Social Isolation

Cell Phones in SocietyE. Wilsdon

Topics to be Covered Cell Phones in Society Facts on Cell Phone Use Defining Social Isolation

o Symptoms Experienced with Social Isolation

Positive Aspects of Cell Phoneso Positive Impacts of Cell Phones on Social Connection & Interaction

Negative Aspects of Cell Phoneso Negative Impacts of Cell Phones on Social Connection & Interaction

Cell Phones in Social Gatherings Cell Phone Use Impact on Society Conclusion References

Cell Phones in Society• The use of cell phones is one of

the most rapidly diffused devices in the history of technological innovation (Bittman et al., 2009)

• Worldwide there are now over 1.7 billion cell phone accounts, 600 million more cell phones services than fixed lines (Bittman et al., 2009)

Facts on Cell Phone Use• As of January 2014: 90% of American adults own a cell phone

• Cell phone users are turning to their mobile devices to navigate a wide range of life events including:• 62% of smartphone owners have used their phone in the past year to look up information about a

health condition• 57% have used their phone to do online banking• 44% have used their phone to look up real estate listings or other information about a place to live• 43% to look up information about a job• 40% to look up government services or information• 30% to take a class or get educational content• 18% to submit a job application

(Smith, 2015)

Defining Social IsolationSocial Isolation: Near or complete lack of contact between an individual and society

• Having little to no contact with others• Can last for extended periods of time

CausesLiving in a remote areaNone or little physical contactBeing alone Shyness, depression, anxiety

Symptoms Experienced with Social Isolation

Social Anxiety: disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations

Social Disconnectedness: characterized by a lack of contact with others (Cornwell & Waite, 2009)

Perceived Isolation: characterized by the subjective view of lack of one's social resources such as companionship and support (Cornwell & Waite, 2009)

Symptoms Experienced with Social Isolation Cont’

Loneliness: feeling of being alone

Anxiousness:mental distress/uneasiness  because of fear of danger or misfortune

• Indicators of isolation: living alone, having a small social network, low participation in social activities, a apparent lack of social support & feelings of loneliness (Cornwell & Waite, 2009)

Positive Aspects of Cell Phones• Allows people around the world to stay

connected (Myers, 2013)

• Allows for faster and more efficient ways to communicate

• Cell phones enable people to seek help in emergency situations quickly

• Allows people to engage in activities such as:• Surfing the internet• Play games• Share photos, videos

Positive Impacts of Cell Phones on Social Connection & Interaction

• Cell phones are helping people remain socially connected around the world (Myers, 2013)

• Cell phones substitute the need for face-face interactions which is convenient when time or location is a factor (Myers, 2013)

• Arrange social functions quickly (Campbell, 2005)

• Enables young people to organize their social life (Campbell, 2005)

• Allows for more flexibility and spontaneity in their lives (Campbell, 2005)

Negative Aspects of Cell Phones• Messages are easily

misinterpreted (Stewart, 2013)

• Lack of “interpersonal, community, and general social ties” (Stewart, 2013)

• Cell phones cause distraction while: Driving, walking, at work/school

• Cyber Bullying

• Possible health issues

Negative Impacts of Cell Phones on Social Connection & Interaction

• In a study done by Elon University students, the effect of technology on face-to-face communication was analyzed (Cornwell & Waite, 2009)• “People who had conversations in the absence of mobile devices reported higher levels

of empathetic concern, while those conversing in the presence of a mobile device reported lower levels of empathy”

• “In another study, Przybylski and Weinstein (2012) showed similar results that proved the presence of mobile communication devices in social settings interferes with human relationships”• “In two separate experiments, the authors found evidence that these devices have

negative effects on closeness, connection, and conversation quality, especially notable when individuals are engaging in personally meaningful topics.”

