Surname 1

Student’s Name:

Course:

Instructor:

Date:

Have Cell Phones changed us socially?

Introduction

The discovery and evolution of the cell phone is one of the most interesting

scientific innovations around the globe. Gradual change of technology from simple to

high-tech communication gadgets over the past two decades has completely altered the

initial role of the cell phone. The first idea was to create a voice communication gadget

to ease communication between people at far distances. However, inconceivable

developments in cell phone electronics and software engineering has tremendously

evolved its use from making simple voice calls and text messaging to mind-boggling

services such as instant and email messaging, internet serving, listening to music,

playing games, stock taking, mobile banking and money transfer, remote control, car

tracking, health determination, videography and photographing, among other services.

The modern-day cell phone presents an all-round purpose gadget, able to perform a

broad range of tasks. The versatility of the cell phone has equally had influence on the

way we interact with each other these days. Nevertheless, its use has created both

positive and negative impacts on our lives, though its advantages overshadow the

disadvantages in many undisputable ways. This paper reviews how cell phones have

changed our lives socially, using the structural functional theory.

Structural Functional Theory

 Surname 2

Structural functional theory is a sociological concept based on a functionalist

point of view. Advanced by Emile Durkheim (1858-1917), perhaps, this approach forms

the basis of other sociological perspectives. This theory explains the interdependence

between the elements of a society and how social structures work together

harmoniously to create a self-balanced and self-sustaining society (Davis 1959).

According to Cuff, Sharrock and Francis; the structural functional theory enlightens

people on how social institutions play an interactive role in order to create a well-

balanced society (2008). This theory is important because it shows how cell phones

have influenced the society, both positively and negatively, and yet people cannot afford

to keep them aside. The harms and benefits balance in such a manner that creates

socially stable communities where communication takes place in the fraction a second

without involving much logistics in the process.

Impacts of Cell Phones on Social Life

Cell phones are very essential communication tools in the twenty-first century,

yet they have greatly changed our social lives. They enable us reach anyone, in any

local or global geographic location, by use of sophisticated wireless. Every generation of

the versatile gadgets leads to more foreseen benefits, which trigger enormous

developments in the area of communication (Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008). From

modest to sophisticated technology, modern cell phones have performed a number of

computer functions. Technologists argue that cell phones will soon replace the use of

computers and related devices, due to their versatile nature (Banjo, Hu and Sundar

2008). However, cell phones have immensely influenced the way we socialize with each

other. People hardly use old means of communication such as letter writing, posting and
 Surname 3

faxing, among others. Nevertheless, functionalism holds that the use of the cell phone

has created an equilibrium society through the interaction its good and bad aspects

(Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008; Smith 2012).

Accessibility

The structural functional approach tries to explain how cell phones have

influenced the interaction of people and assets around the globe. Accessibility is

probably the principal advantage of the cell phone. Use of cell phones has eased the

way we reach other people, both locally and internationally, in a number of ways (Addo

2013). We do not have to travel for long distances in order to communicate with other

people. Cell phones have increased real-time availability of people substantially. The

world has developed into a ‘small village’ where we can socialize online, send email and

text messages, make phone calls, transfer money through online banking systems, and

remotely monitor businesses and the behavior of other people. With modern day cell

phone technology, it is needless to move from one place to another to do something

that someone else in that place could have done with the same efficiency and

expectations. A single phone call is enough to enable a person issue pieces of

instructions from his or her location (Addo 2013). In addition, people can actually

participate in debates, competitions, conferences and other social functions without

physical attendance. Cellular technology and the development of multipurpose gadgets

with inbuilt cameras and sound receivers can place different individuals on the same

platform and initiate a conversation between them, without physical interaction.

