The modern world is awash with technological advancements that have made life easy by improving efficiency. One of the most useful pieces of technology today is the cell phone. Cell phones are people’s new relationship because they constitute a core part of their lives (Noel, 2012). They are used to communicate, access the internet, listen to music, play games, and watch videos (Noel, 2012). Research has revealed that many people cannot live without cell phones, which they use to create, develop, and maintain relationships. Cell phones have eradicated the traditional concept of face-to-face interaction in a relationship.
People’s dependence on cell phones is evident from the ease of addiction and their use in almost all daily activities. Scientists have likened phone addiction to a behavioral addiction that is hard to overcome (Noel, 2012). According to researcher James Roberts, “At first glance, one might have the tendency to dismiss such aberrant cell phone use as merely youthful nonsense…a passing fad, but an emerging body of literature has given increasing credence to cell phone addiction and similar behavioral addictions” (Chan, 2012).
Cell phones have become central to people’s lives hence dependence on certain communication and information technology features.
With features such as instant messaging, internet, cameras, games, mp3, and video compatibility, cell phones have become inevitable in life (Chan, 2012). For example, access to social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter has made development and maintenance of a relationship easy. Cell phones have eradicated the need for physical interaction (Chan, 2012). Nomophobia (a term developed to connote fear of losing access to cell phones) is common among many people who are afraid of losing contact with friends and acquaintances via mobile phone (Noel, 2012). A study on nomophobia revealed that many people claimed that losing their mobile phones would make them panic because they would lose contact with friends. In addition, the study revealed that 84 percent of cell phone users could not spend a day without their phones. People have become dependent on cell phones and cannot live without them.
People use cell phones to check emails, take photographs, create reminders, check locations using features such as Google maps, and play games (Chan, 2012). Cell phones are people’s new relationship because people use them to execute many of their daily activities. In addition, people use them as status symbols. According to Dr. James Roberts of Baylor’s School of Business, “Mobile phones are a part of our consumer culture. They are not just a consumer tool but are used as a status symbol. They are also eroding our personal relationships” (Chan, 2012).
Cell phones have both a positive and negative influence on relationships. In many cases, they have been shown to influence relationships negatively. They have encouraged multitasking and solitude because people spend a lot of time interacting with information and communication technology features on their cell phones.
A research study conducted to study people’s dependence on cell phones found out that young people between the ages of 18 and 29 send an average of 3, 200 messages a month. In addition, they check their cell phones approximately 60 times a day, spend seven hours daily using their cell phones for other purposes, and receive an average of 113 texts daily (Chan, 2012). Overdependence on mobile phones emanates from technological advancements that incorporate different features that make them attractive. In addition, they are portable, cheap, and convenient compared to other pieces of technology. Their portability makes them available to people at all times. People cannot live without cell phones because of the great role they play in their lives.
References
Chan, A. (2012). Cell phone Addiction Driven by Impulsivity, Materialism. Web.
Noel, H. (2012). Cell Phone Dependence just as Real as Substance Addiction. Web.