Cell Phones in Social GatheringsIn a survey study completed, information related to cellphone usage in group settings & social gatherings was collected. Here are some results:o “82% of all adults (not just cell owners) said that when people use their cellphones at social gatherings it

occasionally hurts the conversation and atmosphere of the gathering”

o 37% say it “frequently” hurts the gathering

o 45% say it “occasionally” hurts the gathering

o Only 18% say it “rarely” or “never” hurts the gathering” (Rainie & Zickuhr, 2015).

Cell Phone Use Impact on Society “A plethora of research findings suggest that cell phone

usage in social spaces generates negative attitudes as it constitutes a disturbance to proximate others” (Banjo, Hu, & Sundar, 2008)

In response to the question of whether or not cell phones bothered others, more than half of the respondents which included cell phone users and non-cell phone users agreed (Banjo, Hu, & Sundar, 2008)

Public use of new technologies change roles from social participant to observer or a user of new technologies.

It is not just the user who is engaged in cell phone activity - the observer becomes involved as a bystander (Banjo, Hu, & Sundar, 2008)

Cell Phone Use Impact on Society Cont’ Findings from this study suggests that cell

phone use in public spaces is a form of exclusion (Banjo, Hu, & Sundar, 2008)

According to observational studies, cell phone users have been seen to acknowledge the presence of strangers, by glancing or gazing, but their body language appears closed to the idea of pursuing any interaction (Banjo, Hu, & Sundar, 2008)

“The presence of a cell phone automatically restricts users from non-verbal communication” (Banjo, Hu, & Sundar, 2008)

Conclusion Social media apps on cell phones allow for some

beneficial social activities which allow people to connect to new people (Hampton et al, 2009)

Face to face contact has decreased among relationships and family members

Many people of the 21st century are physically feeling alone even though they can connect through texting and social media (Price, 2011)

It is important that people all over the world find a balance between the use of cell phone connection and

use along without disregarding the importance and power of face to face communication.

ReferencesBanjo, O., Hu, Y., & Sundar, S. (2008). Cell Phone Usage and Social Interaction with Proximate Others: Ringing in a Theoretical Model. TOCOMMJ, 2(1), 127-135. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874916x00802010127

Bittman, M., Brown, J., & Wajcman, J. (2009). The Cell Phone, Constant Connection and Time Scarcity in Australia.Social Indicators Research, 93(1), 229-233. doi:10.1007/s11205-008-9367-8

Campbell, M. (2005). The impact of the mobile phone on young people’s social life. Queensland University of Technology. Retrieved 11 July 2016, from http://eprints.qut.edu.au/3492/1/3492.pdf

Cornwell, E. & Waite, L. (2009). Social Disconnectedness, Perceived Isolation, and Health among Older Adults. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 5 June 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756979/

Drago, E. (2015). The Effect of Technology on Face-to-Face Communication. Elon University Education. Retrieved 9 June 2016, from https://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/academics/communications/research/vol6no1/02DragoEJSpring15.pdf

Drago, E. (2015). The Effect of Technology on Face-to-Face Communication. Elon University Education. Retrieved 9 June 2016, from https://www.elon.edu/docs/e- web/academics/communications/research/vol6no1/02DragoEJSpring15.pdf

Hampton, Keith et al. "Social Isolation And New Technology". Pew Internet (2009)

Myers, N. (2013). Social Isolation and Cell Phone Use by College Students. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2028&context=theses

Price, M. (2011). Alone in the crowd. American Psychological Association. Retrieved 18 July 2016, from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/06/social-networking.aspx

Rainie, L. & Zickuhr, K. (2015). Chapter 4: Phone use in social gatherings. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. Retrieved 4 July 2016, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/26/chapter- 4-phone-use-in-social-gatherings/

Smith, A. (2015). U.S. Smartphone Use in 2015. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 4 July 2016, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/us-smartphone-use-in-2015/

Stewart, E. (2013). Does cell phone use really affect our communication skills?. The Lance. Retrieved 5 June 2016, from http://lhslance.org/2013/features/cell-phone-use-really-affect-communication-skills/