This document discusses some of the social and health implications of smartphone use. It notes that people on average check their phones 150 times per day, which can hurt productivity and brain function. Studies also show that smartphone use during social gatherings can negatively impact conversations. Prolonged use is linked to increased risk of depression, stress, sleep problems and possibly brain cancer over time. The document advocates for establishing "device-free zones" to encourage real human interaction and engagement with the physical world rather than constant smartphone distraction.

1. Smartphones: Friend or
Foe?
Reilly Missen (10137501)
FILM 260
SIDNEYEVE MATRIX

2. Social Implications

3. PHONES HURT PRODUCTIVITY
“The average mobile phone user checks their device 150 times a day...According
to a recent study, the brain can take from 15 to 25 minutes to get back to where it
was after stopping to check an email, and even though you could “fix” this by
simply switching your phone or notifications off during work, your brain is still
hooked on having to check the phone.”
150 X

4. VIEWS ON CELL PHONE USE
● “82% of adults say that when people use their phones in
these settings it frequently or occasionally hurts the
conversation.”
● However, “ 89% of cellphone owners say they used their
phone during the most recent social gathering they
attended.”[2]

5. MULTICOMMUNICATING
● Canadians are noticing an increase in
multicommunicating (using a phone while talking to a real
person).
● When asking someone to repeat themselves, many think
the listener was merely not listening. [3]

6. FLIGHT FROM CONVERSATION
● People flee to their phones to be “social” but escape real
conversation.
● Some are implementing “device free zones” [4]
○ The car, kitchen, or dining room.
○ Demonstrate the value of conversation.
Photo: Texting Congress 3 By: Adam Fagen

7. “So I say, look up, look
at one another, and let's
start the conversation.”
[4]

8. Photo: Do not use cell phone By: Michael Derr

9. FLIGHT FROM CONVERSATION
● No one walks with their head up anymore.
● The water, sand, or sky are not as important as staying
connected.
● Beautiful sights and adventures are wasted on avid cell
phone users. [4]

10. CELL PHONES AND RELATIONSHIPS
● Use of electronics can be hurtful to those you are with.
● “Perhaps it would be going too far to prepare for important conversations by
throwing your cell phone into the closet, or leaving it in the car on first dates.
But if you are spending the day with people you really care about, you might
want to reconsider the next time you reach for your phone to reply to a text
message or check sports scores.” [5]

12. Mental Health

13. DEPENDENCY
● “An individual who is high in dependency should suffer
from depression only if he or she experiences difficulty in
relationships or interpersonal domains.” [6]
● Those who feel that they depend on their phones may feel
some level of depression.
● Phones should be put down or put away more often to
avoid depression.

14. NOMOPHOBIA
● Nomophobia: no mobile phone phobia
● There is trouble distinguishing the difference between those who can function
without their phones and those who are clinically addicted.
● “But maybe the greatest risk of all may lie in deciding that nomophobia
represents an actual medical condition.”[7]

15. ADVENTURING & SMARTPHONES
● Travellers are becoming quite bothered by phone users on a trip.
● The Adventure Collection Blog: “Then, too, there’s the annoying woman in
your group who’s constantly looking down at her handheld device, right at the
time you spot a rare species of wildlife. Why did she bother to travel at all, you
wonder.” [8]
Photo: Binoculars By: bkatcher

16. Physical Health

17. EVERYDAY HEALTH PROBLEMS
● Researchers studied extreme cell phone use [9]
○ Sleep disorders, depression, and stress were observed
○ Those with existing disorders are more likely to develop more severe case.
○ Men more likely to experience sleep problems, where males & females can experience
depression.
● One year follow up was performed [9]
○ After quantitative and qualitative analyses, it was found that ICT’s are linked to many health
problems; specifically sleep problems, depression, and stress.

18. HARMFUL RADIATION
● Cancer risk (mainly in head & neck) [10]
● Increased cases of glioma (most common brain cancer)
● Classified as “possibly carcinogenic” meaning that there is scientific evidence
supporting the thought, but not enough data for full proof. [10]
● Supporting studies still have many variables affecting the reliability of the
study.

19. Works Cited
All photos retrieved from flikr.com creative commons
[1] Margalit, L. (2015, November). Why We’re addicted to our smartphones, but not our tablets. Smashing Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.
smashingmagazine.com/2015/11/why-addicted-smartphones-not-tablets/
[2] RAINIE, LEE, & ZICKUHR, K. (2015, August 26). Americans’ Views on Mobile Etiquette. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.
org/2015/08/26/americans-views-on-mobile-etiquette/
[3] Eichler, L. (2014, October 4). Sorry to be rude, but my smartphone needs my attention. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.
theglobeandmail.com.proxy.queensu.ca/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/sorry-to-be-rude-but-my-phone-needs-
me/article14706158/
[4] Turkle, S. (2014, April 22). The Flight from Conversation. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.queensu.ca/ps/i.
do?id=GALE%7CA287213303&v=2.1&u=queensulaw&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=9e22389507adacd60cce5aabfd6d7991
[5] Lin, H. L. (2012, September 4). How your cell phone hurts your relationships. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-your-
cell-phone-hurts-your-relationships/

20. Works Cited
[6] Weiten, W. & McCann, D. (2010). Human development across the lifespan. In L. Taylor- Atkins, S. Matos, & V. Adams (Eds.), Psychology: Themes
and variations, Third Canadian edition (pp. 663). Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd.
[7] Fung, B. (2015, May 19). Why you shouldn’t confuse “nomophobia” with an actual addiction to smartphones. Washington Post. Retrieved from
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/05/19/why-you-shouldnt-confuse-nomophobia-with-an-actual-addiction-to-
smartphones/
[8] Andrews, C. G. (2013, November 5). Cell Phone Use During Adventure Trips: Time for an Official Policy. Retrieved from http://www.
adventurecollection.com/cell-phone-use-during-adventure-trips-time-for-an-official-policy/
[9] Pederson, T. (2012, June 17). Heavy Cell Phone Use Linked to Depression, Sleep Problems in Young People. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.
com/news/2012/06/17/heavy-cell-phone-use-linked-to-depression-sleep-problems-in-young-people/40262.html
[10] Hill, S. (2015, April 21). Is cell phone radiation actually dangerous? We asked an expert. Retrieved from http://www.digitaltrends.
com/mobile/can-cell-phones-cause-brain-cancer/#:m4XIGgytCRLaEA