphones has transformed social interactions in modern society. Smartphones make communication efficient through E-mails, calling and Facetiming software, and texting applications. Nowadays, people interact with their friends, relatives, and colleagues through social media sites such as Snap Chat, Instagram, and Facebook. Statistics indicate that Smartphone users spend about 145 minutes on social media every day (Tankovska 1). Social media sites such as Facebook have online groups and communities where individuals communicate with like-minded peers and obtain a sense of belonging.
          Although Smartphones have numerous positive impacts, research shows that Smartphone addiction increases the risk of depression and anxiety (Shoukat 47). Smartphone addiction occurs when an individual develops a tendency to use their phones most of the time, either as a solution to boredom or conducting business. They develop anxiety when they do not have their phone and lose relationships since they spend most of their time using their Smartphones. Eventually, the individual develops depression. Reliance on social networking sites also has a detrimental effect on people's self-esteem and their mental health.
          Frequent Smartphone usage also affects physical health. Smartphones emit a blue light that causes eye pain and strain that impacts vision. Additionally, Smartphone addiction disrupts sleep patterns and increases the risk of weight gain and obesity (Noh 78). Sleep disruption prevents the body from producing leptin and ghrelin hormones that control appetite when an individual is awake. Overall, excessive use of Smartphones leads to a sedentary lifestyle that increases the risk of acquiring lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.
          Excessive use of Smartphones among students often leads to distractions and low grades. Such students prefer to spend their time on social media rather than reading educative materials. Additionally, Smartphone usage exposes them to inappropriate adult content. Overindulgence in social media also increases the risk of cyberbullying. A student may post a picture on Instagram and receive negative comments that affect their mental health and relationships with other people. Furthermore, when students post their private information online, they lose their privacy and increase the risk of being attacked by child predators.
Generally, Smartphones have made our lives easier by impacting businesses, lifestyles, health, education, and other life aspects. When appropriately used, Smartphones yield positive results such as improved access to information and better connectivity to each other and the world. However, Smartphone addiction negatively impacts relationships, physical and mental health, education, and careers. Therefore, people should limit the time spent on their Smartphones to prevent the harmful effects of Smartphone addiction.

Works Cited

          Economides, Marcos, et al. "Improvements in stress, affect, and irritability following brief use of a mindfulness-based smartphone app: a randomized controlled trial." Mindfulness 9.5 (2018): 1584-1593.
          Noh, Junghyun. "The effect of circadian and sleep disruptions on obesity risk." Journal of obesity & metabolic syndrome 27.2 (2018): 78.
          O'Dea, S. Smartphones in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts. 2021, https://www.statista.com/topics/2711/us-smartphone-market/ Accessed 12 Feb. 2021.
          Rather, Mudasir-Khazer, and Shabir-Ahmad Rather. "Impact of smartphones on young generation." Library philosophy and practice (2019): 1-9.
          Shoukat, Sehar. "Cell phone addiction and psychological and physiological health in adolescents." EXCLI journal 18 (2019): 47.
          Singh, Manvin Kaur Kuldip, and Narina A. Samah. "Impact of smartphone: A review on positive and negative effects on students." Asian Social Science 14.11 (2018): 83-89.
          Tankovska,H. Daily social media usage worldwide 2012-2020. 2021. https://www.statista.com/statistics/433871/daily-social-media-usage-worldwide/ Accessed 12 Feb. 2021.