Introduction
Side Effects of mobile started from the use of mobile phones began after the 2000s, and before that, life was very peaceful. After mobile phones arrived, people started to appreciate the comfort they provided, leading to increased usage. In 2007, the modern iPhone was invented, marking a significant change in human life. This invention, meant to make life easier, has, ironically, come to dominate our minds. Today, we are beginning to understand the Side Effects of mobile phones.
Let’s find out what some famous IT figures have to say about mobile phone usage:
- Steve Paul Jobs was born on February 24, 1955, in California, USA, and died on October 5, 2011. He was a famous American businessman, inventor, and investor, co-founder of the technology giant Apple, and the founder and majority shareholder of Jobs Next and Pixar Company. In one interview, when asked how often he allowed his children to use mobile phones or tablets, he responded that he did not permit them to use these devices.
- Bill Gates: Known as one of the richest men in the world and the founder of several IT companies, Bill Gates is also credited with inventing the personal computer. During a TV program, when asked about his children’s use of mobile phones, Gates replied that he did not allow them to use mobile phones or similar devices until they were fifteen.
The caution these inventors and investors exhibited regarding mobile phones suggests they were aware of the Side Effects of Mobile. Our aim in writing this article is not to advocate for completely abandoning the Side Effects of Mobile phones but to raise awareness about their appropriate use and the potential consequences of overuse.
Today, the Side Effects of mobile phones have deeply integrated into our lives. According to a study, the majority of mobile users are children under the age of 12, with about 70% of them using social media for four hours daily. Two out of every three children under 12 spend two hours on social media before going to sleep, and 12% check their mobiles upon waking, leading to numerous harms.
Excessive mobile phone use can be attributed to several factors
Boredom: As physical activity diminishes in our lives, we become more sedentary, preferring to stay indoors and use mobile phones excessively. This behaviour reduces the time we spend with family and friends and is being passed down to our children. Whenever we feel bored or confused, we turn to social media for entertainment, which negatively impacts our health. Mobile phone use not only causes physical but also mental health issues.
mobile phone, listen to them, and involve them in productive activities. Previously, pacifiers were used to soothe crying children; now, Side Effects mobile phones serve as digital pacifiers, potentially leading to various health issues due to excessive and untimely use.
By being mindful of how much and when we use mobile phones, we can mitigate their negative impacts and promote healthier lifestyles for ourselves and our children. When a child cries or acts stubbornly, and the parent or mother is busy in the kitchen or doing housework, they often use a mobile phone to calm the child. However, this practice can lead to physical and mental health issues for the child later on. Instead, parents should find alternative ways to relieve their own and their children’s boredom.
Go outside, read a book, or spend time with a family member or elder, and engage in practical activities. Do not give in to children’s cries or stubbornness by handing them a mobile phone. For instance, if a child is crying or being stubborn, stop what you are doing, listen to the child, and involve them in a positive activity. Avoid immediately giving a mobile phone to calm down. In the past, parents used pacifiers to soothe crying babies, but now mobile phones have become digital pacifiers, which can lead to various health issues. Excessive and untimely use of mobile phones can only cause harm.
Whenever a child experiences boredom, parents often blame themselves and consider a mobile phone the best solution. However, we need to understand what boredom truly is. Boredom occurs when a person has nothing to do, leading to various thoughts. Boredom is not inherently bad; it can be an opportunity to redirect thoughts toward something beneficial. In today’s digital era, new thinking is needed.
When a child is bored, parents should use this time to engage with them, asking questions and understanding their problems. This helps parents learn about their children’s interests and thoughts. If a child has negative thoughts, parents can address them, and if the thoughts are beneficial, they can provide support.
How Side Effects of Mobile on the Human Mind?
- Control: Mobile phones can control the human mind by exploiting the brain’s dopamine release mechanism. Dopamine is released when we think about or engage in pleasurable activities, such as playing a favorite game, eating a favorite food, or shopping. This anticipation and fulfillment of pleasure make us constantly seek out these activities.
- Change: When people use mobile phones to fulfill their desires, they become dependent on them. This dependency reduces physical and mental exercise, causing people to neglect basic needs like eating on time. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of mobile phones.
The constant stimulation from mobile phone apps creates mental fatigue. Scrolling through varied content, from happy to sad to emotional, confuses the mind and leads to exhaustion, making it difficult to focus on productive tasks. App developers design these apps to keep users engaged, trapping the mind in a cycle of constant use.
Mobile Alternatives
To reduce children’s mobile phone usage, consider these alternatives:
- Encourage participation in sports like football, hockey, volleyball, or any running game.
- If a phone is needed for educational purposes, provide a device that only contains educational content.
Ways to Reduce Mobile Phone Usage
- Do not charge your mobile phone near your bed.
- Use an alarm clock instead of a mobile phone to wake up in the morning.
- Remove highly addictive apps that do not have a positive use.
- Set a time limit before using the phone.
- Keep your phone at home or in your bag when you don’t need it.
- During social gatherings, refrain from using your mobile phone except for essential calls.
By implementing these strategies, parents can help children develop healthier habits and reduce their dependence on mobile phones.
How Can We Improve Our Relationship with Mobile Phones?
- Evaluate Your Apps: Carefully review your phone and identify apps that consume a lot of your time. If they are not necessary, delete them or remove their data from your phone.
- Manage Notifications: Check your app notifications. If notifications distract you from important tasks, either turn them off or silence them, except for essential notifications.
- Use Reminders: Place reminders on your phone’s screen for tasks you need to complete. This helps prevent the habit of aimlessly browsing your phone, which can hinder productivity and decrease interest in important activities.
- Pre-Bedtime Routine: Put your phone down at least two hours before going to sleep. Engage in alternative activities to ensure the mobile phone does not disturb your sleep. Quality sleep is crucial for human health; lack of it can leave you exhausted, affecting your ability to perform important tasks.
Remember, mobile phones are designed to serve humans, not to enslave our minds. Use them wisely and maintain a healthy relationship with your device.
Conclusion Side Effects of mobile
The widespread use of mobile phones since the 2000s has brought both comfort and convenience, but it has also introduced several Side Effects of mobile phones , especially with the advent of the modern iPhone in 2007. Famous IT figures like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were cautious about their children’s use of mobile devices, indicating awareness of the potential drawbacks.
This article aims to raise awareness about the Side Effects of mobile phones and the consequences of overuse, particularly among children. Studies show that a significant number of children under 12 use mobile phones excessively, which can lead to various health issues.
To mitigate these negative effects, parents should seek alternative activities to keep children engaged and reduce reliance on mobile phones. Encouraging physical activities, understanding and addressing children’s boredom, and setting healthy boundaries for mobile phone use can help maintain a balanced and healthier lifestyle.
By managing app usage, controlling notifications, using reminders, and establishing a pre-bedtime routine that excludes mobile phones, we can foster a better relationship with our devices. Mobile phones should serve us, not enslave our minds. Use them wisely to enhance, not hinder, our lives.