The Pros and Cons of Mobile Phone Ownership

These days, almost everyone has a mobile phone. However, whilst most people purely look at the positive aspect of this, there are some cons to mobile phone ownership that should be considered. This article takes a balanced look at the pros and cons of owning a mobile phone.

Mobile phones are an essential part of modern life. No matter where you go, you can't escape the incessant drone of people chatting in public places or playing irritating games on the train. But despite the irritation factor, mobile phones are also very useful. So if you have yet to invest in a mobile handset, here are a few of the many pros and cons of owning one.

The Evolution of the Telephone

The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell. His talking device revolutionized the way people kept in touch. No longer were individuals forced to write letters or send - telegrams instead they could dial a number and talk to connected via a cable and, eventually, the mobile phone was born. Now millions of people can't live without them.

Pro #1: Contact Important People 24/7

Old-fashioned telephones were not readily available. In the olden days, a lot of houses were not equipped with a landline, so people were forced to walk to telephone boxes some distance away. And if you didn't have any change, you were stuck. Owning a mobile phone today makes it so much easier to make a call from anywhere in the world. You can lie in the bath or relax in bed while you talk to your boyfriend, which is a lot better than standing shivering in a smelly old phone box.

Pro #2: Access Online Services from Anywhere

Before Internet-enabled mobile smartphones were invented, going online meant logging into the computer. This wasn't necessarily a problem, but it meant you had to be at home or at the office. Nowadays, however, people can go surfing online right on their smartphones. And as long as they use free Wi-Fi or have a decent data allowance as part of their contract, it won't cost a thing.

Pro #3: Make Emergency Telephone Calls

If something terrible happens, having a mobile phone handy means you can call for help instantly. Because of this, help will be on its way a lot sooner, which could actually save someone's life.

Pro #4: An Entertainment Console in the Palm of Your Hand

Mobile phones are designed for entertainment as well as work. There are countless gaming apps available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows smartphones, so you can play games to your heart's content. Not all game apps are free, but many are, which is always a bonus. And if you are not interested in playing games, you can watch your favorite TV shows or listen to music instead. The possibilities are nearly endless.

The Cons of Owning a Mobile Phone

Despite all of the benefits of owning a mobile phone, there are a few disadvantages as well, and it is important to be aware of them before you rush out and buy a new handset.

Con #1: The Cost

Mobile phones can be very expensive if you are not careful about which contract you opt for or if you use the device indiscriminately. Many network providers offer free minutes, text messages, and data with their packages, but if you are encouraged to choose the wrong plan, you could end up paying far too much. SIM Only deals can help cut the costs of mobile phone ownership, but it is important to take impartial advice if you are not sure of your available options.

Con #2: Can Cause Poor Social Interaction

Based on the new data released by analytics firm Flurry, people use smartphones at least 5 hours a day. They also added that people’s usage of apps increases to 69% last 2017. With this, the “real” social interaction degrades. People no longer interact with people outside as they tend to spend more time with their smartphones.

Con #3: Can Cause Health Problems

Smartphones are also found to have a negative impact on your health. Smartphones emit radiofrequency energy which can be absorbed by the tissues in the body. Sleep deprivation is also one of the common bad effects of using smartphones. Moreover, phones produce HEV light which can damage your eyes’ retina.

Con #4: Can Cause Privacy Threats

Even if smartphones are made private, there are still security risks and threats everywhere. Hackers are always present and virtual viruses are potent. Smartphones are vulnerable to these threats when you access the internet. Thus, you need to be extra cautious of opening sites and links.