The Dangers of Cell Phones - Paper Example

Paper Type: Research paper

Pages: 7

Wordcount: 1760 Words

Date: 2022-09-26

Categories:

Introduction

With the development of technology, everyone including school-going children wants to own a cell phone. It is obvious that cell phones have significantly changed communication and other things that people can use it for such as browsing and checking locations. However, people tend to be carried away by the benefits of cell phones as they forget the dangers it poses on them, especially their health. The aim of this paper is to examine and discuss the dangers of cell phones. As will be discussed in this essay, the dangers of cell phones are numerous; for instance, texting while driving can result in an accident, the germs on the cell phones can cause illness, the radiofrequency radiation can cause cancer, and they can give away the user's location.

First, cell phones can be addictive which can be dangerous, especially when texting while driving. Texting while driving reduces one's concentration on the road. As Moore explains, almost everyone has heard about the dangers posed by the cell phones while driving, but very few people take their time to think through the risks involved (1). Even though someone can argue that there are people who can multitask well, texting or even making a phone call while driving can distract the driver. As a result, this can result in an accident. Moore explains that when texting, checking the social media posts, checking music to play or making a phone call do not only pose a threat to the driver but everyone around him or her (3). Therefore, it is important to be keen and avoid distractions of the cell phone.

Secondly, people carry cell phones but they are unaware of the germs on these gadgets that can result in serious illnesses. According to Kathryn, our bodies host about 100 trillion microbes that weigh over 2 pounds (1). These microbes include viruses, bacteria, and fungi (Kathryn 2). According to the author, researchers have identified two main bacteria that are commonly found on the cell phones that we carry; for instance, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff) (Kathryn 8). People use phones while eating with their hands and they can be easily exposed to these pathogens. Based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's statistics, one in every twenty-five people contracts healthcare-associated infection such as C. diff or MRSA through their cell phones (Kathryn 8). Therefore, it is advisable that people should ensure that they moderate how they use cell phones to avoid contracting pathogens found on these gadgets.

Thirdly, cell phones emit radiofrequency radiation that can cause cancer and other diseases. According to NIH, the radiofrequency radiation emitted by cell phones is a form of electromagnetic radiation, which can be categorized as either ionizing or non-ionizing (2). Macmillan further explains how these electromagnetic radiations can affect the human health. According to the author, cell phones emit electromagnetic radiation when they receive or send signals, through their antennas. Exposure to such radiation can result in brain cancer and other diseases such as tumors of the acoustic nerve, hearing and memory problems, low sperm count, and behavior as well as sleep disorders (Macmillan 2). Based on the California Department of Public Health's guidelines, Macmillan recommends some ways that cell phone users can reduce their exposure to the radiation emitted when they use these gadgets. For instance, one of the recommendations is to keep the cell phones away from the body when they are not used.

Lastly, cell phones can easily give away the user's location without their awareness, which can result in security risks. Noubir explains how our locations can be accessed by third parties without our notice. According to Noubir, the cell phone's vulnerabilities emanate from the communication interfaces and GPS installed in the phones (2). Further, he explains that through the gyroscopes and accelerometers can measure the movements of the user whether it is turned off or on (Noubir 2). Therefore, even if one disables these devices, the apps installed in the cell phones can still give away our location; thus, compromising our personal security.

Some people may argue that cell phones have improved the lives of people, through enhanced communication and portability of these gadgets make them suitable to be carried around. All this is true, but it is important to consider the dangers that the cell phones can pose, especially to the user's health. As discussed above, cell phones can result in serious health conditions such as brain cancer and other forms of illnesses if not used with precaution.

Conclusion

To conclude, this essay has discussed and analyzed four main dangers that cell phones pose to our security, health, and lives in general. The four issues discussed include texting while driving can result in an accident, the germs on the cell phones can cause illness, the radiofrequency radiation can cause cancer, and they can give away the user's location. Therefore, cell phones may have improved and revolutionized the communication process, but the dangers it poses are also serious to be considered as well. Therefore, people need to take precaution while using cell phones to avoid compromising their personal security, contracting pathogens and cancer and minimize distractions from the phones when driving.

