Editor’s Introduction.

“It can wait, life’s too short.”

Conversation is a beautiful thing within our society and yet, as time goes on, more and more people would prefer to text someone rather than having to meet up and have a face-to-face conversation with them.

Texting lacks the authenticity that conversation has in abundance and it is something that should never be of preference to an individual when given a choice between the two.

We are forced to wait patiently in the hope that our generation will realize it all sooner rather than later.

As I alluded to in my first blog post, the digital age that we live in is causing a lot of laziness within our society and the sooner we realize, the healthier and happier we will be.

A device should not have the power to cause you and/or others your life.

Draft of Editor’s Introduction.

“Texting lacks the authenticity that conversation has in abundance and it is something that should never be of preference to an individual when given a choice between the two”. This particular statement is what drove me to research this inquiry topic. I found it extremely frustrating that this is the way our society is heading and wanted to find out more about the negative effects it can have on people’s lives. There is no denying that my topic has progressed in relation to where it began. My topic has become more specific in the sense that it is solely focusing on mobile phone use while driving. I decided to research this topic for the simple fact that it is causing several needless deaths, especially in young people of similar age to myself.

Research Blog 8.

It Can Wait

This local county newspaper (Chester County, Pa) article discusses the deadly effects of mobile phone usage while driving. There are many dangers involved with driving but very few more so than mobile phone use itself.  Many responsibilities are tied to driving and one of the most important is that we need to be careful on the roads and try to steer clear from distractions. The deadliest of all: texting and driving. Each year, over 330,000 accidents are caused by texting while driving lead to severe injuries. Astonishingly, cell phone use behind the wheel kills 3,300 distracted american drivers every year, and only society can change this by simply remembering that texting can always wait. I found this article extremely interesting as it relates heavily to the area I want to base my research project on. In my opinion, the most surprising quote from this source was “60% of drivers use cellphones while driving”. This was extremely surprising to me as people are aware of the risks involved with mobile phone use while driving yet, on average, 6 in every 10 people in the US do continue to do it.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

I felt this article was extremely important to include in one of my research blog because in reality, the proof is in the pudding. The numbers don’t lie. In this particular article by The Huffington Post they capture 10 shocking statistics associated with mobile phone use while driving. For example:

1. There are 9 americans killed each day from motor vehicle accidents that involved distracted driving, such as using a cellphone.

This was the most surprising statistic to me as approximately 3,300 needless deaths could be prevented each year.

6. You are four times more likely to be in a crash when using your mobile phone.

9. 46 states in the US have banned texting while driving regardless of age.

10. People in the 21-24 age bracket are more likely to send a text or email while driving, according to a 2012 survey.

Research Blog 7.

TEDx Talk

Rather than focusing on the negative effects in relation to mobile phone use in this blog post, I have decided to highlight what good electronic devices can bring to the table. In this particular source, a TEDx talk performed by Paul Lewis focuses on the power of citizen journalists and their electronic devices. In this video, Lewis discusses how information can be misleading. The police are attempting to cover their tracks when they brutally kill a man in the first of the two cases, only for it to be caught on video camera by a bystander. The second was the brutal suffocation of a man who was being restrained in a dangerous hold on an airplane only to later stop breathing as a result of it. Lewis and his team were determined to get to the bottom of both cases in which were unfairly portrayed in the public eye.

I found the most surprising thing to come from this source to be the corruption within the police force. The fact that they were willing to deny any wrongdoing within both of the cases presented to us just goes to show the direction our world is going in: every man for himself. I am intrigued to find out about more cases that have been aided by citizen journalists and their electronic devices,  i.e mobile phones.

Mobile Phone Use On-Board

Within this article, the author talks about the frustration flight attendants encounter when attempting to prepare the passengers for take off, i.e asking them to oblige by the rules by turning their mobile devices off or on airplane mode at least. It highlights the fact that mobile phones make their job harder than it should be and especially with passengers like the example they give in the article in which he refuses to hang up his phone call. Thus, causing the pilot and flight attendants to take more serious measures. The pilot turned the plane around, went back to the gate, and had the man pulled off the plane by armed guards.  The flight attendants then explained the passenger was in violation of FAA regulations and would now face a fine and possible criminal charges. The other passengers and I sat there, stunned. It was only last year when the FAA deemed the use of mobile phones as safe during takeoff and landing, once the airplane is equipped with proper interference technology. This article was extremely interesting for me as mobile phones have become a huge distraction even in the workplace.

