Cell Phones

Sabrina Hneiti
Mr. Kealy
Sophomore Academic English
8 April 2011
Cell Phones: How They Have Changed Us Socially Cell phones have changed the way people socially interact with each other. Nowadays, anyone anywhere can just pick up their cell phone and call each other at any time of the day or night. (Stewart 1). In the past when there were just house phones around, people could use the excuse “Sorry I wasn’t home to answer your call” but now, with the emerging of cell phones, people will get a hold of you somehow. Cell phones are considered to be your own personal property while house phones are considered to be used for the family. Cell phones depend on satellite and signal, which means anyone, can take their cell phones anywhere they choose, while house phones depend on the wires in the house which limits anyone from using it outside of the house. (Stewart 1). For example, someone could be on their house phone and their little brother could be eavesdropping on the conversation. No one would want that, would they? On the other hand, cell phones are more personal and most of them have Wi-Fi which leads them to be connected to the internet. Now people are more socially involved on the web through Facebook, Twitter, Instant Messaging, etc. However, cell phones have both a positive and negative effect on people.
Cell phones are very convenient to the point where it has positive social impact on people where they are able to quickly interact with each other. For example, one can call someone about a business matter and resolve issues from anywhere without having to be in that specific office, house, etc. People can also view their e-mails on their cell phones and stay connected through different websites with one another. News can be submitted as quickly as a click of a button. Cell phones could even be charged through their cars if forgotten to charge at home. Prices have dramatically decreased since cell phones first came out. Now, parents can afford cell phones for their children in order to keep in touch with each other at all times no matter where they are. In the old days, when people got into car accidents, it took a while for the police to arrive at the scene. But now, with the existence of cell phones it doesn’t take long to get help on the road as soon as possible. Children, specifically teenagers, have their cell phones with them at all times especially during school hours. If an emergency were to occur at school and the students had to be put under immediate lockdown, they are easily capable of taking out their cell phones and calling their parents. While under a lockdown, if a student somehow got hurt, another student can easily call for an ambulance or get medical care. (Cohen 1).
However, there were many issues or disadvantages of obtaining a cell phone. A main issue with cell phones is texting and driving. Texting while driving is against the law and is currently banned in 30 states. (Beware the Danger of Texting While Driving 1). If cell phones were never invented, then most people would think that there would be fewer accidents on the road. Adults or teenagers wouldn’t have to be exposed to the distraction of using their cell phones while operating a vehicle. Teenagers are specifically the targets for texting while driving. No one realizes that texting while driving is worse than drinking while driving. It will obviously have to take more teen deaths for people to finally realize that this is highly deadly. (LeBeau 1).
At first, the most common way of bullying was hearing about young children and how they would take each other’s lunch money. But now, it has skyrocketed into something extreme and dangerous. Bullying someone through a text message can cause severe consequences even when you least expect it. Bullying the victim can lead to suicide, depression, anxiety, self-conciseness, violence, social withdrawals, and more. Bullying through a text message can happen all the time and there is no escaping it. It would be frightening to imagine getting a text message from a bully and not being able to find out who it is because nowadays, all you have to do is use a different number. Bullies think they are safe if they use an anonymous number or use a different phone, but what they don’t know is it can be traced back to the sender. (Brock 1). People text bully others because they think there are no immediate consequences rather than if you say it to the person face to face. Bullying in person is outdated that to our new technological ways of interacting with other people. (Teegarden & Hatcher 1).
In conclusion, cell phones in general have advantages and disadvantages on people, depending on the way other people intend to subject it. People should use it for a better that will benefit them in many different ways such as jobs, schools, social events, and emergencies. Cell phone use should not be used in a harmful matter such as texting while driving where one can cause harm to not only themselves, but others as well. Also, cell phones should not be used for bullying through texts, calls or in general for that matter. It would possibly, and most likely, lead to suicide, violence, depression, and many more. Parents should monitor their children’s text messages to make sure they are using it properly. Parents should also advise their children to not text and drive at the same time because it is a law violation as well as a harmful act to themselves and others as well. In my opinion, companies that offer cell phone services should implement a program that can monitor texting to the point where they can just make sure that no one is harming others since few parents are unaware of what their children do on their phones. Work Cited Page
Beware of Texting While Driving. "Beware the Dangers of Texting While Driving." Texting-While Driving. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. <http://texting-while-driving.org/>.

Brock, Kathy. "Text Bullying - Bullying Statistics." Bullying Statistics - Teen Violence, Anger, Bullying, Treatment Options. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. <http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/text-bullying.html>.

Cohen, Maya. "Cell Phones at School: Should They Be Allowed? - FamilyEducation.com." Family Life, Child Development, Nutrition, Teen Health & School Safety - FamilyEducation.com. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. <http://life.familyeducation.com/cellular-telephones/school/51264.html>.

LaBeau, Phil. "News Headlines." CNBC Mobile Home. 25 June 2009. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. <http://www.cnbc.com/id/31545004/Texting_And_Driving_Worse_Than_Drinking_and_Driving>.

Douglas, Stewart. "News Headlines." CNBC Mobile Home. 30 May 2008. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. <http://www.cnbc.com/id/31545004/Texting_And_Driving_Worse_Than_Drinking_and_Driving>.

Teegarden, Sierra, and Sarah Hatcher. "Texting Results In Form of Bullying." 25 Mar. 2005. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.