Impact on Social Relationships

 Surname 4

The structural functional theory also helps people to evaluate the use of cell

phones and determine its impact on social relationships. The basic intended purpose for

acquiring a cell phone is communication. As the mobile industry expands its production

of more and more sophisticated cell phones, so is the increase of its customers and

thirst for improved cell phones for tech-savvy users. Dynamism of technology has

diversified the use of the cell phone and communication just makes a part of its major

functions. The gadget helps people build interpersonal relationships, acquire real-time

information and keep in touch with their friends, loved ones, business partners or

colleagues at work (Addo 2013). A survey conducted to examine why people attach so

much meaning to cell phones revealed that convenience is a major factor towards the

purchase of a cell phone. People make calls and talks when they wish to, respond to

urgent matters because communication takes place much easier, and read news and

other information on the internet without necessarily purchasing a newspaper or

magazine (Smith 2012). Smith further reveals that nine percent of the respondents said

to have purchased cell phones because they could handle internet and email apps

without necessarily having to own a personal computer or attend to a cyber café,

whereas eight percent acquired cell phones to enhance communication with family

members (2012). Fifteen-percent of the women interviewed said that the cell phone

assures them security in case of an emergency. This advantage not only applies to

women, but also to men, children and the larger society as well. Parents feel more

secure knowing that their child can alert them or call the police via 911 in case of an

emergency (Smith 2012). Cell phones have helped people enhance their relationships

with friends both physically through phone call appointments and virtually through social
 Surname 5

networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. Presently, many people arrange meetings and

events through phone calls and text messages (Smith 2012). In this context, according

to the structural functional theory, the cell phone does not interfere with the social

setting, but instead enhances the way people interact with each other saving time and

costs of travelling from one place to another (Smith 2012).

However, every credit comes with a discredit. Cell phones also have negative

influence on social relationships amongst teenagers, lovers, families or even friends.

Use of cell phones has nearly replaced face-to-face communication (Addo 2013). Many

people nowadays prefer sending text and chat messages through their cell phone

applications. This trend in the use of mobile phones encourages distant relationships,

which do not favor love and family relationships. It is an obvious assumption that the

phone does everything, providing convenience where necessary be it conversing

wirelessly over long distances or even sending money through wireless money transfer

services. As a result, parents hardly have time for their children. This situation forces

them to hire caretakers, who in most cases never have control of the children. Most of

these children grow up to be half-baked adults due to poor parenthood (Addo 2013;

Smith 2012). Nevertheless, the sociological functionalism approach holds that the

society is composed of structures and elements that are self-balancing (Davis 1959).

Cell Phone Etiquette

Structural functionalism also helps us to study the development of addictive

behavior associated with the use of cell phones and the ways in which the society,

knowingly or unknowingly, copes with such behavior. Cell phones have completely

become part of the lives of many people (Smith 2012). An American survey suggested
 Surname 6

that many cell phone users live in paranoia of missing a call, an email or a text

message. As a result, they tap their phones regularly to check for text messages or

missed calls, when in real sense nobody has called or texted their cell phones!

Research also reveals that idle individuals, consciously or unconsciously, tend to use

scroll of their phones, even when they are not doing anything significant (Smith 2012;

Addo 2013; Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008). In addition, many cell phone users have the

tendency of spending too much time on their phones (Smith 2012; Addo 2013). In the

aforementioned survey, most youth admitted that they actually spend a lot of time

sending text messages, either chatting on social sites or browsing the internet (Smith

2012; Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008). Addo notes that children extent this habit to dinning

and sitting rooms, even in the presence of their parents (2013). Further research

reveals that many youths and middle-aged people attach more sense of symbolism to

their cell phones than to any other electronic around their localities (Addo 2013).

According to Smith, children are more likely use cell phones for considerably longer

hours as compared to their parents (2012).