Research Blog 6.

Time For Digital Detox

The first article that I have decided to discuss highlights the need for a digital detox within the younger generation, i.e college students, adolescents etc. It covers the negative effects mobile phone use has on an individual. For example, when college students multi-task with mobile phones in classrooms, research indicates it may hamper their ability to pay attention. This behavior, research suggests, has become more habitual, automatic, and distracting. I found it extremely interesting how a mobile phone can play such a huge part in the life of so many students albeit in a negative way. From this particular research, it appears that students are not willing to simply give up their mobile phones in class and would continue to try to phub even if classroom policies banned their possession or use. The dictionary defines ‘phubbing’ as the practice of ignoring one’s companion or companions in order to pay attention to one’s phone or another mobile device. When students understand the need to have a mobile phone policy and can help to set that policy for a class, they may be more likely to comply. Although many of the offending students may not be aware that their behavior is causing a distraction for their classmates, or that phubbing could be a problem for the instructor. However, this article would suggest that having a mobile phone policy in place is not enough.

Mobile Phone Effects On Teenagers

My second article goes into the negative effects mobile phone use can have on teenagers. I feel this topic is extremely important to highlight as it applies to the majority of households today. Effects such as Teen Tendonitis (TTT), stress, sleep loss, accidents, increased anxiety, the risk of cancer and cyber-bullying all contribute towards the negativity that surrounds mobile phone use. Two of the most serious effects I wanted to highlight was accidents and the risk of cancer in later life. Firstly, teens are more likely to respond to calls, text while driving, and riding than adults. They talk and text on the phone without realizing that it can cost their lives. The U.S. Government driving website has proven that traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in teens. Secondly, in relation to cancer, research shows that electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones get absorbed in our tissues when we hold the phone for longer times. The nervous systems of teens are still developing and have a greater risk of developing brain cancer from cell phones than adults.

Texting and Driving Accidents

My third and final source deals with the relationship between mobile phone use and car accidents. Having read this article I will certainly think twice about grabbing my mobile phone the next time I am driving. Nowadays, smartphones have made it easy for us to stay connected at all times. But they can pose serious safety risks if someone decides to check his or her text messages, emails, etc. while driving. Cell phone distraction rates were alarmingly high in 2016. Here are some of the numbers:

• Mobile phone use while driving accounts for 1.6 million crashes per year.
• Texting while driving is 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.
• Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field.
• Of all mobile phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.
• 11 teens die every day as a result of texting while driving.
• Teen drivers are 4x more likely than adults to get into car crashes or near-crashes when talking or texting on a cell phone.

These statistics really opened my eyes to how many deaths could be avoided each year with a little more mobile phone distraction awareness.

The connections I am noticing between all my sources lead me to believe mobile phone use is far more negative than positive with it ultimately being labelled a distraction in most situations. When doing further research in the future, I will be sure to find out about mobile phone radiation and if it increases the risks of cancer in teens. Finally, the more my topic is developing the more knowledge I am gaining in relation to integrating what I am learning into my own life for optimum health.

Research Blog 5.

Health Risks of Mobile Phones

This particular article highlights the many health risks that are involved with the use of mobile phones. I found it extremely interesting how unaware of the risks involved with movie phone use that most people are. The main argument that the author poses is that of the exposure of Radio-Frequency (RF) from mobile phones.

I feel this source refers to many of the sources I have research as they are all focusing on negative effects of not only mobile phone use but overuse also. It mentions the relationship between mobile phone use and cancer which is also a field I am extremely interested in researching for my topic. This leads me to the next branch of questions: What else does it make you want to know? Search for next? What questions does this source raise for you? Having read this article, I am interested to find out about what areas of the brain is effected and how the radioactive waves coming from the mobile phone itself can promote brain tumors. This leads me to pose the question of: Is the belief that ‘mobile phone use promotes cancer’ a myth?

