Introduction
Presently, mobile phones are a popular
tool for everyone in the society. They are common facilities for all ages and
many people from different parts of the globe including children are using
mobile phones. People use mobile phones to communicate with two or more people
everywhere and every time. Most people are buying this gadget because of the
benefits that it offers even without looking at the possible disadvantages and
risks that come with the device. It is evident that mobile phones are changing
the world and mostly the way people are communicating.
Using mobile today is
popular for all ages, and there are many arguments in support and against the
use of mobile phones. In this essay, I support the claim that mobile phones are
good; however, I will also present counter arguments against the use of mobile
phones.
Health
The argument against the use of mobile
phones focuses on the risk imposed on users. Opponents claim that the regular
use of mobile phones can increase the susceptibility to brain cancer or brain
tumor. Dr. Christopher Newman, a Maryland neurologist, filed an $800 million
lawsuit against Verizon Communications Corp, Motorola Inc, Bell Atlantic Mobile
Systems, Bell Atlantic Corp, and Southwestern Bell Mobile System. He claimed
that radiation from his mobile phone handled his malignant brain tumor
(DiSabatino, 2000). The case dismissed because to lack of evidence; however,
people claim that just two minutes of exposure to the emission of mobile phones
can disable a safety barrier in the blood. Thus, it will cause proteins and
toxins to leak into the brain and increase the chances of developing
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and also brain tumor.
Environment
Another counterargument against the use
of mobile phone regards the environmental threat. With the increasing new
mobile phones in the market, the discarded old handset can poison the
environment. Opponents of mobile phones claim that the mechanism for disposing
of the cell phones and its components are a threat to the environment.
According to global consultancy Deloitte, there is a growing need for better
managing the rising mobile phone waste because it is posing a threat to the
environment. Gowd et al. (2013) argues that mobile phone connectivity in the
society tends to alter the landscape of human beings in different beneficial
ways. However, it creates the environmental exposure to invisible,
Electromagnetic fields.
Accidents
Opponents of the use of cell phones
claim that cell phones tend to cause more accidents that drunks. In support of
this claim, opponents quote the National Safety Council annual, injury and
fatality report that found that cell phones cause about 26 % of nation’s car
accidents (Kratsas, 2014). From this
number, only 5% of cell phone related car crashed occur because the driver is
texting. The larger percentage of the accident involves drivers distracted
while they are talking on handheld or hands-free cell phones.
Radiofrequency
With the increase of the mobile phone
use, some people are considering not using the technology because they emit
radiofrequency radiation. Research shows that radiofrequency radiation tends to
damage the DNA. A peer review journal of Neuro-Oncology did test the effects of
cell phone radiofrequency radiation on brain cells of mice (Cogulu, et al.
2012). The study concluded that radiation can damage the DNA and also change
then gene expression in brain cells. Thus, opponents are using the study
findings in arguing against the use of cell-phones.
Argument in support
I consider mobile phones as being very
important in our daily lives. Opponents against cell phone claim that they
cause radiation. However, the radiofrequency radiation from a mobile phone is
non-ionizing, and it is not powerful to cause cancer. The ionizing radiation
tends to produce molecules referred to as ions, and they either have too many
or few electrons. Ions normally damage the DNA or cause cancer. However, the mobile
phone radiation is non-ionizing, and it lacks enough energy to remove or add
electrons from molecules. Hence, it cannot ionize and cause cancer.
The use of the mobile phone when driving
is not very unsafe. Most activities that tend to distract drivers are more
dangerous than talking on the phone (Iliaifar, 2013). Research indicates that
cell phone use is less than 1% of accidents. Adjusting the CD player or radio,
drinking, eating, and talking to passengers when driving, handles more
accidents than when using a mobile phone.
I support the use of mobile phones
because it usually increases personal safety and mostly during emergency
situations. The Wireless Association states that more than 400,000 wireless 911
calls made daily. The benefit achieved with the use of mobile phones while
emergency situations tend to be undisputed.
Conclusion
In the 21st century world that we live,
there are numerous advancements aimed at helping us in our daily life. One of
the things is the mobile phone as everywhere one looks, there is a mobile
phone. I support the use of cell phones because of the convenience they offer
and also very helpful during the time of emergency.
Reference
DiSabatino,
J (2000). Brain cancer victim sues the cell-phone providers for $800 million.
Iliaifar,
A (2013). Hold the phone! New study says
that talking and driving not as dangerous as we think.
Jauhari,
S Gupta, R & Gowd, P (2013). Determination of invisible environment
pollution due to cell phones EMF radiation and projections for 2030 Current World Environ 8 (2).
Karaca,
E Durmaz, B Irgi, M & Cogulu, O (2012). The genotoxic effect of the
radiofrequency waves on mouse brain Journal
of Neuro-oncology 106 (1).
Kratsas,
G (2014). Cell phone use causes over 1 in
4 car accidents USA Today.
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