Students, including teens and youths, have a tendency of using slang language

or shortened abbreviations amongst themselves. The use of acronyms in text

messaging has significant effects on spoken language. In most cases, incorporation of

such acronyms in spoken language gradually changes the language to colloquial

speech, which is not acceptable in official or academic situations (Smith 2012). Long-

term use of slang impairs good communication with interviewers and may lead a

potential candidate to lose a foreseen job in an interview (Addo 2013). Interpersonal

communication with adults becomes a problem for the youths, as they only prefer
 Surname 7

sending text messages. An Australian University survey on the usage of mobile phones

by students revealed that cellphone addicts could send over hundred text messages

while normal users could send between forty and fifty text messages daily (Smith 2012).

Cheating on cell phones is another issue of concern amongst users. Most cell

phone users, especially the youths, have a habit of telling lies over the phone through

calls or text messages (Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008). Obvious lies entail predictable

phrases such as, ‘my battery went low’, ‘I was out of network’, and ‘I wasn’t at the

proximity of my phone’, among others. Petty users will shamelessly terminate hang you

on the call, terminate the call without purporting reason and to the extreme, a

mischievous users may decide to switch off their cell phones or put your line on the

blacklist (Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008). Generally, these tendencies have negative

impacts on social life particularly when they target parent-child – and private

relationships. Cheating also creates a potential source of stress amongst to many cell

phone users and is socially unacceptable.

In a functionalist perspective, the etiquette of using a mobile phone does not

really matter; whatever manner in which the phone is used remains functional and

relevant in creation of a self-sustaining society. The fact that youths use abbreviated

language provides even a faster way of communicating with each other. However, this is

only applicable amongst peer groups who are able to interpret their acronyms.

Spending too much time on the cell phone is haunting practically, however, theoretically

it plays an exclusively complex role in creating a balance between the social institutions

(Davis 1959).

Cell Phone Crime

 Surname 8

Cell phone crime is a growing topic of interest across the continents. Swindling,

fraud, and cybercrime constitute the most common cell phone crimes led by thirst for

quick money (Longe et al. 2009). Tech-savvy criminals defraud individuals and

companies to make huge money transfers to anonymous bank accounts. Being aware

of the risks involved in this kind of crime, fraudsters use both old-technology cell phones

together with modern-day smartphones to seek anonymity (Longe et al. 2009).

Unlimited access to internet connections through mobile subscriber companies

facilitates their fraudulent business. In addition to swindling, fraud and cybercrime, other

crimes include access to pornographic material, prostitution, human and child trafficking

(Longe et al. 2009). Cell phone users are able to access pornographic URLs, read

and/or view sexual films (Smith 2012; Longe et al. 2009). Pornographic materials are

socially unacceptable because they lead individuals to emotional distress and hunger

for sex. This habit is not only harmful to teenagers but also to married men and women.

Cell phone crimes depict a morally decaying society and their negatives have far-

reaching effects transferred from one generation to the next (Longe et al. 2009).

Propagation of prostitution is a common practice with the use of modern cell phones.

Prostitutes access the internet through their mobile devices and send hundreds of fraud

messages to people, locally and internationally. With growing social sites’ population,

most prostitutes have many contacts at their disposal (Longe et al. 2009). However, cell

phone crime is equally important in a functionalist sociological perspective. Cell phone

crime remains useful as far as the interaction of social institutions is concerned. For

instance, cybercrime and human trafficking has prompted governments to research and
 Surname 9

find suitable means of protecting their people from exploitation by cell phone criminals

(Longe et al. 2009; Davis 1959)

Limited Cognitive Function

The functionalist sociological perspective enables us to explain how exposure to

mobile phone has led to limited cognitive functioning, and the role in which social

institutions play in effecting the ill-use of such high-tech gadgets. Performance,

attendance and abilities of a person go hand in hand with concentration. However,

studies have indicated that many individuals exhibit unethical behaviors due to addiction

to cell phones (Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008). For instance, it is a common tendency of

cell phone users to send text messages or make phone calls while driving. This

tendency is an evident cause of many accidents around the globe (Smith 2012). A

survey explicitly conducted to investigate the impact of mobile phone usage on drivers

revealed that many drivers exhibit less control of their cars while making calls or

sending text messages (Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008; Smith 2012). According to Banjo,

Hu and Sundar, majority of drivers do not strictly manage their vehicles on track while

making phone calls, sending text messages or serving the internet using their mobile

phones (2008). Cellphone use behind the steering wheel leads to multitasking, and

thereby loss of full concentration of the vehicle leading to a high likelihood of swerving

off the road, decelerating on accelerating lanes or crossing lanes unintentionally.