In conclusion, there are several key words and phrases within this article but the three words I have put most emphasis on are: Health risks, Radio-Frequency (RF) and Cancer. I felt these are the three words that could help aid me in finding what I want to know next.

Research Blog 4.

Effects of Mobile Phone Use on the Brain

This article is focused on the negative effects that mobile phone use can have on the brain. In the introductory paragraph, the author, highlights that concerns continue to be raised about potential adverse health impacts associated with their use. These range from cancer and cognitive deficiencies to subjective effects, such as a feeling of warmth around the ear used, headache and fatigue. This article provides an overview of the concerns raised and summarizes what is known about them which I think is extremely important for mobile phone users to be aware of.

The author presents to us as readers his argument that mobile phones may actually cause more harm than good in the long run, without us realizing it. The first studies of this kind took place in the USA, Sweden, Denmark and Finland yet the results showed no significant association between digital mobile phone use and malignant brain tumors. The main gist of what the author is trying to get across to his audience is the negative effect mobile phones can have on the human brain in situations such as driving, overuse etc. A strong link has been found between mobile phone use while driving and the occurrence of traffic accidents, resulting in some governments taking steps to ban mobile phone use when navigating traffic. Yet there has been no significant relationship has been established between mobile phone use and the incidence or growth of cancer, especially brain tumours. Although there is still justification for further studies, which look at the risks of longer-term mobile phone use (approx. over 15 years), these type of studies address a broad range of health outcomes, not only brain tumors.

Therefore, parents must look after their children from a young age as they may be effected in later life. The authors of this particular article: F. Samkange-Zeeb and M. Blettner have been working to provide an overview of the concerns raised with mobile phone use since it was published on June 12, 2009. It can almost be viewed as a shout out to all mobile phone users to broaden their knowledge of how the device can negatively impact them if it is not used in moderation.

 

Research Blog 3.

Mobile Phone Addiction

The most interesting thing I found within my first source was the effect mobile phone addiction can have on character traits, for example, high anxiety, and teenagers’ low self-esteem etc. This article was written in November, 2012 by Da-Yeah University’s Graduate Institute of Professional Development department in Taiwan. This source relates closely to many of my other sources in the sense that they all focus highly on mobile phone addiction and the negative effect it has on individuals. I have decided to focus my research question on primarily the negatives that come with mobile phone dependence. Having read this particular article, I have been given insight into the negative effects mobile phone dependence/addiction can have on an individual’s character and how easily experts can determine what traits someone may possess simply because of what they do most with their mobile phone. This article makes me want to broaden my knowledge further on the effects mobile phone overuse has on the brain. Some words from the article I have listed as ‘good search terms’ are: extraversion and social anxiety.

Sherry Turkle – Ted Talk

My second source is a TED Talk performed by Sherry Turtle. For me, this was an extremely interesting source having read her book Reclaiming Conversation which concentrated a lot on technology and the negative effects it has on society. This TED Talk took place on November 20, 2014. This source concentrates on how the use of technology, including mobile phones, can make us feel connected when in reality we are in isolation. This video made me realize the false sense of security we get from our mobile phones and how it can be destructive within our day-to-day lives. This can be closely related with addiction as we cannot separate ourselves from our devices. I gained several new perspectives having watched this video, including the likes of how mobile phones can disconnect us from our daily lives. This source has led me to believe mobile phones do far more harm than good and should be used in moderation to help promote a healthier lifestyle. It also raised the question of ‘Are we ever fully connected through our devices?’.

Furthermore, I find the more research I do the more my topic has changed. For example, when I started out I hadn’t focused on the more negative effects of how dependent we are on our mobile phones. This helps me better understand the research process how the more research I do the more strength and specificity my guiding question has. In my opinion, my guiding question is extremely interesting and although I may alter it slightly in the future, I think it has great depth to it.

Argument as Conversation.

