Technology is the application of scientific expertise and knowledge to the creation of tools that can be used to address particular societal issues. Advanced technological devices like smartphones, airplanes, radio, television, and fax machines are a few examples. The way individuals meet, connect, and play has altered as a result of technology. The desire for better transmission, storage, and retrieval results in a growth in technological information every day. Sociologists have consequently been increasingly concerned with how to adjust to changes that occur along with technological advancements. As a result of a recent human invention, smartphones have assimilated into everyday life. The sophisticated features in the smartphones allow people to keep pictures, personal information, correspondence or even economic data in one place as part of the modern telecommunication facilities. In various parts of the world, smartphones exist as the only reliable forms of communication available.
The device has become a necessity for many people since it combines an advanced computing capability like the internet, information retrieval, ability to install applications and other features. “The mass cell phone" mobilization became part of humanity about two decades ago, and since then, there has been a growing concern over the effects of mobile phones on the human health and life due to the increasing population of both the cell phones and users. The impact of technological advancement in the mobile industry is both positive and negative. However, this paper will focus on the ways through which the mobile phones affects both physical and the mental health of the users. The article will highlight the recent scientific facts and analysis of the manner in which the smartphones affect both physical and psychological well-being of people across the globe. We also discuss the application of sociological theories on the topic.
Applicable Sociological Theories
Both psychosocial and sociological theories can be used to explain the effects of mobile phones on humanity. The reason is that the use of such devices has profound impacts on both the society and the well-being of individuals, more so the adolescents and youths (Geser, 2004).
The first theory is the Erikson’s psychosocial theory which provides one of the ways to look at the effect of cell phone technology on the development of the adolescents. The approach has a basis on the idea that the development of a child at any given stage is influenced majorly by the surrounding social world (Sarwar & Soomro, 2013). In his publication of the article “Childhood and Society,” Erikson gave the eight stages of development tied to particular body zones. The report majorly focused on the general encounter between an individual's maturing ego and the social world surrounding him during the stages. Concerning this theory, one may argue that the use of smartphones continue to impact on the social lives of people because it is an environment initiated progress in a stage of development. Therefore many people find it necessary to possess the phones because the social environment they thrive in has made it a necessity.
Apart from the Erikson’s theory, we also have the Marcia’s Ego Identity Status Paradigm (Geser, 2004). Marcia based his finding of the study on the fifth stage of Erikson’s development levels, commonly known as the adolescent identity versus role confusion. By use of a model, James highlighted that adolescents engage in the task of identity formation depending on the external environmental factors. According to the theory, four statuses are influenced by the levels of exploration or crises that ensue as one transition from one stage of development to the other. Erikson had stated in the 1950s that the concomitants of an optimal identity originate from the sense of knowing the social direction to pursue; hence, identity formation is a lifelong process which involves partial identification with people and the culture that exists in that particular environment (McGrath, 2012). The youth and adolescents perceive mobile phones as part of the structure of the society which is accompanied by specific rights and recognition (McGrath, 2012).
The fact that people continue to own cell phones is evidence that the social environments consider that technology as an essential and necessary tool. The reason behind such considerations is that the phones influence the social skills, interactions, and identification (Geser, 2004). People use the Short Message Services, the voice to voice communications, the installed applications, and other games more than ever before. Opportunity to connect with friends has also improved tremendously. The constant connection that comes with cell phones has implications on the present decisions and explorations. Cell phones may also allow youth the opportunity to multitask; for instance, one may play a game on a Smartphone, while at the same time sending a text message. Also, a driver may be driving, while at the same time communicating with friends via a voice call.
Literature Review - Strengths and Possible Criticisms of the Sources
Use of smartphones affects both the mental and physical health. This part of the article provides a review of the existing research on the relationship between use of mobile phones and the psychological and physical health of the users.
Mobile technology has been found to be capable of providing mental health resources and support (David, Kazantzis, Rickwood, & Rickard, 2016). Factors like income, insurance, time, and the availability of providers have a negative impact on people who would wish to access mental health services. Mobile technology has turned out to be more appealing because of among other factors the stigmatization that is rampant among people with mental health conditions. From a recent study on the effect of Smartphone Apps towards improving the mental health outcomes, the results indicate that the sustainability and duration of the impacts are unclear, but many people prefer using the services of the mobile applications while seeking medical interventions (McGrath, 2012). The most common response targets depression as a mental disorder. Through the mobility which is an application that can be downloaded, the app tracks the user's experience to help improve the emotional awareness which can, in turn, assist in minimizing the symptoms (David, Kazantzis, Rickwood, & Rickard, 2016). Through the mobility, the patients get to learn about emotional self-awareness by reporting their moods, stressful events, responses to the happenings, current activities, location and the eating habits on a regular basis.
Besides the Mobiletype, there is also the Mobilyze which works by recording the features that are contextual like location, ambient light, accelerometer data, and the recent calls and then matches the information with the self-reported user information like mood and social interactions. Upon receiving such information, the app can learn the user's patterns and determine the need for help. Through the study by Wilmer, Sherman, & Chein (2017) which aimed at examining the efficacy of the application, the results indicated that participants in the study had fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, the study lacked a control group that could have otherwise indicated what could happen in the absence of the mobile application. Furthermore, the sample size used in the study was small hence generalizing could not be very easy. The final limitation of the research was that the application was not used as the only measure towards handling the problems thus the positive consequences could not be attributed to the app alone (Wilmer, Sherman, & Chein, 2017).
