Smartphone’s are the true face of the 21st century digital era. Since their manifestation in the domain of mass communication three years ago, they have revolutionized the communication sector.
They allow wireless access to internet, sending emails and retrieval of information on the web. Before showing the positive aspects of the Smartphone, it would be prudent to acknowledge that their impact on the society has not been flawless. They bring one segment of the society together but push away another segment. These ambivalent forces are referred to as centripetal and centrifugal correspondingly.
The Smartphone has done much to pull the world towards the core of digital database. Students and researchers find it a tool for browsing information. Its portability and wireless connectivity has made it peerless in internet access amongst researchers in remote fields.
Moreover, it has helped to break the geographical boundaries to connect continents and compress the world into a global village. Its technology has employed speed to defy distance by using instant messaging, live chats, and emails. Its use seems to compel the world towards shared values and information.
Smart phones also have large inbuilt memory for storage of data. The youth has exploited this utility to download music and movies from the world over and store it for their personal entertainment. Concurrently, these movies and music influence perceptions and opinions, shaping new cultures and ways of life. This sets the platform for a common way of life whereby young people may be worlds apart but are connected by their musical preferences entertainment and lifestyles.
Even though Smart phones have done their fair share to unite the world, it has also played a role in separating individuals. They have greatly reduced face-to-face interactions by creating illusions that people are in touch when actually individuals may be disjointed. Absence of non-verbal cues and physical intimacy has reduced their effectiveness as compared to face to face communications .They have also favored the electronically savvy at the expense of those with little penchant for technology hence creating a digital divide.
This has put a wall of partition between the two groups as far as information access is concerned leading to knowledge imbalance in the society. Moreover, the global culture enhanced by the Smart phones may not be in tandem with the individuals local culture thus may create tensions and separations. Those who have smart phones tend to isolate themselves and socialize less with neighbors preferring to chat with friends to the internet.
The utilities of the smart phones have invaded the confines of privacy. Through the applications of GPRS, tracking of individuals can be done easily and their positions located with exactitude. Personal information can also be retrieved from remote locations making individuals and corporate vulnerable to external intrusions. For instance, some smart phones take screenshots for all recent activities including web pages, e-mails, and SMS then they send them to interested parties without the users consent or awareness.
Recently Smartphone manufacturer Apple was sued for letting Smartphone applications send private information to advertising networks without the users express consent. This just shows how the Smartphone has broken down the relation amid solitude and publicity.
Smart phones also have powerful cameras that can take clear photos and videos. These can be used to outwit security officers and take photos in places forbidden for public photography. The information can then be relayed to the public via the internet creating insecurity.