Cell Phones and Effects on Youth and Society

The mobile phones have created a revolution in the communications in today’s world. While every youth is Bombarded with the ill effects on the health of the user of the mobile phones, does this information, in any way, impact the usage of the phone by the youth? How does mobile affect the relationship of the user and her/ his close relationships?The whole world is accepting and adopting the ways towards the advancement of technology. The youth is playing a vital role in this rapid pace.

The strong and mighty cultures are toppling the frail ones.Cell phones affect our built environment, most notably in the form of widespread advertising, not just in industrialized cities, but also in the third world. Unlike the Internet, which has sparked fears of a “digital divide” between the industrialized and developing worlds, cell phones have become popular all over the world. The cell phone is portrayed as glamorous, but also inexpensive. Many users decorate and personalize their phones, giving rise to folk art cottage industries. The cell phone has become a kind of art in itself, in which a user's choice of phone and decoration acts as a kind of personal statement.

Cell phones seem to prioritize communication with distant people over those sharing one’s space, and the ethics of this new behaviour are not universally agreed upon.The ubiquity of the cell phone has caused changes in certain cultural norms, as well. Businesses, movie theatres, parks and restaurants are just some of the spaces in which the appropriateness of cell phone conversations is disputed and unclear.Unfortunately the countries like Pakistan, India and Bangladesh have strong cultural values, norms and customs that are easily fettered by the western cultural onslaught.

Our youth is concentrating on some bad choices.In this global village, firstly our youth was allured to divert their attention towards the internet. They have changed a lot by the usage of internet. A few of them have inclined for knowledge, information, awareness and exposure but the majority of them appear to have misused the internet. The telecommunication companies in our country have been inclined towards introducing new and attractive packages for youth like Mobilink (ladies first, happy hours), Warid (zem series), Ufone (public demand, prepay life panch ka pandra, u circle) Telenor (talkshawk Aone, djuice) and Zong’s life packageThe question arises why these companies are introducing these packages without the social mobilization to check the mindset of the youth. Are they trying to facilitate the common man or only youth? We think except on very urgent occasions ordinarily no one would like to talk after midnight.

All necessary and normal interactions can be dealt with during daytime but the companies offer the packages that start after end of family or business communication. My feeling is that these packages are more likely to spoil and ravage our youth than to do anything else.In our youth segment the majority is student community that is spell bounded by these packages. They are losing the essence of their profession/studies. They are derailing and deviating themselves.

They are getting away from their goals, destinies and motives. Their minds are becoming stagnant and static. Creativity and innovation is blocked by the consistent telephonic conversations spread over the whole of night.Cell phones are the way to stay connected with family and friends, access the Internet and in some instances, get into trouble. The impact of cell phones on today's youth is astronomical.

All the cool kids have a phone and know how to text faster than most can type on a full-size keyboard. However, cell phones have become a problem, and there is no end in sight.History of mobile phone: Mobile communication is the fastest growing field in the telecommunications industry. It's hard to believe that fifteen years ago cell phones were a rarity. Technology has been growing at a rapid rate to accommodate the needs and desires of people in obtaining a simpler lifestyle.

One of the greatest technologies to hit the 21st century is the cell phone. It has become a phenomenon and an addiction, to own a cell phone, that adolescents find it to be a necessity in one’s life. This type of youth mentality of can lead to positive as well as negative effects on their culture. When mobile phones hit the high street over 10 years ago, not only did it give us the ability to communicate with friends, family and colleagues anytime and anywhere, but along the way it has also changed our social behavior and has made a huge cultural impact.

Nowadays phones are not just simple devices we use to call someone – with the rapidly moving pace of technology feeding the hunger of consumer desires for latest gadgets; phones can now be used as cameras, games consoles and mp3 players.The general consensus is that mobile phones are a wonderful invention that allows you to communicate with people anywhere in the world. On the other hand, it can be seen as a cause for the decline in social behaviour and the stunt in human development. The beginning history of cell phones is based upon radio technology that was developed from the 1940's onward. For instance the beginning of cell phones can be traced to the innovation in taxi cabs, police cars and other service vehicles where two way radios were used to communicate with one another or with a central base. The first official mobile phone was used in Sweden by the Swedish police in 1946.

The technology was connected to the telephone network and was distinctive of two way radio technology. The phone was not very practical; it was only able to make 6 phone calls before the car's battery was drained.In 1983, Motorola unveiled to the world, the first truly portable cellular phone. It was called the Motorola Dyna TAC 8000X. It was approved for use in the United States by the FCC.

Motorola developed the technology for cellular phones for decades and this particular phone took 15 years to come to market at an expense of over 100 million dollars in research costs and was like a brick. Cellular phones from the early 1990's were able to work on mobile phone systems such as GSM, IS-136 (TDMA) and IS-95 (CDMA).Digital mobile phone networks were in use in the United States in 1990 and in Europe by 1991. Most 2G cellular phones were usually in the range of 100 to 200 grams, plus they were hand held devices that were truly portable without the need for a large battery. .

