Technology had greatly advanced from the time where cell phones were brick-like devices only capable of calling other phones. The sheer power of the microprocessors in modern smartphones is millions of times more powerful than the computers NASA used in the Apollo missions, from 1969. Now, in addition to calling, the small devices we carry in our pockets are capable of web browsing, photography, texting, and much more. What’s even more impressive is how accessible these devices are; 95% of the US population has a cellphone, and I am sure that if we specifically examined our local college campus it would be an even larger percentage. Due to the fact that cell phones are so prevalent, they can be examined as a feature of civic life.

One way cell phones frame the civic life is through being the standard form of communication between members of our society. It is extremely common for two people who meet each other to exchange phone numbers or a social media app like SnapChat to talk to each other at a later date. Even in the professional field, like within business, cell phones are still used to send information, whether it be through calling or emails. Through framing the methods in which we communicate with each other, cell phones are an integral part of civic life.

In addition, cell phones also take up a large portion of our time. Throughout the day, people routinely check their phones for updates or to assist with a task. When working, we rely on our phones for navigation, researching on the web, and of course communication. Even in terms of free time, we spend hours each day using social media, browsing videos, listening to music, or any of the other features available on our devices. This emphasizes how phones are civic because people use them to help complete their tasks, as well as to help entertain themselves in their free time, which increases the normalcy of cell phones in daily life.

By looking at cell phones from the angle of companies, we can further see how it emphasizes civic ideology. There is often lots of data collected on the habits of individuals on their phones, such as browsing history and commonly used applications. Large companies invest their resources to use this data to target advertisements to specific individuals who are most likely to purchase products based on their habits. Companies willing to invest in potential greater sales based off of cell phone data accurate enough to predict future habits of individuals further supports the civic extent of cell phones, as they induce an accurate model for repeated behavior in our lives.

Despite their small size, cell phones have a large impact on many aspects of our lives. They define our communication, habits, and predicted behavior, making them a key part of daily life. Through the knowledge of the cell phone as a civic artifact, we can take advantage of the technology by using it in even more productive ways. For example, we can use the device to try and communicate with more people, to learn about ways to be more active in society or to spread civic ideas to a greater platform. In what ways will you try to use your cell phone to make an impact on your society? Thank you.