Hold on one second — let me answer this call. It's hard to separate ourselves from our cell phones. Since they were first marketed to the general public in 1984, cell phones have brought the world closer together. In Kinshasa, Congo, cell phones have revolutionized the way of life. Previously, talking to family members might have meant miles traveled by foot and encounters with countless dangers.
Today, with the help of the cell phone, people in developing countries like Congo can communicate safely and efficiently.
Ensuring communication between people in other parts of the world is only one of the benefits of cell phones. When your car breaks down on the side of the highway, your cell phone is there to save the day. When you're running late to a movie, you can use your trusty cell to inform friends.
From the way we interact with others to the productivity of our work, cell phones have had an astounding effect on our society.
But hold on. There's someone on the other line — can you hang on?
Cell phones have also pried into our lives with many negative effects.
From interrupting conversations to disrupting class, everyone has dealt with an unwelcome cell phone call. Worse than that inconvenience, though, is the fact that people leave their phones on in these situations in the first place.
Cell phones have also had a negative impact when used while driving. According to a study done by Virginia Tech for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the use of cell phones and other wireless devices contributes to the most car crashes.
You may hate cell phones when you hear one ring while you're in a movie, but you love them when you missed your exit on the highway and need directions.
The positives cell phones have brought not only to our society, but especially to societies in developing countries, far outweigh any possible negatives.
Before the availability of cell phones in the Congo, babies born in the middle of the night did not have a strong chance at survival. With cell phones, though, help can be reached at any time.
If just one life can be saved by making an emergency call from a cell phone, then all the inconveniences are worth it.
Still, cell phone users should remember their manners while utilizing the handy technology.
