Introduction
The use of the internet and cell phones has significantly changed people’s level of interaction. Smartphone users connect to their family and friends through social media websites. Although phones make it easy to communicate with people from a distance, they reduce face-to-face interactions. The extensive use of cell phones has made people dependent on virtual communication. Face-to-face conversations are no longer deeper and connective. Indeed, social media notifications tend to interrupt a decent conversation between two people. These are among many other negative effects covered in this paper. Although the use of cell phones and the internet keeps users connected and interactive, it adversely affects the users through communication skills, quality of conversations, the strength of relationships, and mental health, among many others.
Reduced Physical Communication Skills
Smartphone users may grow dependent on online communications thus decreasing the level of empathy. Friends who are used to chatting for long hours on WhatsApp or Facebook may be least connected when they meet face to face. Online conversations make interaction easier because while people can connect from far worlds, they can also use expressive tools within their conversations. For example, WhatsApp users often use emojis to express their feelings during a conversation. However, when they meet face to face, the phone users lack a deeper emotional connection. According to Suttie, 89% of Americans said they checked their phones during face-to-face interactions, and 82% said the conversation deteriorated thereafter. The act of constantly reacting to phone notifications or calls interrupts the physical conversation. It also disrupts a certain level of empathy needed for a deeper and more emotional connection. Furthermore, smartphone users have reduced chances of using body language, which contributes to better communication skills. The users have divided attention, thus ignoring the use of gestures and eye contact, and may miss their partners’ body language as well.
Provides Low-Quality Conversations
The use of the internet and cell phone for social interactions reduces the quality of ideas people exchange. During phone calls or message conversations, individuals are often interrupted by different concepts. Cell phones are critical because they help the users to deliver urgent information to intended receivers. However, the quality of information cannot match one that might be delivered physically. While adding the argument, Louisa says, “during messaging conversations, the chatting smartphone users do not mind being interrupted” (Wright). Thus, an idea that was intended to be discussed in deeper and longer periods might be cut short by another introduced by the other partner. Furthermore, people replace phone conversations with physical meetings and thus may never speak about important ideas contributing to their lives. Cell phone users are also likely to pass unconfirmed or incorrect information to their friends and families. Misinformation, especially regarding close friends and family members, could cause disputes. Close friends may also want to limit the things they talk about on the phone to avoid privacy issues.
Promotes Isolation and Depression
The use of cell phones can be addictive, thus promoting isolation and depression. Smartphone users, especially teenagers, choose to spend most of their free time on social media. Social media platforms are a source of different types and levels of entertainment that may attract teenagers. Through these platforms, the young people also connect with their schoolmates and peers, thus staying informed. However, excessive use of these Media eliminates the need for physical socializing. According to Wright, most teenagers spend at least seven hours on their smartphones every day in the US. During these hours, the young generation isolates themselves from all people. If left unsupervised, they are likely to spend all seven hours closed in their rooms. Such a level of isolation reduces their socially interactive skills and eliminates close friends.
General addicted smartphone users often suffer from depression, anxiety, and loneliness. A great number of adults, too, choose to stay indoors with their cell phones and internet instead of going out to meet their peers. Cell phones are surely important in people’s interactive lives but should not replace their chances of living in the real world. According to Wright, students who use their phones most report high levels of anxiety, loneliness, isolation, and depression. Loneliness is associated with the decision to replace face-to-face interaction with online communication. In general, addicted phone users are more likely to multitask by watching their favorite content while doing their duties and exhausting their minds and becoming anxious (Wright). Loneliness and a high level of anxiety, alongside other online effects such as bullying, lead to depression. Teenagers without friends easily get ,low self-esteem hence also becoming depressed.
Weakens Bonds of Relationships
The use of cell phones and the internet is also associated with weak relationship bonds. Different relationships, whether family, friends, or even romantic, are adversely affected by excessive use of smartphones (Witte). Cell phones are critical in building relationships because users can ensure that their families and friends are well through distant conversations. However, using phones during family or friends’ meetings can reduce the intended quality of time. Family gatherings are set to let the loved ones spend quality time, connect, educate, and love each other. Such meetings might or might not be productive for all the attendees. People who keep their cell phones at arm’s length barely concentrate on any activity or conversation. A counseling and guidance department expert said that phubbing makes people unable to connect with their peers (Witte). Phubbing is the act of constantly checking the phone and answering calls and messages while having a physical conversation (Witte). Although such acts seem harmless, researchers say that phubbing weakens the relationship bonds between people. For example, a friend who keeps phubbing may feel boring and seem to have no time for others.
