The majority of the innovations across the human history have been constrained by the functions they performed. However, the smartphone exceeds these limitations. It has become more than just a gadget but also a companion. This essay will argue that the comprehensive adoption of smartphones by most people is a cause for concern. It will discuss the negative effects of excessive smartphone use on the body, such as its physical and psychological effects that outweighs its benefits. Firstly, the psychological effects of smartphones will be discussed followed by further information about the consequences that individuals may already experience and finally, the physical effects of smartphones on the body.
Despite having smartphones as a fundamental means of communication, potential addiction to technology is a cause for concern. People who are addicted to smartphones are already suffering from its consequences. According to the data gathered from a sample of 414 university students using an online survey in Mainland China, there were five symptoms identified that are associated with smartphone addiction. These symptoms include: “disregard of harmful consequences, preoccupation, inability to control craving, productivity loss, and feeling anxious and lost” (Leung, & Bian, 2015). However, some people use their smartphone as an outlet for leisure and relaxation. Such positive engagement of smartphone use could provide users a way to de-stress, which regulates negative emotions (Leung, as sited in Hughes, & Burke, 2018). Even so, excessive smartphone use could actually affect one’s mental health. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that people, who are constantly active on social media, are prone to depression (McCarthy, Bauer, Sood, Limburg, Goodin, & Malleret, 2018). Smartphones are an essential tool to communicate with others. While it is a way to interact and share with people, it could also affect an individual’s mental health if engaged in a negative way.
Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
- Proper editing and formatting
- Free revision, title page, and bibliography
- Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
Addiction to smartphone not only induces negative emotions, it also affects the critical thinking and behavior of an individual. Another research that excessive use of a smartphone can could gravely affect a person’s attention span, making it harder to focus on a singular task (Ward, Duke, Gneezy, & Bos, 2017). It limits comprehensive thinking during actions that need optimal attention such as driving or walking on the roadside.
Finally, prolonged smartphone use could also negatively impact the overall physical performance of the body in various forms such as impairing vision and denatures bone structure. One of the recognizable effects that occur in the body for individuals who spend hours using a smartphone is the change in their posture. Majority of the smartphone users put stress in their spine unknowingly. Staring sharply downwards is one of the common postures required while using a smartphone. This stresses the neck muscles and the spine (Park, Kim, Kim, Kim, Kim, Choi, Lee, & Yim, 2015). Another physical effects that an individual may experience is impaired vision. The amount of screen time exposure, not only affects the eyesight, but also affects the sleeping pattern and unconscious activity of a person due to the exposure of blue light emitted from the screen. As research shows, 46% of Australians still use their phone before going to sleep (Drum, White, Swiegers, & Davey, 2017). Users may already experience the symptoms of excessive smartphone use which should be given concern to, to prevent long term physical health issues.
In conclusion, this essay argued, that the excessive usage of smartphone affects the body negatively, this in turn, should be a cause for concern. The negative influences of a smartphone overshadow its benefits. Excessive smartphone exposure affects the body both physical and psychological. These effects range from impaired eyesight to experiencing anxiousness. Furthermore, it is a fact that smartphones are revolutionary but individuals should be educated on these effects to prevent further damage to their body.
Stuck on your essay?
