Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Cell Phones

Marwa Abdulah
Writing 1101 Sec 03
Professor Maltman
March, 28 2011
                                Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Cell Phones

In Past decades, people used letters to communicate Until the 1800s; but this way was very convenient, because letters get lost or delivered late and people couldn’t contact with each other in emergency situations, but after the invention of the telephone in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell; it became easier for people to communicate. Technology improves our society.  It has allowed us to travel great distance by plane, save lives with medical technology advancement, and allowed access to the informational highway with just a click of the mouse. One advance of technology that has rocketed in the past ten years is the availability of cell phones. According to study, “In the U.S., more than 190 million people used cell phones as of June 2005, compared to only 4.3 million in 1990.” Cell phones are having a great influence in our live and are very convenient to keep with us. Cell phones are a faster and an easy way to transfer and receive information However; cell phones have negative effects on our life.
Some of the great influence, cell phones are allowing people to stay connected wherever they go and whenever they want. While it’s true that it’s easier to keep in touch with friends, family, and with who’s ever important in someone’s life. It’s also easier to keep in touch with them in a long distance. Cell phone service has revolutionized long distance calling and made long distance charges almost a thing of the past. Even land line long distance is often free for so many minutes. People have declined land lines completely at times in favor of cell phones because of the good long distance minutes especially for people who lives far away from their family.
 For business people, the advantages are being able to contact the partners and customers who are important in all situations, even if one of them is outside the work.  They can solve their problems at any time, although some associates who do not like this way might call that a disadvantage, too.  Besides the benefits of the latest technology to users, cell phones also tend to play an essential role in helping dealing with crimes. “As more people communicate on cell phones with video and pictures we could very well see a decrease in crime. Criminals will realize they may be caught on phone if they attempt any criminal activities because of the prevalence of these camera phones.” Says Brian Lee So, Cell phones play an important role to help in a difficult situation like this.
  Furthermore, cell phones are not just for calling, they also include messaging, video, songs, games, alarm clock, notes, calendar, and reminder, so it is a one device that has different uses. Cell phone can be use as a record evidence for police investigation. For example, accidents get reported to 911 rapidly, traffic updates occur more often because citizens call and report back ups, and drivers who need to be taken off the road because of  being intoxicated or just plain reckless will be located quicker and easier. Perhaps the greatest benefit owning a cell phone is the security, people know that they can call for assistance anytime or anywhere they need, too. In the past, millions of people were stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and no one around because their car broke down. Not being able to get help, and having to rely on the kindness of strangers who passed by. It was not only frustrating but dangerous as well. Moreover, kids who are in age of 13 and over should have cell phone because if ever they need help, only a phone call away specially, teens who are driving in late time. Sometimes they get in trouble such as car accident, run out of gas, and break down.  According to Robert, “Cell phones seem to be a great security feature for the parents. They can now be 'connected' to their children 24 hours a day, 7 days week, and 365 days a year. And of course, it allows the child to dial 911 if an emergency arises, now with the GPS Location Sensitivity feature; your child will be located during that emergency with ten feet of the phones location.” In the other hand, one of the cell phones advantage, cell phone is not only helpful for adults but also for high school student. According to Kristina, “Should cell phones be allowed in school? The simple answer is yes, but with limitation.” Kristina talked about how cell phone is important for students in many ways one of them, student could share notes when miss class or ever share an important event at school with their parents if they could not make it to their children school for any reason so they could send them pictures or a life videos, at the same times they have to make sure to educate them in how and when to use it. Also parents, students, and teachers have to agree that it’s important to have a limitation of using it at school.