Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

Trending Social and Behavioral Risks

The Smartphone Epidemic

Troy M. Curtin

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

Professor Billings
ITM 309-05
15 April 2016

Introduction
Smartphones provide their users with many benefits in the areas of education,
productivity, and social engagement. More specifically they:

keep us better organized

add flexibility to our working

put information at our fingertips

always keep us in touch

allow for better information sharing

provide greater functionality

drive faster communication

Its hard, if not impossible, to think of my life without one. It is with me at all times
and in constant use for one purpose or another. However, despite the benefits theyve
become an addiction of sorts for many users, particularly of generation Z, and lead to
misuse and accompanying pitfalls. The use of the ever evolving smartphone technology is
shaping a culture and not in a purely positive way. The addiction and dangers, sometimes
fatal, that comes with overuse is something that needs to be more effectively addressed.

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

There are no easy solutions to texting and driving, sharing inappropriate information or
photos, inability to communicate in person or over the phone are just a few of so many bi
products resulting from this epidemic.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the negatives associated with the
handheld epidemic and propose a number of possible solutions to diminish the associated
risks and create better and healthier overall use to that we as a society can maximize their
most functional purpose and use without such a reliance on digital technology.

The Epidemic

The Merriam-Websters dictionary defines the word Epidemic as:

1. affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a

population, community, or region at the same time

2. a: excessively prevalent
b: contagious
3. characterized by very widespread growth or extent : of, relating to, or constituting an
epidemic

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

Before considering this subject I wouldnt have applied the word epidemic. I have
always associated the word epidemic to something of large scale and carrying disease like
Measles, Smallpox, Measles, SARS or Avian Flu. But as I read the formal definition I
agree that smartphone penetration and dependency is in fact an epidemic.

Following are a few graphs that best illustrate my point:

Graph #1 shows penetration in 8 major countries for 2014 and 2015 projected and
material growth over the single year.

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

Graph #2 shows worldwide projections through 2018 along with the decline of simple
mobile phone users

The global growth/spread epidemic is amazing and clearly supports the idea that
humans cannot be without data, information, social networking and a myriad of other
resources at their fingertips.

While this infers that what we all have and use every day which is an evolving
and improving technology, annually if not even faster, there are negatives. These
negatives are changing our culture in many ways for the worse.

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DANGERS - First points of concern are the dangers associated with frequent and
dependent use. Smartphone addictions are quickly and easily formed and the constant use
of these devices, regardless of the users present situation, doesnt reduce or eliminate
their use. Therefore when driving, walking or engaged in other activities where accidents
commonly occur. The use of these devices increases the risk and put the user and others
at risk or injury or harm.
Facts:

In 2013, 3,154 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted
drivers. This represents a 6.7 percent decrease in the number of fatalities recorded
in 2012. Unfortunately, approximately 424,000 people were injured, which is an
increase from the 421,000 people who were injured in 2012.

As of December 2013, 153.3 billion text messages were sent in the US (includes
PR, the Territories, and Guam) every month.

10% of drivers of all ages under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were
reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest
proportion of drivers who were distracted.

Drivers in their 20s make up 27 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes.

At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are
using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that
has held steady since 2010.

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

Engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and

texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices
increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times.

Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When
traveling at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field
blindfolded.

A quarter of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive.
20 percent of teens and 10 percent of parents admit that they have extended,
multi-message text conversations while driving.

From the Department of Transportation: Cell phones are involved in some 1.6
million automobile-related accidents annually which cause some 500,000
injuries and leads to the deaths of some 6,000 each year.

Possible Solution:

Like with GPS technology built into devices, Smartphone

manufacturers have the ability to disable certain function of the phone when it is traveling
at X MPH/KPH or greater. While consumers may not be pleased with this limiting
functionality it will have a materially positive affect on the facts and statistics listed
above.

SOCIAL/COMMUNICATION Because of the reliance on smart phone devices,

personal interaction is most often driven thru the use of digital devices rather than the
more traditional face-to-face or over the phone conversations. This compromises the

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

depth or relationships and leads to miscommunications and misunderstandings. It also has
a negative effect on writing skills. Finally it can lead to bullying, inappropriate messages
and pictures which can live forever.