The use of cell phones during romantic meetings may change the status of relationships. Romantic partners have the advantage of connecting at all times using phones and the internet. However, when they meet, the use of a phone might seem offensive and could trigger conflict. Some romantic partners might meet but may not connect as expected because they are often on their phones (Witte). If both of the meeting parties keep checking their phones, they lessen the quality of their interactions. Excessive use of cell phones and the internet has caused significant effects on marriages and romantic relationships. Partners who are always on the phone might be suspected of cheating or lacking commitment. Smartphones are known for the speedy delivery of messages, especially through calls and chats. However, such speed could create unrealistic expectations that can destroy romantic relationships. Partners in committed relationships expect their counterparties to answer calls and messages instantly. Consequently, delayed messages and calls weaken or break the bond of the relationship. Such behaviors are, however reported in young people in new relationships. Older people are more patient but still find phubbing disturbing.
Insomnia and other Related Health Conditions
Cell phones and internet users frequently suffer from insomnia and other mental health issues. A high number of smartphone users are also likely to carry their phones to their beds. People with busy lifestyles lack time to catch up with social media updates during the day (Pop). They, therefore, substitute their relaxing time for the same, especially when in bed. Although it is important to stay informed and entertained, using phones in bed could disrupt sleeping patterns. For example, a person who goes to bed at 10 pm might use their phones up to 1 am. Sleeping late might, in return, affect the time such people wake up. While others get late for work, some might end up missing significant appointments. The mind disruption caused by the use of a phone at night may also cause insomnia in some people. If a user often sleeps late while using the phone, trying to sleep early may be difficult.
Excessive use of cell phones and the internet can affect brain functioning and mental state. A survey conducted in 2019 revealed that at least 6500 people aged 12 to 15 in the US spent more than three hours a day on social media, heightening the risk of mental health problems (Lehman). Another England study found that using social media more than three times a day predicted poor mental health and general well-being amongst teenagers (Lehman). Teenagers are found to overuse their brains on social media thus losing concentration in school. Poor concentration is a crucial factor related to poor school performance. High school students who spend most of their free time on online social interactions pay less attention in class (Lehman). Their level of brain functioning is also reduced while in class. In adults, increased brain functioning triggered by the high absorption of social media content could lead to headaches and stress. Adults also, with high use of cell phones and the internet, find it hard to concentrate on their work.
Peer Pressure and Unrealistic View of Life
Social interactions triggered by phones and the internet could cause peer pressure and unrealistic life perception. Social media users are exposed to people with better lifestyles than theirs. At times, young people act under pressure to live the same lifestyle. According to Pop, most social media users host expensive birthday parties out of peer pressure. Young people want to record their lifestyles just because they see peers doing so on social media. Such type of pressure also makes the users live unrealistic life. Poor people and those who cannot afford the expensive lifestyle displayed on Instagram may find life unfair. Indeed, they may feel worthless, unwanted and could have low self-esteem. Such people may tend to think that all other people are rich and are living better lives compared to theirs. Having unrealistic perceptions about life increases the level of stress and could lead to depression.
Conclusion
The use of cell phones and the internet causes adverse effects on the users. Reduced communication skills, low-quality conversations, weakened relationship bonds, and mental health issues are among many negative effects. Teenagers are mostly affected by the use of smartphones and the internet. Reasonable physical interactions have been replaced by online connections, reducing the number of friends. Insomnia caused by the use of phones in bed affects young and older people equally.
Works Cited
Lehman, Charles F. “Are Smartphones and Social Media Hurting Our Kids?” Institute for Family Studies, Web.
Pop, Daniel. “The Impact of Mobile Technology in Our Lives.” Mobiversal, 2022.
Suttie, Jill. “How Phones Compromise Our Ability to Connect.” Greater Good, 2019.
Witte, Melissa D. “Phones are Making People More, Not Less, Social, Researcher Says.” Phys Org, 2020, Web.
Wright, Louisa. “Disconnected: How Phones Affect Our Relationships.” DW, 2021.