The Efficacy and Ethical Issues involved in Cell Phone Use
The number of uses for the cell phones keeps growing, as technology evolves more and more.
As Lydia Lum writes in an article, teenagers can use their cell phones as one more tool to help them prepare for the SAT Tests. “Indeed, various software developers have introduced programs transforming cell phones into study aids” Lum says. This method does not replace the conventional way to study, as the phone has some limitations, for example, the students can’t practice essay writing, but for some students this method really helps (Lum).
With the evolving of the cell phone technology however, there are growing concerns about its uses and effects. In her report in the World Watch magazine, Molly O’Meara Sheehan discusses a few of the effects of the cell phones manufacturing practices and usage. One of the components used to manufacture a cell phone, coltan, is at the center of controversy as it is found in the ground in Congo and besides other controversial issues about it, many kids have to skip school to go work in the coltan mines. Another problem Sheehan raises is the issue of the disposal of the cell phones and the dangers of the lead being leaked out into the environment. Some phone companies have implemented buy-back or recycling procedures to help control the random disposal of the cell phones. In addition, the health implications like possible head or neck cancers have yet to be determined from different studies (Sheehan).
Another growing concern with the cell phones is when used while driving. Many businesses “promote safe driving practices for their employees” while others have implemented strict rules and about using the cell phone while driving, as Meg Shreve reports in an article in Business Insurance.
Dong-Chul Seo, PhD, and Mohammad R. Torabi, PhD, did an interesting study, published in the Journal of American College Health, among college students in four states regarding cell phone use while driving. They say, “Our findings in this study support the association of in-vehicle cell-phone use with accidents or near-accidents. [. . .] One finding was that the more frequently drivers used a cell phone while driving [. . .] the more accidents or near accidents they experienced.”
While the sample they used might not be representative of all population, the results of the study still raise some concerns.
From the benefit of studying for your SAT test, to the privilege of using your cell phone including in the car, to how you dispose of an old phone, there are responsibilities that come with these privileges.
Response
I would have never anticipated that these days teenagers would have the opportunity to study for tests using their cell phones; and not to ask each other questions, but to actually practice sample test questions on their cell phones.
Even if this kind of catching up study does not replace the virtual book study, it is still something interesting and worth considering at least. While riding in a car or bus, or during some other more passive activities, you can test and practice your math or grammar skills. Of course, this type of studying should not replace all the preparation that goes into getting ready for a test; the cell phone studying should be just a supplement.
However, the fact that the phone has limitations should also be taken into consideration. As Lydia Lum explains in her article, essay writing and geometry problems cannot be handled very well by studying using the cell phone. Therefore, we should not throw away those notebooks to practice essay writing and other material, just yet. Nevertheless, if the cell phone yields additional possibilities to keep up with learning, I say go for it.
As we look at all the uses and privileges we have by using a cell phone, and the multitude of people owning cell phones now, we also have to look at the manufacturing and the disposal practices of cell phones.
An example of material used in cell phones is coltan, which is “a heat-resistant mineral” found in the Republic of Congo, as Molly O’Meara Sheehan writes in her article “The Ubiquitous Cell Phone”. In the coltan mines there are children that have to work instead of going to school, and reputable companies buy this mineral, dug up by them and other outlawed groups of people. It is sad that companies have to resort to material provided by controversial circumstances like these.
The disposal of the cell phones is another big problem as the chemicals that are in them go into our environment. It is a great thing if we are being aware of the dangers of just throwing away a cell phone in the trash. The cell phone companies and other vendors that sell them, should have some kind of guidelines on how to inform customers of the phone’s disposal, or have programs in which they would recycle them.
Moreover, another concern with the cell phones is using them while driving. There have been studies done, like that of Dong-Chul Seo, PhD, and Mohammad R. Torabi, PhD, which was published in the Journal of American College Health, and these studies suggest that there is a correlation between talking on the cell phone while driving, and the probability of being involved in an accident. And I think to a certain degree it is only common sense that talking and being involved mentally and may be emotionally in a phone call, will have at least some kind of impact on your full ability to make driving decisions. The studies done seem to show that the frequency of the calls is what impairs your driving abilities, and not so much the physical involvement, as people using hands-free cell phones were also at risk and were involved in accidents (Seo and Torabi).
I agree with the idea of not talking on the cell phone while driving, even though I do it sometimes. I try to limit myself to important or urgent matters only though, not to use that time for socializing with my friends. Even when I use the cell phone as seldom as it may be, I have to be more careful and I feel that I am not in my full capabilities to drive and in full control, as I normally would be without talking.
If everybody would use better judgment about when and how to go about talking on the cell phone when driving, we would probably reduce some of our unnecessary conversations and the frequency of the calls, therefore reducing the chances for accidents and disruption of the traffic.
Works Cited
Lum, Lydia. “A Useful Study Aid or Jazzed-up Novelty?”. Black Issues in Higher Education 10 Mar. 2005: 36-7.31 WilsonSelectPlus. Macomb Community College., Warren., Mi. 16 Feb. 2006
O’Meara Sheehan, Molly. “The Ubiquitous Cell Phone”. World Watch May/June 2004 WilsonSelectPlus. Macomb Community College., Warren., Mi.
16 Feb. 2006
Seo, Dong-Chul and Mohammad R. Torabi. “The impact of In-vehicle
Cell-Phone Use on Accidents or Near-Accidents Among College Students”.
Journal of American College Health Nov/Dec 2004: 101-7 WilsonSelectPlus. Macomb Community College., Warren., Mi. 16 Feb. 2006
Shreve, Meg. “Safety, Liability Concerns Spur Employers to Make Rules on Cell Phone Use”. Business Insurance 12 July 2004 WilsonSelectPlus. Macomb Community College., Warren., Mi. 16 Feb. 2006
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