Works Cited

Kathryn, Heather. Your Cell Phone is covered with a personal Bacterial of Cocktail. Healthline, June 24, 2014. Accessed on November 3, 2018, from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cell-phones-bacterial-cocktail-062414

Macmillan, Amanda. Cell Phone Radiation may be Dangerous, California Health Officials Warn. Time, December 18, 2017. Accessed on November 3, 2018, from http://time.com/5069317/california-mobile-phone-radiation/

Moore, Evans. Dangers of Using your Cell Phone While Driving. EvansMoore, LLC, 2018. Accessed on November 3, 2018, from https://www.evansmoorelaw.com/practice-areas/car-accidents/distracted-driving-accidents/dangers-of-using-your-cellphone-while-driving/

NIH. Cell Phones and Cancer Risks. National Cancer Institute, November 1, 2018. Accessed on November 3, 2018, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/cell-phones-fact-sheet

Noubir, Guevara. Your mobile phone can give away your location, even if you tell it not to. The conversation, February 8, 2018. Accessed on November 3, 2018, from http://theconversation.com/your-mobile-phone-can-give-away-your-location-even-if-you-tell-it-not-to-65443

Annotated Bibliography

This article explains how cell phones are covered with bacteria that can affect the user's health condition. The author explains that the human body hosts about 100 trillion microbes, which weighs more than 2 pounds. These microbes, according to Kathryn, are made of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which can affect the human body negatively. The author further explains that cell phone users may have been exposed to risks of getting pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C.diff) without their knowledge. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that one in every twenty-five people contracts healthcare-associated infection. This article is published by a reputable organization, Healthline, which makes the information credible and suitable for my research. The article further describes the dangers posed by the cell phones on the users' health, which will help me in my research to analyze the effects of germs found on cell phones on the users' health.

This article explains the medical effects of cell phones on the human body, especially how the emission of radiofrequency radiation can affect human health. The article also explains the guidelines published by the California Department of Public Health on how people can reduce their exposure to radiation from cell phones. Based on the guidelines, Macmillan explains that some laboratory studies have shown that there is a possibility that long-term use of cell phones can be associated with some types of cancer as well as other health effects. Some of the cancer types associated with long-term use of cell phones include brain cancer. Other diseases include tumors of the acoustic nerve, low sperm count, memory, hearing, behavior and sleep disorder (Macmillan, 2). This article is published by a reputable magazine, Times, which makes the information reliable and suitable for my research. The article highlights important concepts on the medical impacts of cell phones, which will help me my research to analyze the health dangers posed by mobile phones.

This article explains the dangers of driving while using cell phones. According to the author, despite that people have heard about the dangers posed by cell phones while driving, very few people take time to think about the risks involved in using the phones while behind the wheels. The author asserts that using cell phones while driving can result in the distraction that can result in an accident. As the author explains, many people who use their cell phones while driving do not understand that not only their lives they are risking but everyone's around them when they drive while on phone texting or calling or even checking the social media. This article is published by a reputable law firm that makes it valid for my research. Also, the article raises important concepts regarding the negative impacts of cell phones that will help me in my research to understand and analyze the dangers posed by mobile phones' use while driving.

This article explains the detrimental effects of cell phones on the user's health. The website highlights how cell phones may cause cancer or even other serious health problems. Cell phones produce radiofrequency radiation known as the radio waves from their antennas. Any part of the body that is near to the antennas can absorb this energy, which can result in cancer or other diseases. Based on other research that has been carried out on the medical relationship between the cell phones and cancer risks, NIH highlights concepts that have been proven, which makes the source credible and valid for my research. NIH is a reputable medical study website that provides credible and reliable information. This article explains critical concepts regarding the negative medical impacts of cell phones and also recommends how the mobile phone users can minimize exposure to radiofrequency radiation, which reduces the cancer risks; all these information will help me in my research to understand and analyze the medical effects of cell phones.

This article discusses how cell phones can give away the owner's or user's location...

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