Table of Contents

Table of Contents...................................................................................................1

INRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 2

ORIGINATION OF MOBILE PHONE...........................................................................3

IMPACT OF MOBILE PHONE ON PEOPLE.................................................................4

MOBILE PHONE EFFECTS ON SOCIETY...................................................................4

EFFECT OF MOBILE PHONE ON HEALTH..............................................................5

EFFECT OF MOBILE PHONE OVER HUMAN SAFETY..............................................6

EFFECT OF MOBILE PHONE ON ECONOMY..........................................................7

CONCLUSION......................................................................................................... 7

REFERENCE............................................................................................................ 9
INRODUCTION
The element in this discussion is an overall view on the effect of mobile phone on the society,
the rapid development in telecommunication as resulted to the birth of Mobile phone; this
rapid development of wireless communication primarily through mobile phones within the
past 15 years has caused some concern among the society. Most inventions in history affect
society for decades following its introduction into the consumer market. Sometimes the
consequences and side-effects of a product do not become noticeable until much later when
there is more time for the social impact to catch up with the widespread use of the product.
This is no exception with wireless communications because the social impacts have not been
fully discovered.
ORIGINATION OF MOBILE PHONE
Firstly before an in-depth discussion on the topic, it is important to identify what mobile
phone is? It is an electronic telecommunications device, often referred to as a cellular phone
or cell phone. Mobile phone connects to a wireless communications network through radio
wave or satellite transmissions. Most mobile phones provide voice communications, Short
Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), and newer phones may also
provide Internet services such as Web browsing and e-mail. (Anon, 2010)

Mobile phones may be new devices, but they originated in the 1920’s. Radios were used
since 1921. Features were put into these radios in the 1940’s, and they were used by police.
The concept of the cellular phone was developed in 1947 which originated from the mobile
car phone. The concept of the cellular phone was produced by Bell Laboratories. The first
actual cell phone was made in 1973 by Martin Cooper of Motorola and other assisting
inventors who used the idea of the car phone and applied the technology necessary to make a
portable cell phone possible. Cell phones were first made available to the public in 1984.
Back then, they were very large, expensive instruments. The image below is an expel of the
first generation of mobile phone. (Anon, n.d)

Source: Anon, n.d

IMPACT OF MOBILE PHONE ON PEOPLE
For the contributions to society, it is argued in detail that Mobile phones help to create an
informative, connected, culturally innovative, participative, and converging society. From
research it is understood that the lowest mobile phone usage is found among those aged 60
years and above, the majority of users are subscribers and prepaid user is concentrated among
those under 25years. Convenience of the mobile phone is the reason most frequently given
for choosing to talk on a mobile phone rather than a landline.

The invention of information and communication technology are said to be revolutionising

work and family life. Mobile phones increase the scope for work and family flexibility by
enabling the micro-coordination of time, tasks and schedules. This is particularly significant
as people are now working at times and places outside of the traditional workday and place. It
is widely believed that technologies like the mobile phone are blurring boundaries between
personal life and the workplace. While for some commentators these developments represent
a threat to the quality of modern life, for others they represent new opportunities for
integrating the spheres of work and family. Wold wide there are now over 1.7 billion mobile
phone users. (Wajcman, et al, 2007)

MOBILE PHONE EFFECTS ON SOCIETY

Technology has been growing at a rapid rate to accommodate the needs and desires of people
in obtaining a simpler lifestyle. One of the greatest technologies to hit the 21st century is the
cell phone. Majority of the Filipino youth, who use to own a pager are now using cell phones.
It is practically impossible for one not to spot or hear this device go off in the hands of a
teenager, be at a church, school, and car. Cell phones are ever-present. It has become a
phenomenon and an addiction, to own a cell phone, that adolescents find it to be a necessity
in one’s life. This type of youth mentality of can lead to positive as well as negative effects
on their culture. Sony Ericsson’s advertisement for their cell phones goes, “Making Life
Simpler”. Yes, cell phones indeed have made life simpler and easier for the Filipino youth.
The features of cell phones have advanced over the years, which have made the once hip
pager obsolete for the Filipino youth. One could find a camera, video recorder, radio,
Internet, and games on this contraption. (Anon, 2010)
EFFECT OF MOBILE PHONE ON HEALTH

