The invention of mobile phone is probably one of the most significant advancements in the present era. It will be remembered as a historical and transformational event. This has reached our hands in the form of a smartphone with all its user-friendly features and access to high-speed internet which makes it almost like genie that fulfils any command that we give. This smart phone has become an integral part of an individual’s life. While there are innumerable benefits with this, there are as many aspects to be cautious about as well. So, one has to be smart enough to handle the smartphone which otherwise is perfectly capable of destroying one’s life.
It is needless to talk about the countless benefits. of smartphones that has made a significant impact in our daily lives. Quite simply, we are able to do a plethora of tasks using the smartphone which were unimaginable just a decade ago. Maps Navigation, weather forecast, access news in any part of the globe, ability to book travel tickets from the comfort of home, buy books or any household articles with the click of a button, listen to music, watch movies and what not. Everything is literally available with the tap of a finger.
Along with these conveniences, the list of disadvantages is equally long. The fascinating world of smartphone can drag anyone very easilyinto its fold. It is devised in such a way that it has all the requisite elements that can take advantage of your inherent weaknesses. Though this was made by world-renowned intellectuals, they probably did not envisage the fatal form that their invention can take and can become an addiction and paralyze an entire generation of people. Aware of its dangers, it is not surprising if they kept their own children away from it. But from a business perspective, they themselves release attractive upgrades and features in the market time and again.
The smartphone is replete with so many lucrative features that the consumer does not realize when he has become addicted to it. He only realizes this when, for some reason, he has to be away from it for some time. It is then that he finds himself totally helpless and stressed out to a point of depression and feels that he cannot live without his phone.
Unrestrained use of smartphone can easily derail one’s daily schedule. Wake up and sleep routine is affected owing to which many people end up suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders. While some people can’t part with their phones till late hours of night, there are others who start their day with their phones and continue to make it part of their daily routine. There are others who use their phone on waking up in the middle of the night or when they cannot fall asleep. It is also a common sight to see people using their smartphone while driving their vehicles and even while walking.
It is not surprising then to find that the electromagnetic waves emanating from the device result in body-aches and headaches. Long term usage even leads to irritability and restlessness. Looking at mobile screen day and night adversely affects eyesight and many users have ended up with related ailments. Doctors have been creating awareness of the adverse effects of these devices time and again.
The virtual world of smartphone has been excessively influencing individual behaviour. People are so engrossed in maintaining their friends on social media that they are losing out on real-world friendships. It is impossible to keep everyone happy on social media and it is indeed a herculean task to maintain friendship. with thousands of contacts. The bubble has to burst one day or the other. If one does not get the expected number of likes or comments on a post, or when they do not meet the expectations of their social contacts, it leads to a series of disappointments, stress and depression. All this leads to deterioration in mental health.
Spending too much time and energy in the virtual world has detrimental effect on family life as well.
Many relationships are crumbling as a result of this addiction. Smartphone is poisoning the lives of many married couples. The recurrent incidents of crime, misuse, deception, manipulation, fraud and violence being committed using smartphone remind us to use it judiciously.
The virtual world is filled with distorted content that can easily misdirect an immature mind. Many children are falling prey to this content and are not only aging prematurely but are also getting involved in questionable activities and committing different crimes. Excessive use of smartphone has resulted in loss of memory in many people. In summary, the ill-effects of smartphone usage have given birth to plethora of mental disorders; and special treatment centres have been established to tackle these cases.
In this way, while there are innumerable uses of smartphone, there is equal number of various kinds of risks when not used in moderation. All of us need to be smart in using them and have certain amount of awareness. We should use it like a master and not become a slave to it. We should take special care and protect our children and the next generation from the ill effects of smartphone. In order to do this, let us begin with our own selves and our families.
Akhand Jyoti
July-Aug 2019