For my Argument as Conversation blog post I was extremely interested in reading how Greene, the author, viewed inquiry as an important role in writing a researched argument. Greene discusses several principles, research as a conversational issue, where an issue and situation contribute to framing a problem a particular way and researchers seek not to collect information but to generate new knowledge in a social process – being the ideas and activities that drive the college that I attend today. Green states early in the chapter that “argument is very much like conversation” and it is a statement I wholeheartedly agree with. As we dispute a particular topic, we are conversing, albeit in a slightly more authoritative way.

When performing research, it is important to use scholarly sources as they tend to be more reliable in comparison to websites such as Wikipedia etc. In the inquiry process, it is important to find out who else had addressed similar problems, conflicts, or questions in order to take a stance within some on-going scholarly conversation. This can be closely linked with Burke’s Parlour Metaphor, where you enter a conversation that began many years before you and it is only now you are having your say. Furthermore, when you are preparing to make your mark in the never ending conversation it is vital you follow the three steps Greene presents to us: Identifying the issue, Identifying the situation, and framing a good question. The question is extremely important as it must be specific enough to guide your inquiry while keeping you interested as the researcher. A good question is one that is open ended and can be answered given the access we have to certain kinds of information.

In conclusion, I enjoyed Greene’s views in relation to the inquiry process and research and feel it will stand to me having more specificity in future research assignments.

 

Research Blog 2.

“Cell Phone Ownership”

• Cell phone ownership among adults now exceeds 90% (56% of which are smartphones).

Boredom

• 41% of cell phone owners said they turned to their phones to fill in free time.

Risk

• Some 28% of cell owners at that time admitted that they didn’t drive as safely as they should.

Connectivity

• “Many people constantly check their phones; keep them by their bedside; think their phones make life better because they connect with pals more often; think their phones make life easier to plan; and think their phones make them more productive.”

Summary: Nowadays, adults are making significant strides towards equalling teenage cell phone usage. 91 percent of adults are on board, although this may have negative consequences.

“Cell Phone Use During Sex? Believe It”

• “Ever notice how people are glued to their mobile phones, like they’ve forgotten to put them down? Well, it’s worse than you thought.”
• “People are using their mobile phones at what polite company might consider the most inappropriate places.”

Comfort

• 72% of people say that they are within 5 feet of their phones most of the time.

Dangerous

• About 55% used their phones while driving, even with all the warnings of how talking or texting while driving can be dangerous.

Distraction

• A full third (33.3%) used their phones during a dinner date.

Outrageous

• Even though mixing electronics and water is usually a bad idea, 12% used their phones in the shower.
• 19% have used their phones in a place of worship, suggesting that the officiating person might try texting that sermon.

Summary: This article focuses on examples of inappropriate places people will use their phones. It is quite alarming that the level of dependence is so high.

 

Atkins Library Activity.

Having participated in this library assignment, there are many things I have gained knowledge on. For example, you can see almost every building on campus from the 10th floor and how it easy checking out a book really is. Although I had pictured the library to be a slightly intimidating place, I couldn’t have been more wrong. It is a fantastic asset for UNC Charlotte and a wonderful place to work in peace and learn about new topics at your own pace. It was an extremely enjoyable assignment for me personally.

I found it particularly helpful that there was a voice over in the library videos explaining how to do particular tasks. I used this to locate my book (Kane&Abel) on the 6th floor and learn where exactly you check the book itself out. There are many sources on the library website that will aid me for my inquiry project and I look forward to using them. The one thing that surprised me was the sheer size of the library, I was aware that it was big but it is not until you are in it that you realize thousands of people can be in there at once without it feeling crowded. The students in the library seemed to be very focused with little distraction on each and every floor. As I alluded to before, it is a peaceful place and everyone seemed to be working with a purpose on assignments, projects etc. Also, several of the floors were fitted with computers for student use. My favorite place in the library is without a doubt the 10th floor. It was the most quiet floor which I felt was important in relation to getting work done. It also has some of the most spectacular views across Charlotte which I very much enjoyed. After I had completed the note-taking part of this assignment, I set up camp by the window and began to wrote this blog post.

I will certainly be coming back to Atkins Library again to use the many resources it has to offer. I think it is the best place to come and study because you are in an environment with people who have the same goals as you. It is certainly one of the most interesting places on campus.