Everyone has, probably,
seen someone with a cell phone. Do any of these scenarios sound familiar: “Business
professional who appears to be talking to themselves in the middle of a crowded
room; the car driver talking on a cell phone while attempting to turn a corner;
people walking across a busy street with their heads down, rapidly pushing the
keys on a smart phone” (Simpson, 2010, p 81). Technology today, allows people
to communicate more frequently and with greater ease then in the past. It
appears that, “The advancement of communications and online technologies is so
rapid that the social conventions in their appropriate or inappropriate use
have not always had time to develop before problems have arisen” (Simpson,
2010, p 82). However, there are dangers to “using a mobile phone when driving, among
other things, disturbs driving through a diminished field of attention, longer
detection times to, e.g., changes in dynamic traffic conditions, longer braking
reaction-times to brake lights of preceding vehicles and greater lateral
deviations on the road” (Svenson, 2005, p.14). As with anything, there are pros
and cons, so what are the consequences to poor cell phone etiquette?
In order, for people to understand
poor cell phone etiquette they need to understand a few terms. A cell phone is:
“A mobile phone or mobile (also called cell phone and handphone) is an
electronic device used for mobile telecommunications (mobile telephony, text
messaging or data transmission) over a cellular network of specialized base
stations known as cell sites,” (Cell Phone, 2003). So, what does “Etiquette”
mean? It is “a code that governs the expectations of social behavior” Examples
of modern day etiquette are:
“Modern etiquette
codifies social interactions with others, such as: Greeting relatives, friends
and acquaintances with warmth and respect, Refraining from insults and prying
curiosity, Offering hospitality to
guests, Wearing clothing
suited to the occasion, Contributing to conversations without dominating them,
Offering assistance to those in need, Eating neatly and quietly, Avoiding
disturbing others with unnecessary noise, Following established rules of an
organization upon becoming a member, Arriving promptly when expected,
Comforting the bereaved, Responding to invitations promptly, Accepting gifts or
favors with humility and to acknowledge them promptly with thanks (e.g. a
thank-you card)” (Etiquette, 2003).
Of course, it is important to be safe when using any
type of technology device; “Courtesy in the use of technology should also take
into consideration whether or not your use is distracting or embarrassing
others;” (Simpson, 2010, p. 86) therefore, “using one hand to hold a cell phone
while driving a moving vehicle is not a safe practice (Simpson, 2010, p. 82).
Cell phones not only allow people to call one another, but it is also a way for
user’s to surf the web, read e-mails, and find information. Due to the many
uses of a cell phone the line to what is social acceptable and unacceptable is
blurred.
This leads to the next point: What behaviors are not
appropriate or out of line? There are
many things that each one of us does to keep on task, or keep us busy, and
these behaviors are acceptable as long as they are not bothering the people
around us. “ What is annoying is the common practice of answering a cell phone
call during a meeting or social gathering rather than silencing the phone before
it starts” (Simpson, 2010, p. 89). So, simply put: Shut off a cell phone prior
to entering into a meeting, convention, restaurant, theatre, and so on so
forth. Many students find it necessary to speak on their cell phone, or text,
while in school. This has many school boards and educators concerned. Due to
these concerns, some school’s have policy’s on cell phone use. Different
teachers, instructors, might have different rules, so it is important to find
out what they are if you are a student.
There is no doubt that inequality exists.
There is also no doubt that groups and individuals advance their own interests;
this can be seen by the struggle over control of societal resources. It can
also be seen through the role of coercion: those who choose to talk and or text
because everyone else is doing it. This is a form of peer pressure. Powerful
people exploit the idea of peer pressure by designing ads to justify why
everyone should have a cell phone. This increases demand, and increases the
company’s profit. This increases the cycle of power, money, and capitalism that
influence control over the little people in society.
Cell phones are
just starting to see social order in society; partly due to the negative impact
of cell phones. Cell phones are a distraction to drivers and have increased the
number of accidents; in turn, they have caused disorganization among society.
Due to this federal laws are being considered, to control the use of cell
phones (and texting) while driving. Cell phones started off with a “hands-off
approach or laissez-faire” this means that they “assumed that the current
arrangement in society were natural and inevitable” (Andersen, 2009, p 14). If
an individual has a cell phone great, and if not that is okay, because it is
survival of the fittest in our society. It is not hard to understand the
reasons why cell phones have become popular: it is due to the social
interaction that is seen in society. People behave on what they believe, not on
what is objectively true; therefore, cell phones are viewed as a priority
despite what is going on around the individual. “People interpret one another’s
behavior and it is these interpretations that form the social bond” an example
of this is: just as cigarettes were once considered “cool” despite the negative
medical consequences; cell phones are the new in for not only teenagers, but
for all people (p16-17). Hence, ignoring the thoughts and feelings of those
around an individual with a cell phone is a new behavior associated with the
cell phone, and this behavior is tolerated as being acceptable because so many
people do it.
There are eight causes of social change and
technological innovation is one of them. Technological innovation can be the
changes that are currently seen with technology devices; such as, the cell
phone, the home computer, the laptop, and so on so forth. Technology will
continue to expand on the creations of today; to create a better tomorrow. With
the new technological advances there will come new concerns and problems. There
is no doubt that laws will be passed to limit the dangers that technology will
have on others. The problem is that it takes time to see where the dangers lie,
and to create laws to protect people from technology. No matter what theory a
person believes is right; in regards to cell phones, the fact is using a cell
phone while driving is dangerous. So, as with anything, there are pros and
cons. Perhaps, we can take into consideration the overall effect our behavior
will have on another individual prior to doing it, and that way we will be
using positive cell phone etiquette.
References
Andersen,
M.L. & Taylor, H.F. (2009). Sociology: The Essentials (5th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadswoth
Cell
phone. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,
Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved March 23 2010 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cell+phone
Crapanzano, V. (2001). The Etiquette of
Consciousness. Social Research, 68(3), 627-649. Retrieved from
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