Mobile phones communicate by transmitting radio waves through a network of fixed

antennas called base stations. Radiofrequency waves are electromagnetic fields, and unlike
ionizing radiation such as X-rays or gamma rays, cannot break chemical bonds nor cause
ionization in the human body. Reports have been raised about the normal mobile phone,
which has an antenna in the handset. In this case, the antenna is very close to the user's head
during normal use of the telephone and there is concern about the level of microwave
emissions to which the brain is being exposed. (WHO, 2010)

According to Media reports, which have claimed that up to 70 percent of the microwave
emissions from hand-held mobile telephones may be absorbed in the user's head. This is not
supported by the evidence, but nevertheless leads to speculation that hot spots may be created
in the user's brain, thereby raising concerns that the telephones may be a health risk. Other
reports have indicated that mobile telephone users suffer localized headaches when they use
their telephone. At this stage, it is difficult to evaluate the evidence supporting these reports,
since they have not been published. The brain cancer is been reported to have originated in
the USA where a number of lawsuits have been lodged against mobile telephone
manufacturers and suppliers. These claims for damages allege that the microwave emissions
from mobile telephones used by the claimants caused their (in some cases, fatal) brain
cancers. Those few cases that have been tried have been dismissed for lack of supporting
evidence. (Anon, 2010)

In addition, Researchers found "highly significant" evidence for damages to brain cells in
pests exposed for 2 hrs to microwaves from mobile phones; and these damages were still seen
50 days after the exposure. One quarter of the world’s population is now exposing themselves
to microwaves from hand-held mobile phones. The research team in Lundt University,
Sweden, led by Leif Salford, referred to this as "the largest human biologic experiment ever".
They point out that soon, microwaves will be emitted by an abundance of other appliances in
the ‘cordless’ office and in the home. Most researchers have concentrated on the question of
whether radiofrequency electromagnetic fields can induce or promote cancer, but the
evidence appears conflicting. (Dr. Mae-wan, 2010)
EFFECT OF MOBILE PHONE OVER HUMAN SAFETY
Mobile phone usage while driving is widespread habit among people in the society but it is
unsafe. In order to solve this problem, some jurisdictions have made the use of a cell phone
while driving prohibited. Others jurisdictions have created laws to ban handheld mobile
phone users while driving, but allow use of a hands free device. In some cases restrictions are
only directed to minors or those who are immediate license holders. (Anon, 2010)

A study commissioned by a leading UK insurance company, Direct Line (2003), revealed

that talking on any cell phone while driving is so mentally distracting that it is as dangerous
as driving when slightly over the legal blood-alcohol limit. (In Britain, the BAC limit is
0.08%, the same as in the U.S.A.) Despite these results applying to hands-free phones as well
as hand-held ones, Direct Line drew a line by suggesting that the findings should be used to
bring about a total ban on the use only of hand-held cell phones while driving, but in purely
safety terms that was a climb-down by a company that did not wish to aggravate potential
clients by supporting an all-out ban. (Wren, 2003)

According to Dr Suzanne McEvoy, Senior Research Fellow at The George Institute stated in
Science Daily (2006) Almost 3 million drivers across the two states in Australia use a phone
while driving. Men, younger drivers and metropolitan residents were found to be the worst
offenders. In addition to talking on the phone 12% of drivers admit to writing text messages,
while among young drivers, over 30% write text messages while on the road. Young drivers
were almost five times more likely than older drivers to use a phone while driving."The
Australian public are not getting the message that mobile phone use whilst driving is a
dangerous activity. The risk of a crash increases four-fold when using a mobile phone,
irrespective of whether you are using a hand-held or a hands-free device. Based on the results
of our study an estimated 45,000 drivers have crashed while using a mobile phone, and over
the past year more than 5,000 drivers have experienced a 'near miss' due to talking on the
phone. The table below shows the rate of accident cause by mobile phone while driving;
 Means and standard errors (in parentheses) for the Alcohol, Base line, and Cell-Phone
conditions
Alcohol Base line Cell Phone
Total Accidents 0 [0] 0 [2] 3 [10]
Brake Onset Time (msec) 888 (51) 943 (58) 1022 (61)
Braking Force (% of maximum) 69.6 (3.6) 56.4 (2.5) 55.2 (2.9)
Speed (MPH) 52.8 (.08) 54.9 (.08) 53.2 (.07)
Following Distance (meters) 26.5 (1.7) 27.3 (1.3) 28.5 (1.6)
½ Recovery Time 5.4 (0.3) 5.4 (0.3) 6.2 (0.4)