The cellular business was a $3 million market 25 years ago and has grown increasingly to close to a $30 billion per year industry in U.S. The main use of cell phones was for business communication. It was convenient for businesses to use cell phones because it allowed employees to leave the office and still be able to conduct things from remote places with ease.

It connected employees who generally worked outside the office to their superiors in the office. This ability to communicate with ease leads to quicker decisions and a better quality business.Once more, businesses realized the usefulness of the cell phones and they too began using them, the prices started going down Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited (Mobilink), a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom, started its operations in 1994, and has become the market leader both in terms of growth as well as having the largest customer subscriber base in Pakistan. Ufone started its operations in 2001.which is the only Pakistan’s owned company. Telenor, a Norway based company started its service in Pakistan in 2005.

Whereas, Warid was also launched in 2005.Impacts of mobile phone: Biological impacts: Regular use of mobile telephones increases the risk of developing tumours, a new scientific study by Israeli researchers and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. An extract of the report seen by Israel's Yedoit Aharonot newspaper put the risk of developing a parotid gland tumour nearly 50 percent higher for frequent mobile phone users -- more than 22 hours a month. The risk was still higher if users clamped the phone to the same ear, did not use hands-free devices or were in rural areas.

During use, mobile phones are usually kept closer to the ear which is very near to the brain giving rise to fears that continuous use of mobile phone for longer duration may damage some brain tissues. Brain tumours and low sperm counts: While some research investigating the effects of electromagnetic radiation from cell phones in close proximity to the body have found statistical associations, other studies have found no increased risk. Lack of sleep: One study found that some teen cell phone users are likely to be woken at night by incoming text messages or calls, and are therefore more likely to be tired and less able to focus throughout the day. Cultural and social:Cell phones are enabling people to create their own micro-cultures; they are changing cultural norms and values, and demonstrating consumers' ability to modify and repurpose technology for their own use. It is believed that cell phones, by allowing people to insulate their private interactions from the culture around them, will encourage a kind of “walled garden” of micro-cultures that is complex, but exclusive.Unfortunately the countries like Pakistan, India and Bangladesh have strong cultural values, norms and customs that are easily fettered by the western cultural onslaught.

Our youth is concentrating on some bad choices.In our youth segment, majority is student community that is spell bounded by late night calling packages. They are losing the essence of their profession/studies. They are derailing and deviating themselves.

They are getting away from their goals, destinies and motives. Their minds are becoming stagnant and static. Creativity and innovation are blocked by the consistent telephonic conversations spread over the whole of night.They are losing their interest towards the interactions and sociality. Alienation is increasing within small community or groups of people.

In one room four roommates are strangers to one another. They never try to tie up the relation because they don’t have a pinch of time.By talking whole night with opposite sex, they are getting psychologically weak and pressured. There are many other physical distortions also arising due to spending the precious time which is needed compulsory rest, relaxation, relief and mental health.

Due to spending whole nights the absenteeism is skyrocketing in every profession. They are going far and far away from the hold of families. They tell lies and have false communication with their parents.They are betraying the decisions, trust and expectations of their parents. They are travelling towards the lone parent family system in which one is not accountable to anyone and he is the only decision maker. Such kind of behaviour is leading towards the social fragmentation and terrible decline of moral values in which respect is a core one.

They are crossing the restraints and limitations, very essential for the well integrated society. Due to the bogus projection of the companies their effectiveness and determination is diminishing. If we put a furtive glimpse on the chart of protests and rallies conducted against the negative policies, the ratio of youth’ contribution is at minor level and seems vanished because they have engrossed in making affairs and spending their potential and energy to locate the suitable packages.Their mental approach is revolving around sexual satisfaction. Other emotions and sentiments are pushed oblivion, they are forgetting that there are so many matters that need their kind attention.They have obsessed devoid of manners and healthy attitude to other requisites and needs.

It is obliterating the mental capacity and concentration of the youth like plague. Positive impacts: Cell phones are an integral part of today's high paced world that revolves around communication and mobility. Cell phones are of a great convenience by saving time and efforts. It is just amazing to see how cell phones are convenient in some particular situations. Without a cell phone, it will take a while for a person who gets lost on his way to visit a friend to find is way. He will probably drive around until he fined a public phone to get in touch with his friend and have the direction.

With a cell phone, as soon as he realizes that he is getting lost, he can call his friend’s house and get the right direction while driving. Being in touch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week can be crucial for business and family. A cell phone can save time and money, keeping you in touch where ever you go. The impact of mobile phones on our lifestyles and our health is predominantly negative.