Over many decades the idea of wireless telephones has been enhanced drastically. The first wireless message was sent in 1895 by Marconi, this message was in Morse code. The next innovation to the idea of wireless telephone was in the 1920’s when the Chicago Police force experimented with a cellular telephone system in police cars, but wireless telephone was not actually portable until 1973.
Now in the 21st century, cell phones have at least a 60% penetration rate in households across the United States. Many people are starting to discontinue the use of land lines and are converting to complete cell phone use. This convergence is mainly among young adults. 97% of all U.S. counties have access to at least three cell phone providers. In the United States alone over 1 billion cell phone calls are placed each day, but now cell phone usage is not just to make calls. Modern day cell phones are becoming a convergence of all major electronics. The new 3G technology lets cell phones make phone calls, text, send picture mail, play music, navigation, access the internet, and even watch television. Some people feel that this convergence is a great idea for the future because it makes life easier, but at the same time many people do not want to watch television on a 2 inch screen.
Cell phone use is a way to be in constant contact with whomever and whenever. This is a great idea for families. Parents can contact their children at anytime throughout the day. Also, with society becoming more dangerous every day, people like to know they can contact their family members in an emergency. Over 200,000 911 phone calls are made each day by a cell phone. The cell phone is like a sense of security for a lot of people. At the same time, cell phones are starting to consume the lives of many people, and people, especially teenagers are starting to multitask even more than normal. One of the major problems with some of the newest cell phone technologies is text messaging while driving. When someone sends a text message while driving, 90% of control of their car is lost. Only 35% of control is lost when you drive and smoke a joint of marijuana. That is a huge difference and proves just how dangerous texting while driving can actually be. One of the latest problems with cell phones and teenagers is the new idea of “sexting”. During school and throughout the day, many teenagers are sending “dirty” pictures of themselves to their fellow classmates. Some students who were caught sexting were prosecuted in court for sexual harassment. So while a cell phone can be an invention that can help with safety, it can also cause a lot of problems.
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Chen, J. (2008). Cell Phone Saturation. Retrieved November 17, 2008 from www.CBSnews.com: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/28/earlyshow/living/main683377.shtml.
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7 comments:
I almost wish the blog would have continued to elaborate on "sexting" as this has been in the media rather recently, and I'm pretty sure there was a case at a high school in Columbus not long ago? Regardless, I've read a lot about the topic not only with teenagers but also with a lot of adults in the workplace, and the obvious problems it can create. One could note the huge psychological aspect of "sexting," how the informality of texting probably makes it much easier for people who normally wouldn't express these kinds of feelings or release certain inhibitions verbally.
-martin.1580
The statistics about losing 90% of control if you text while driving are unbelieveable! I was shocked to see that so much control was lost. The comparison to smoking marijuana just makes you realize how dangerous texting while driving actually is. I've heard of laws outlawing TWD (texting while driving), but I am not sure if there are indeed laws against this. I believe that with these kind of statistics it should definitely be outlawed.
Legerski.3
I am defiantly a text messaging addict. I text while driving, in class (never in Comm 240), at work, in the movies, wherever I am! However, I did not know that you lose 90% of your control of the car while text messaging. Since I am extremely against drunk driving, I should also be against texting while driving. It is a huge problem since our cell phones become a part of who we are, we can not live without them, and without constant communication with our peers. However, I hope that everyone will make a conscience effort to not text message while driving.
schall.14@osu.edu
I do not have texting on my cell phone but i would not mind getting it. All of my friends and family have it and they still text me when I cant recieve them, and then get angry that i did not text them back. Im not really surprised that 90% of control is lost when driving and texting. You need to have an eye on the road at all times, one eye on your phone now and how can you have both hands on the wheel when both are on the cell phone? Weed is not as bad, at 35%, as texting so does that mean that we should legalize it? lol, just kidding, but seriously
-Chan.323-
I personally am guilty of texting a large amount while I drive, and although I’ve been lucky to have never been in an accident because of it, I often consider myself lucky that I have not. 90% of people losing a great deal of control is an impressive statistic, but not surprising when one thinks about it. The continual conversation that exists between people all the time in their daily lives can allow a text to pop up at any time. Also, as mentioned in this article, there is a growing impact of the context being shown in some of the texts among younger people. This can create even more of a distraction. It is clear that texting needs to be brought to some type of halt before the amount of accidents increases to a disturbing level.
If found a lot of you facts very interesting. I agree that the capabilities of cell phones these days is astonishing. I think that the more a cell phone can do for you the better. They are extremely expensive to begin with, so if i can get e-mail, watch t.v., and surf the web, all the better. However, the facts on driving accidents really didn't surprise me. I see it everyday, someone texting while doing 0 on the freeway. I think its only a matter of time before the government regulates use while driving. What will people do when the start getting tickets for cell phone use?
Winland.44
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