Source: (Anon, 2010)

EFFECT OF MOBILE PHONE ON ECONOMY

In the UK, the mobile telephone sector directly supports 174,300 jobs in 2003. This was
0.59% of total UK employment in the same period. Once account is taken of the jobs created
in other industries by the wealth generated by the mobile phone sector. The so called
multiplier effect the number of employees dependent on the mobile phone sector rises to
197,000 and 0.66% of the economy.

The job contribution from mobile telephony has stagnated over the period from 2000-2003 as
jobs resulting from capital expenditure (which is relatively labour intensive) feel, offsetting
growth in other areas over the period of 2008 it is likely that the capital expenditure revives
and as the number of job generated by value added services becomes significant. Beyond
2008 the high growth in productivity in the sector is likely to mean that job creation from the
sector will be slower. In 2008 the sector was able to support directly 213,000 jobs, 0.69% of
all jobs in the UK economy and with multiplier effect included the number is likely to be
240,700, 0.78% of the number of jobs in the economy. By 2013 the number directly
supported jobs is likely to rise to 223, 800, 0.70% of all jobs in the economy and the total
number including multiplier effects is likely to rise to 252,900, 0.79% of all jobe in the uk
economy. (MMO2, 2004)

CONCLUSION

From the discussion above it is understood that mobile phone have had both positive and
negative effect on the society. With the way people increasingly rely on powerful mobile
phones instead of PCs to access the Web; their surfing habits are poised for change that may
prove as dramatic as the past shift from PC desktop to the Internet Era. What’s more,
Smartphone apps could replace online advertising as the Web’s primary economic engine,
putting Google’s leadership role into question.
REFERENCE
Anon, 2010. Mobile phone.
Available at: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/mobile_phone.html
[Accessed 12 August 2010]

Anon, n.d. Origin

Available at: http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/02001/origin.htm
[Accessed 12 August 2010]

Wajcman, et al, 2007. The impact of mobile phone on work life and balance.
Available at:
http://politicsir.cass.anu.edu.au/staff/wajcman/pubs/Report_on_Mobiles_and_Work_Life_Bal
ance_June_07.pdf
[Accessed 13 August 2010]

Anon, 2010. Cell phone effects on society.

Available at:
http://www.radessays.com/viewpaper/53085/Cell_phones_effects_on_society.html
[Accessed 13 August 2010]

WHO., 2010. Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones. [Online]
May
Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/
[Accessed 13 August 2010]

Anon, 2010. Mobile telephone and health effect.

Available at: http://www.arpansa.gov.au/mobilephones/index.cfm
[Accessed 13 August 2010]

Dr. Mae-wan, 2010. Mobile phone and brain damage.

Available at: http://www.i-sis.org.uk/MPABD.php
[Accessed 14 August 2010]
Anon, 2010, Mobile phone and driving safety.
Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phones_and_driving_safety
[Accessed 14 August 2010]

Wren .E. 2003., Death by cell phone.

Available at: http://www.driveandstayalive.com/articles%20and%20topics/crash
%20causation/cell-phone-dangers.htm
[Accessed 14 August 2010]

Dr Suzanne McEvoy, stated in Science Daily (2006). Drivers ignore the risk of mobile phone
use.
Available at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061211124129.htm
[Accessed 14 August 2010]

MMO2, 2004. The changing economic impact of mobile telephone. [pdf]

London: MMO2
Available at: http://www.o2.com/media_files/changing_impact_cebr_report_210704.pdf
[Accessed 15 August 2010]