The other studies have been done on the application of the smartphone apps towards promoting the physical and social relationships. According to Geser (2004), mobile media has proven to be double sided in the sense that it can encourage social connections while at the same time threatening the same. Other studies have also shown that mobile technologies have got the potential of impairing the bonding processes (McGrath, 2012). Simple reminders of smartphones may reduce empathy and reduce people’s commitments towards helping others. On the other hand, it is evident that mobile phones make people feel more connected to others that they feel important in their lives, even if there is a physical distance between them. Most research on the relationship between the smartphones and social connection shows a positive trend; with another study indicating that cellphones can be applied as a stronger psychosocial tool to make the physical bond between various people stronger.
It is a typical experience and observation that parenting turned out to be one of the most stressful and cumbersome jobs in the world, especially for the first-time parents. However, technology through the availability of the smartphones has made things easier by coming up with the apps that can support parents in childrearing. One of the apps that has been assumed to be very efficient due to the rigorous scientific investment it was given during its development was the Estrellita app. The application helps the parents to record the data and milestones of their children. Despite the scientific approach given to the app at the development stage, no articles have been published to support its efficacy. The other program is the text4baby which work by sending messages to mothers who are expectant. The developers of the app believe that by doing so, there would be an increase in the positive behavior among the mothers.
Discussion
The first cellular phone was introduced in 1973 by the Motorola group and weighted about 2 kilograms, and the battery life was less than 20 minutes (Sarwar & Soomro, 2013). Even with those features that may sound undesirable today, only a few individuals could manage to own one. In the contemporary world, almost every person yarns to acquire a phone, which besides being lightweight, is also able to access other apps that can be applied to improve the well being of people in society. The smartphones and their applications are developing at a very high rate both regarding the acquisition and use in the community. In fact, smartphones are becoming a necessity in the world. The cell phones have opened room for wireless technology which promotes life-enhancing services in every part of the world (Wilmer, Sherman, & Chein, 2017).
The psychosocial theories provided a foundation upon which the use of technology could fit in the society. For instance, the arguments predict the effects of environment on the manner of socialization and lifestyle. This idea explains why almost everybody who is born and raised up in the modern society would wish to be in possession of a Smartphone. The technology influences ways of life making use of Smartphones appear as part and parcel of humanity. In fact, the smartphones have made it possible to seek medical education on matters dealing with mental health, while at the same time promoting the physical health by enhancing connectivity, socialization, and communication without the distance of separation acting as a barrier. Indeed, mobile phones are now driving the economies of many countries in the world by making financial transactions extremely easy and efficient.
Conclusion and Recommendation for Further Research
In the words of Steven Spielberg, “ Technology can be the best friend or the worst enemy in our lives.” It is apparently true that technology has given birth to the smartphones that continue to change people’s mental and physical lives. However, other studies have also indicated that the many apps that Smartphone can accommodate can have a negative impact on people’s lives, especially the youths. Some of the apps like social media are incredibly addictive and can end up promoting individualism and lack of a sense of empathy. The cell phones have become part and parcel of humanity; however, the real picture of the effects on people's health is still under investigation and testing. The risks that accompany the use of mobile phones are emotional, physical and psychological.
Studies indicate that use of mobile interventions in medical sector improves social relationships (Sarwar & Soomro, 2013). However, the sample sizes used and the application of the non-randomized trials in the studies put the outcomes in doubt. Therefore there is need to do more research that would explore the applicability of mobile technology towards building stronger relationship skills Despite the fact that the studies concerning mobile interventions in physical health domains are robust, research on the psychosocial outcomes is still coming up. The current studies concentrate more on the mental health outcomes and not the social relationships. Going forward, this is an area that needs further explorations to come up with results which can stand the tests of efficacy and reliability as far as the relationship between technology and the psychosocial domains is concerned.
References
David, B., Kazantzis, N., Rickwood, D., & Rickard, N. (2016). Mental health smartphone apps: review and evidence-based recommendations for future developments. JMIR psychological health, 3 (1).
Geser, H. (2004, March 27). Towards a Sociological Theory of the Mobile Phone. Retrieved November 18, 2017, from Sociology of the Mobile Phone: http://socio.ch/mobile/t_geser1.htm
McGrath, S. (2012, April 19). The Impact of Media Technologies on Social Interactions in the Household. Retrieved November 18, 2017, from National University of Ireland Maynooth: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/assets/document/SiobhanMcGrath.pdf
Sarwar, M., & Soomro, T. R. (2013). Impact of Smartphones on Society. European Journal of Scientific Research, 98 (2), 216-226.
Wilmer, H. H., Sherman, L. E., & Chein, J. M. (2017). Smartphones and Cognition: A Review of Research Exploring the Links between Mobile Technology Habits and Cognitive Functioning. Frontiers in Psychology, 8 (605).
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