Over the last 40 years technology has advanced to the point that people now have gadgets such as smartphones that allow them to communicate, connect and be exposed to new concepts.

The first ever cell phone made was in 1983 by the company Motorola, paving a new and different path for others.

According to Bank My Cell, The number of mobile phone users around the world is currently 7.33 billion equating to 91.53% of the world being smartphone users.

The number of people who own phones has grown exponentially over the last four decades increasing so that over half of the world’s population owns a cellular device.

The cell phone has ultimately made communication easier by allowing people to connect across the world on several different media apps.

Not only has it helped to improve correspondence but it has also enhanced access to healthcare services, saving many lives and bettering health and wellness. 

One student that has benefited from the convenience of a mobile device is sophomore Micheal Weston.

“I have had a cell phone for four years, and it has made many things in my life easier and more convenient,” stated Weston. “I think that my cell phone has allowed me to discover new activities that I enjoy doing and to help me feel safer.” 

With mobile devices, people can read books, play various video games, listen to music, search up questions, take pictures, use calendars, attend zoom meetings and engage in a variety of other activities on their devices. 

One person whose life has dramatically changed by these different capabilities is retired teacher Cathy Duke.

“I was 43 when I got my first mobile device, and as technology has grown, my connection with loved ones hundreds of miles away, organization and entertainment capabilities has been life altering,” expressed Duke. “Growing up you had to ask for directions, not rely on GPS, and wait for weeks on letters to hear news from loved ones who lived far away instead of talking to them anytime you want.”

Phones have provided many valuable and different ways of making people’s lives easier, but they also have some negative aspects as well.

People are spending more and more time on their phones, and the average screen time has increased up to 50% according to Mobiversal.

On average a person picks up their phone about 58 times a day adding up to 3 hours and 15 minutes spent on the device according to Mobiversal.

Several negative effects have been associated with the additional time people are spending on their mobile phones affecting their psyche. 

Some of these effects include stunted social skills, distractions, addictions and wasting valuable time.

Experts suggest that smartphone addictions can impact brains negatively because the devices are being overused and create unhealthy dependencies according to smartphone-addiction.

Some examples of the effects smartphones have on the brain include fear of missing out (FOMO), attachment and sleep deprivation.

Smartphones can also trigger psychological issues for the many users of these cellular devices.  

According to a Jama Psychiatry Study, Many adolescents who spend over three hours a day on social media have more internalizing issues and feel more lonely.

Phone addictions are also affecting a large proportion of people’s mental health causing them to feel depressed and have increased anxiety because of the content they are exposed to and an increased number of people have fallen into detrimental patterns according to Smartphone-addiction.

One student that feels phones can be very addicting and can cause more problems than good is Senior Morgan Warren.

“I find my phone is very good at predicting what I like to look at and it can be hard to pull away as I have often only wanted to spend 10 minutes on my phone but find that I have spent hours,” stated Warren. “One thing I have noticed about the people I am around, and myself included, is when we are uncomfortable, we get on our phones instead of spending time with the person beside us or getting to know a new group of people.” 

Another student who has experienced the negative effects of over usage of their cell phone is Freshmen Ethan McMasters.

“I have had a phone since the 6th grade, but feel that it affects my daily life because of the many apps and media that takes up my time,” stated McMasters. “I have worked on limiting my screen time so that I have more time to spend with my friends and family.”

The creation of cell phones have helped to contribute and advance many conveniences in today’s society.

Some of these advancements include good aspects such as increased communication and safety, but there are some pitfalls as well. 

Cell phones provide a significant aide to one’s daily lives but must be used with caution so that the negative consequences can be balanced.