The Expectations associated with when to text, when not to text and the stress
caused by the giving and receiving of these messages can negatively affect the health and
well-being of frequent text messengers.

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Some believe that texting makes social stress situations even more stressful. It might
be that text messages lack nonverbal cues. If you think about it, nonverbal cues in faceto-face communication can tell us a lot about what a person is saying. So without these
cues we might not fully understand what others are trying to say in serious conversations.
How often do we create unnecessary misunderstanding if someone doesnt respond to
our text right away? We are so used to immediate responses that a delayed response can
be interpreted as meaning something negative, causing us more stress and in turn
decreased emotional well-being. Text messaging also requires a lot of time and energy,
which could be contributing to the burnout.
When we encounter social stress in our lives with other people, usually the best way
to resolve it is through communication. But, for the above reasons, it might be that
communicating through text messages only makes the stress worse.
Possible Solution:

Controls must be put in place at home and in taught in schools.

These are fundamental teachings which need to begin before a user is given access to
smartphones. Each person must better understand how the misuse and dependence on
these devices as a form of primary communication can lead to increased stress, unhealthy
relationships and unnecessary misunderstanding

LACKING ATTENTION The addiction to smartphone devices results in the user

constantly needing to check their handheld which interrupt flow of thought,
concentration, retention and full understanding of circumstances and situation in need of

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

focus. This interruption ultimately inhibits the smartphone user from responding
correctly or formulate their best ideas.

Smartphones are so prevalent in our lives that they're interrupting everything from
meals to movies. And engaging with them is sometimes taking precedence over enjoying
the real, live human beings seated next to us. The idea of being present in the moment is
often lost because picture taking, posting to social media sites and texting friends not
with them to tell them about what they are doing takes away from the actual experience
of doing it. Users seem to be consumed with painting a picture of glamour in their lives
posting pictures about all sorts of things which creates a blurred line between perception
and reality. Rather than making wonderful experiences occur or come to life we seemed
to be consumed with telling the world these great things are happening through pictures
and three word comments, tweets, posts or texts.
Facts:

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o In an average week, research has discovered that the average user picks-up their
phone more than 1,500 times a week.
o The average owner uses this device for three hours and sixteen minutes each day or the equivalent of almost one full day a week.
o Almost four in ten users admitted feeling lost without their gadgets.
o Many owners also confessed to finding themselves using their phone without
realizing they are doing so, with two thirds saying they have managed to log in
and browse Facebook without thinking.
o And surprisingly, four in ten said they have, at one time or another, checked their
emails automatically without thinking.
o The study also revealed that smartphones are becoming more of a go-to-gadget,
replacing desktops and laptops, which people only turn to for, on average, 140
tasks in a typical day.
These facts further demonstrates that smartphone device usage is of epidemic
proportion.
Possible Solution:

Like with Social/Communication listed earlier in this paper,

controls must be put in place at home and in taught in schools. Limiting time spent on
these devices is key. Teaching a better understanding and following proper etiquette
when eating or at the movies and everywhere in between is paramount. These are
fundamental teachings which need to begin before a user is given access to smartphones.

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

Each person must better understand how the misuse and dependence on these devices as a
form of primary communication can lead to increased stress, unhealthy relationships and
unnecessary misunderstanding

Conclusion

Technological advances have improved lives for decades. Travel,

communication, and farming are just a few examples where technology can make our
lives easier, healthier and happier. However, all of the good that comes from smartphone
devices is eclipses in part but the reliance and addiction it has created.
We as a culture need to strike a balance for the health, safety and well-being of
all. Like with all things, maintaining balance, especially in an ever-changing-social
economic word is key.

Curtin - 2015 Fall Semester

Works Cited
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidemic
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/03/07/chapter-3-finances-social-trends-and-technology/
http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/54f0956169bedd1b1dcb7819960/smartphonepenetrationbycountry-1.png
http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2783677/How-YOU-look-phone-The-averageuser-picks-device-1-500-times-day.html