I would be willing to bet more that the overwhelming majority of my peers have their cell phones within five feet of them right now, maybe even at all times. A cell phone has become an accessory we are unable to part without. http://
www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/ was able to provide some interesting statistics. Did you know 90% of Americans own a cell phone? 58% of cellphone owners are smartphone owners. “67% of cell owners find themselves checking their phone for messages, alerts, or calls — even when they don’t notice their phone ringing or vibrating” (admit it you’ve all been there) “44% of cell owners have slept with their phone next to their bed because they wanted to make sure they didn’t miss any calls, text messages, or other updates during the night” (been there too!)
It’s amazing just how much we rely on our cell phones nowadays. We use them to call, text, get directions, check the weather, surf the web, take pictures, and so much more. But is this constant cell phone use harmful to our bodies? Studies suggest they might be. The National Cancer Organization has shared some concern with the cell phone epidemic, “Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy, a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, which can be absorbed by tissues closest to where the phone is held,” so this seems to adhere to phone calls. Studies do not show a direct link between cell phone use and cancer, but it hasn’t been ruled out. Cell phones are fairly new within this decade, which suggests there aren’t enough studies out there to prove they are safe. People thought cigarettes were safe at first until decades and decades later when science was able to prove they aren’t.
There are several reasons why cell phone use and cancer risk are inconsistent. The cellphone industry is booming, with a whopping 5 billion users worldwide, which could prevent government from putting in funding to test safety. Secondly, not all people are truthful about their usage hours. Lastly, healthy individuals are more likely to participate in a study than those with brain tumors, making the participation biased.
In conclusion, it’s impossible to say for sure if cellphones truly are dangerous for us. However, it isn’t impossible to say that we still don’t know how these will devices affect us. It seems most proactive to take initiative and reduce cell phone use and especially phone calls. To rest your cell phone on your body while not using it, or to sleep with it near to your head is not only unnecessary but most likely unsafe.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones
http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/
I agree with you Valerie. As I wrote this blog I found myself thinking, “wait I do all these things too!” I am somewhat of a phone addict (okay I’ll admit it I’m obsessed) but they are valid points that we don’t need to put ourselves in any danger that may or not be there.
I’m unsure about government withholding information. It seems plausible though, it would be a tremendous drop in the economy if the 90% of American cellphone users deactivated. It’s also interesting because sometimes I think if no one had phones, would anyone want phones? We want them to communicate with others but if no one had them…could be interesting.
Your dad might be right on some accord Einstein did say technology would someday outgrow us and make us idiots…or something alone those lines. It’s definitely affected our culture in negative ways among the many positives.
This issue has been at the center of a family feud for a very long time. My father is so against cell phones and technology because he says that A; it gives you cancer B; reduces your social skills C; causes you to miss out on opportunities in our day to day lives, D; he claims it gives you carpeltunnel and D; he doesn’t know how to use it so it makes him mad when everyone else is on their phones and he is just stitting there lal awkward and what not. So i plan on never showing him this blog. However, it did make me realize things that I do that are extremely unnecessary. I will stop sleeping with it next to my head, stop laying it on my body, and having hour long conversations on the phone.
However, it aggravates me that the government (if this is true) would refrain from conducting studies that could potentially tell whether or not there are long term effects of cell phone use. I would like to know this. Just like other things that they hide from the public for the sake of money (cure to cancer, cure for aids, any many other things that are rumored o be out there just not available for production).