Issues Associated with the Adoption of Mobile Phones

Introduction

People in different parts of the world have reacted differently to the introduction of mobile phones in the year 1918. The communication device has affected the world in various ways, both positively and negatively. Mobile phone technology has affected the globe socially, economically, culturally and also technologically. Many things have changed with the introduction of this invention. There are various articles dated back to before the 1990s which document people’s reactions to mobile phones at that time. They are retrieved from magazines and newspapers such as “The New York Times” among others.

Issues Relating to Mobile Phones

The introduction of mobile phones has helped criminals to enhance their illegal activities in a number of ways. They can communicate with one another freely and plan their next moves in the comfort of their hiding places. This makes it hard for officials to track them down or even follow on their actions, schedules, and plans. In a 1987 article published in the New York Times, it is argued that many individuals who engage in illegal businesses have greatly benefited from the introduction of mobile phones. The author of the article further reported that an increasing number of drug dealers were using mobile phones to communicate with their clients because it is harder to be tracked down. Judging from this, it is clear that black markets, drug traffickers and criminals found a more secretive and convenient way of doing business through mobile phones before tracking technologies were invented.

The introduction of mobile phones has also affected users financially. For example, according to a 1985 article published in the Los Angeles Times, mobile taxation was introduced after the U.S. government realized that Japan was exporting their mobile phones to the country and selling them at a cheaper price. Heavy taxation on imported mobile phones was, therefore, introduced to protect native manufacturers and marketers. Consequently, users had to pay more if they preferred an imported mobile phone. Also, governments found an avenue to increase their income by licensing service providers heavily. The cost, which is transferred to consumers, means more spending. In yet another article published in 1983 by the New York Times, the high costs of communication and subscription to mobile services, which kept going would have reduced the number of customers from subscribing to mobile phone services.

Another issue associated with mobile phones is the risk young people find themselves in by using the devices. Mobile phones have been an avenue for children and young adults to access misleading information. According to the New York Times 1987 article, mobile phones were in high demand then by teenagers who found convenience and privacy in using them to talk to friends. These put teenagers and children at risk of speaking to people who may have intentions to manipulate and hurt them, therefore, endangering their lives. The author of the article also noted concerns about teenagers using mobile phones to perpetuate the new face of bullying.

The demand for mobile phones has been and continues to increase rapidly. As a matter of fact, most companies are planning to switch their networks to digital technology so that they can easily manage the new subscribers. An article from 1989, which was published in the New York Times documents that this change was intended at lowering the costs of service, but the change was going to happen by first imposing higher costs on consumers. From this, it was clear that consumers were going to have to spend extra at first before they could finally start enjoying the benefits of the digital technology service. In the same article, Mr. Hyman explained that it would be difficult to convince consumers to switch to digital technology and pay extra dollars since most thought that their devices were serving them perfectly well. However, as more applications came about, it was not difficult to convince consumers to replace their mobile phones with more updated versions to access better services. These new inventions come with a new cost, a trend that exists even today, and is an avenue for mobile phone companies to earn even more. This trend in itself results in more spending among consumers.

The existence of mobile phones has also raised health concerns. On many occasions, drivers use their mobile phones even as they drive. By doing so, they not only put their lives at risk but also the lives of other road users. An article by Bob Pool, which was published by the Los Angeles Times in 1985, explains how cellular phones can affect the concentration of individuals. It explains that the use of mobile phones while driving diverts attention and makes it difficult for a driver to react accurately and promptly to potentially dangerous situations.

Relationship between the Issues Mentioned Above and the Theories Discussed

Judging from the issues above, it can be concluded that technology indeed determines the cultural and social change. One can argue that if mobile phones didn’t exist, some of these challenges would be unknown to the world. Road carnage and instances of crime would not be on the rise as much as they are today. It is with the help of mobile phone technology that most people are opening up to unsafe relationships and embracing technology that eats up so much of their time. It is evident that this form of technology makes life easier for everyone, but it comes with a substantial number of challenges. These issues touch on the financial, social, economic and emotional aspects of society.

The Similarity between the Above Issues and Contemporary Issues

There are many similarities between the issues discussed in this paper and contemporary issues used. A good example is mobile use while driving. Texting and calling as while driving continues to be one of the biggest causes of road carnage. Another issue that exists even today is misuse of phones by teenagers to access harmful information and bully each other. Surveys by different organizations reveal that the number of teenagers using mobile phones to access pornographic content is on the increase.

Mobile phones also continue to put users’ lives at risk as they communicate with strangers who can harm their lives. The use of mobile phones to plan and execute crime still exists as a major concern. Criminals can communicate more effectively, and international crime is on the rise to ease of communication. The costs that mobile phones incur to access mobile phone services are also a concern for many. Many users have admitted to getting into debt to acquire the latest device and subscribe to apps and services that promise the convenience of smartphones in making life easier.

Conclusion

The invention of a mobile phone presents society with blessings that can also be considered as curses. They have made communication easy and countless numbers of apps make users’ lives more convenient. However, they also present huge challenges to society. They have resulted in more sophisticated crime, increased the number of road accidents, increased spending among users, and are an avenue for teenagers to engage in unconstructive and risky relationships, among other concerns. The argument on whether the invention or people's behaviors are to blame is one that continues and will for as long as the innovation exists. Meanwhile, such issues provide content for study, debate, and research.

References

Cellular mobile phone debut. (1983, October 14). The New York Times.

Oswald, J. (1985, November 27). U.S. to tax Japan cellular phones. Los Angeles Times.

Pool, B. (1985, October 10). Mobile phones a new bane for drunk drivers. Los Angeles Times.

Sims, C. (1987, September 23). Mobile telephones for all occasions. The New York Times.

Sims, C. (1989, July 19). Meeting mobile phone demand. The New York Times.