Iphones and Society - misconstrued messages in a connected world.

The development of cellular technology in the 21st century has made it incredibly easy for people to be connected through one platform or another specifically via text message or social media applications. However, the ability to communicate with other individuals digitally, rather than in person can cause various societal impacts for all of those who are engaged. First, studies have shown that a “substantial amount of communication is non-verbal” (facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and tone of voice). When one communicates through means of technology such as cellular devices, they may be considerably limiting the amount of information that is sent or received. Colloquialisms such as sarcasm, tone and other variations of informal conversation typically used in face-to-face dialogue also fall by the wayside when words are communicated on the screen. Studies from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology show that while the sender of a text message may think it is clear, “50 percent” of the time the message is actually comprehended improperly. Causing people to often be confused or upset with the sender of the message.

A large problem that is associated with misconstrued messages in today’s society is indirect or accidental bullying. This miscommunication often carries out in schools or the workplace where common conversation can be awkward even unwelcoming for some. Especially common amongst young teens and adults, which their posts or pictures uploaded to social media sites can cause various unintended problems to those who are subjected in the post due to misinterpretation. It is safe to say that the mobile devices have caused many problems in today’s culture and that our society would be better off with a more self-regulation of its usage.

Along with many societal issues, the iPhone has also caused many people to develop negative physiological habits that inhibit interaction and contribution to society of a human being independent from its usage. When faced with any new or awkward situations, the new common approach is to divert your eyes away from conflict, and hide behind the screen of your phone as to appear busy or preoccupied. The iPhone not only allows this type of predisposed introverted behavior, but it actually encourages it. With all of its social media platforms, messaging applications, and news apps, the iPhone naturally sucks you into your very own world. It seems that today’s society has grown somewhat lost without constant interaction. Studies on daily activities show that “33 percent of people are unable to go on a dinner date without out checking their phones, and even worse, 19 percent of people report using their phones in a place of worship” . The inability to complete basic tasks such as spending quality time with the ones whom they love, and showing their respect to God is a huge eye opener. Cellular phones have become one of the largest addictions that our society faces today. Users have become encompassed in a proxy world in which they value “likes” over genuine accomplishments, forming a society not keen to value topics of importance.

Whether society welcomes it or not, innovation is only bound by the constraints of time and the effects are sure to shape each of our paths. However, the form in which society uses technology will shape the personalities of each respective user. Smartphones provide inherent benefits but their ability to distract people away from each other needs to be discussed. People often turn to their phones as a sense of confidence in order to shy away from a genuine interaction and this its vice. As responsible users it is imperative to try and break away from these habits in order to stimulate better communication, forming a more engaging society.