Nevertheless, functionalists purport that this kind of recklessness while driving helps the

government to reinforce traffic rules through establishing ways of punishing defiant

drivers (Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008; Davis 1959 and Addo 2013). Cyclists and

pedestrians who cross the roads while attending to their cell phones have also caused
 Surname 10

accidents (Addo 2013). Establishment of traffic rules reassures safety of pedestrians,

cyclists, passengers and drivers as well, thus creating a balance between phone usage

and the occurrence of road accidents.

Another problem associated with cell phones is disruption of listening and

cognitive abilities. This problem is common with university students particularly noted

during lecture lessons. Students have a common behavior of tapping their phones,

filming or taking photographs in the course of a lesson (Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008).

Particularly, students are fond of browsing on social networks such as FaceBook,

Twitter, MySpace, Google Talk, among other social networks to post messages or check

on messages left on their walls by their friends. This behavior disrupts their attention to

the lecturer and consequently affects the students’ cognitive abilities (Smith 2012).

Eventually, such lecture room manners directly or indirectly affects the students’ overall

performance. A lot of classroom work remains undone leading to wastage of time

seeking notes from other students. In some cases, such disruptive behavior forces

lecturers to chase away or suspend students from attending further classes due to

distraction of their own attention and attention of other students. Other influential

attitudes may include cheating on examinations through browsing online sources to

check for information (Smith 2012). Examinees who have cheating tendencies often

tense because they develop paranoia of having an encounter with the supervisor; a

situation that at times leads to exam cancellation, suspension or expulsion from the

college. According to the structural functionalist theory, these situations initiate the

establishment of rules within the school set up to control student behavior within the

social institution (Davis 1959; Banjo, Hu and Sundar 2008).

 Surname 11

Conclusion

Structural functionalism is an ambiguous sociological perspective that ironically,

by admitting the negative effects, helps us appreciate the importance of adopting cell

phones without embracing much criticism. The influence of cell phone technology is

practically enormous in a society that has embraced virtual communication. Increase in

cell phone production and apparent increasing number of users marks further social

influence. Owing to the ever innovative and dynamic communication industry, future

effects of cell phones on the society and the role of functionalist theory to strike a

balance between the behavior of human beings and social structures remains unknown.
 Surname 12

Works Cited

Addo, Augustine. 2013. “The adoption of mobile phone: How has it changed us

socially?” Issues in Business Management and Economics 1(3): 47-60

(http://www.journalissues.org/journals-home.php?id=2)

Banjo, Omotayo, Hu Yifeng and Sundar S. Shyam. 2008. Cell Phone Usage and Social

Interaction with Proximate Others: Ringing in a Theoretical Model. The Open

Communication Journal, 2008, 2, 127-135

Davis, Kingsley. 1959. American Sociological Review: The Myth of Functional Analysis

as a Special Method in Sociology and Anthropology. Berkeley: University of

California Press.

Longe, Olumide, Ngwa, Oneurine, Wada, Friday and Mbarika Victor. 2009. Criminal

Uses of Information & Communication Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa:

Trends, Concerns and Perspectives. Journal of Information Technology Impact

9(3): 155-172

Smith, Aaron. 2012. “The Best (and Worst) of Mobile Connectivity: The Impact of Mobile

Phones on People’s Lives.” Retrieved April 26, 2014

(http://www.pewinternet.org/2012/11/30/part-iii-the-impact-of-mobile-phones-on-

peoples-lives/)