When did you get your first cell phone?

Two weeks ago, our Electronic Communication class experienced five days without various forms of CMC, including cell phones. After listening to the class discussion many people, including myself agreed that cell phone usage was difficult to forego. After reading a recent article, http://blogs.usatoday.com/technologylive/2008/09/40-of-teenagers.html, the reliance of cell phones is also increasing rapidly among younger generations. I understand I am only 22 years old, but when I was a teenager, cell phones were used as a safety precaution for young drivers and informing parents when practice was finished.

According to this article, we have now moved into a society where nearly 50% of teenagers claim they cannot “live” without their cell phones. For example, I teach at a youth group for 5th-8th graders and several 5th graders own cell phones. I understand I may take an “old-school” stand on this matter, but is it truly necessary for 13 year old children to have smart phones?

I would agree with the perception that society and cell phone companies are targeting younger users with flashy phone designs and beefed up media plans. Also, several companies have begun listening to this younger audience in order to uncover innovative product ideas. Because of these reasons, cell phones have become engrained in their lifestyle and evolved into a status symbol. In Unit 3, we discussed the concept of invisible technology in which we rely heavily on specific types of technology making them commonplace. In my eyes, cell phones have definitely become invisible technology especially within the teenager segment.

Text messaging is not far behind the societal reliance on cell phones conversations. In order to understand the prevalence of text messaging, early in the class we were given the statistic that ten billion text messages went through AT&T in one quarter. Also, according to this article nearly 50% of teenagers claim they can text while blindfolded. The younger generation has moved past the simplicity of regular conversations into a world of text/picture messaging and smart phones. It is essential for older generations to continue stressing the importance of face to face communication and the life-enhancing qualities that can result from social interaction.

I guess you could say I view this situation with a somewhat dystopian vision (Unit 3) in which teenagers are becoming addicted to cell phone usage and consequently hindering their social structures. Although younger generations have become advanced in CMC, antisocial behavior could prove to be a problem in the future.