The Impact of Mobile Devices on Communication

1. The Impact of Mobile Devices on Communication Chad Chmura

2. Introduction • Could you manage to make it through a day without your cell phone? If so, could you go a week without it? • The common answer to these questions show how dependent humans have become on their mobile devices. • The communication process has evolved so much because of cell phones that it is difficult to imagine what life would be like without them. 1 of 11

3. Research Questions • How many different methods of mobile communication are there? • How has mobile communication changed how humans interact? • What are the apparent benefits and deficiencies of these forms of communication? • Are there potential health hazards related to the use of mobile devices? 2 of 11

4. Literature Review "Using GPS-Enabled Cell Phones to Track the Travel Patterns of Adolescents." – J. Fortenberry • Describes how GPS tracking was used to study the daily routines of a group of teenagers. • The researchers found the accuracy of the tracking to be surprising. • It is possible for parents to track where their children are, what they are doing, and who they are with. 3 of 11

5. Literature Review "Communication Problems." – Leslie Haddon • In the 1990’s, over 37% of people found phone calls disruptive at some points of every day. • People left the phone off the hook to stop the calls. • In the later 1990’s, caller ID helped determine what calls to answer. • As cell phones grow more popular, so does the “Ignore” button. • Each release of new phone technology gives call receivers more control over their communication. 4 of 11

6. Literature Review “FDA concurs with British finding on lack of cancer link to cell phone use.” • In the initial years of cell phone popularity, studies showed a link between exposure to the small radiofrequency exposure emitted by cell phones and cancer. • The same studies were repeated in 2005, using more modern cell phones, and the same results failed to be replicated. • Modern device technology exposes users to less radiofrequency radiation. 5 of 11

7. Literature Review "Invisible Whispers: Accounts of SMS Communication in Shared Physical Space." – AkselTjora • Researched common uses for texting - includes flirting/dating, warning/assisting friends, coordinating discreetly, asking about other people present, commenting on a situation as it unfolds, avoiding interruption, and making practical jokes. • Gave examples from the study. • Some advantages of texting as opposed to calling: • More convenient • Less disruptive • Faster • Less confrontational 6 of 11

8. Literature Review "Emotional Attachment and Mobile Phones." – Jane Vincent • “We interact with a mobile phone in a way that we do not with other devices. We fondle it, we clutch it in times of crisis, and we know that our loved ones are doing the same.” • Article states that some humans develop an unhealthy attachment to their phone. • Interactions with the opposite sex are the largest cause of attachment. 7 of 11

9. Literature Review "Text Messaging During Simulated Driving" - Joel Cooper • Conducted a study using a driving simulator to compare driving ability with and without texting. • Results of the study: • 0.3 second delay in braking reaction time • 3 meter decrease in following distance • 600% increase in accident rate 8 of 11

10. Discussion • Further benefits of text messaging • Delayed response time is more acceptable • More time to think of a ‘tactful’ response • Further benefits of GPS tracking • Police can monitor traffic flow • If phone is left in a stolen car or handbag, it can be traced. • Possible to track a crime suspect and prove they were at the crime scene. • Also able to track proximity of sex offenders to schools/playgrounds 9 of 11

11. Conclusion • The telephone is still rapidly developing • Humans will adapt their communication process to any new phone technologies in the future • Dependencies on mobile communications make it difficult to imagine life without a cell phone. • Cell phones have undoubtedly effected the communication of most people 10 of 11

12. Questions? 11 of 11

13. References • Cooper, Joel M., et al. "Text messaging during simulated driving." Human Factors 51.5 (2009): 762+. Academic OneFile. Web. 24 Oct. 2011 • Fortenberry, J. Dennis. "Using GPS-enabled cell phones to track the travel patterns of adolescents." International Journal of Health Geographics 7.(2008): 1-11. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 3 Oct. 2011. • Haddon, Leslie. "Communication Problems." Knowledge, Technology & Policy 19.1 (2006): 19-27. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. • Tjora, Aksel H. "Invisible Whispers: Accounts of SMS Communication in Shared Physical Space." Convergence: The Journal of Research into New Media Technologies 17.2 (2011): 193-211. Communication & Mass Media Complete. EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. • Vincent, Jane. "Emotional Attachment and Mobile Phones." Knowledge, Technology & Policy 19.1 (2006): 39-44. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2011 • "FDA concurs with British finding on lack of cancer link to cell phone use." Journal of Clinical Engineering Apr.-June 2005: 66. Academic OneFile. Web. 24 Oct. 2011.