Impact of Excessive Mobile Phone Use on Students' Health and Social Life

This report discusses the impact of excessive mobile phone use on students' health and social life. It presents the current situation, social and medical issues, and the need for changes. Suggestions for reducing the impact on health and social life are also discussed.

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Executive summary
In the last 20 years, the use of the mobile devices has increasing across the world by the general
public and mainly by the students. The rates of the adoption of mobile phones across the world
vary according to the different countries. Considering the research it has been observed that the
rise in the use of technology brought increase in use of mobile phones. The use of mobile phone
is increasing because of its numerous advantages. Though, excessive use of mobile phones
makes the people or student addicted. The addiction of mobile phone directly affects the social
and health issues of students. This report is written by the manager to the director of
Occupational Safety and Health about the problems which are faced by the students due to
excessive use of mobile phones. The findings of the report state that these issues highly affect the
life of users. Therefore, the suggestions for the issues are discussed which are required to bring
the change in life of mobile uses mainly students.

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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Present situation...............................................................................................................................3
Social and medical issues due to mobile phones.............................................................................4
Cell phones affect eye health.......................................................................................................4
Health hazard...............................................................................................................................5
Mobile phone leads to traffic hazards..........................................................................................6
Social impact...............................................................................................................................7
Need for changes.............................................................................................................................7
Reduction in eye health...............................................................................................................8
Reducing the impact of RF radiation...........................................................................................8
Reducing traffic hazards..............................................................................................................8
Reducing social impact................................................................................................................9
Advantages outweigh the disadvantages of mobile phones..........................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................13

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Introduction
In the recent era, the use of the wireless technology is increasing which majorly include use of
mobile phones. The rise in the wireless communication leads to formation of mobile phone
which has brought the transformation in the way of communication, in performing the business
operation and transformed the way of life. The rise in the mobile phone usage made these
devices a part and parcel of everyday life across the globe. The Wi-Fi and internet connectivity
support the mobile device which helps the user in making use of the mobile devices effectively.
The report includes the details related to the excessive use of the mobile phones and its effect on
the social and medical problems mainly among the students. It also presents the proposal and
suggestions for the problems which include the different ways that can be implemented to reduce
the effect of a mobile phone on the health of students. This report is presented by the manager of
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to its director. Along with this, it present the forms
which are mainly taken by these problems and also reflect the opinion related to advantages
outweighs the disadvantages of mobile phones.

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Present situation
In recent years, most of the population across the world make use of smartphones on a wide
range as they found it as the beneficial tool for customers in different ways. Though, this is also a
fact that the users of a mobile phone are unable to understand the disadvantage associated with
the use of mobile phones such as reduction in work efficacy, personal attention, social nuisance
and the addiction related to psychological. According to the research, this has been found that
24.8%- 27.8% students are addicted to the use of smartphones. Moreover, the count for the users
is increasing across the world progressively. The present situation reflects that mobile phone is
the most dominant portal of information and communication technology.
In Malaysia market, the use of mobile phone is increasing which is clear from the graph that is
given below: -
(Source: Statista, 2018)

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The statistics reflect that the number of smartphones users in Malaysia from 2015 to 2018
increased and it is predicted that by the year 2022 the number will reach 23.31 million. The rise
in the use of mobile phone in Malaysia market was possible due to the emergence of technology
in the country. Technology has made it possible to communicate with the people at different
locations. Moreover, this has been found that in Malaysia there is a rise in mobile cellular
penetration which has reached to 131.8% while penetration of smartphone stood at 70% in the
third quarter of 2017 (The Star, 2018). This penetration in market leads to rise in the use of
mobile phone and has contributed to make the students addicted towards mobile phone.
According to the statista.com, the number of smartphones users in Malaysia reaches to 19.9
million by the year 2017 where the country population is more than 32 million. This addiction
leads to numerous social or medical problems majorly among the students who spend hours on
the mobile phone.
Social and medical issues due to mobile phones
The research reflects mobile phones have become an inseparable part of human’s lives. Mobile
phones provide a high degree of convenience and comfort to the students due to which they
make use of mobile phone excessively. This excessive use of mobile phones becomes one of the
leading disadvantages for the students as they face numerous social and medical issues.
Cell phones affect eye health
The use of mobile phones by the students is increasing not only in the daytime but they are
mainly using it in the night. Small text and bright screens can strain the eyes of mobile users if
they are making use of smartphones for hours. Though, students state that computer,
smartphones and other hand-held devices are designed for close reading (Nath & Mukherjee,

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2015). The matter of the fact is that this reading affects the health of eyes. According to the
vision council, the research found that more than a third of US adults reported that they make use
of mobile phones for 6 or more hours a day. The rise in use leads to potential problems include
eye strain and the symptoms of same include eye irritation, eye redness, dry eyes, back pain,
blurred vision, headaches and neck pains. Across the world, this has been found that there is a
tremendous rise in the number of students who are involved in the treatment of eyes due to
increase in the use of digital devices (Parasuraman, et al 2017). At most of the workplace the
communication is done with the use of smartphone which is one of the drawbacks as this leads to
the impact on health of students or users as they have to regularly remain in touch with their
mobile phone so that they can read the important communication at workplace (White, Thomas,
Ezeanochie & Bull, 2016).
Health hazard
Mobile phones use Radio Frequency (RF) waves in relation to transmitting signals to and fro.
Mobile phones communicate with the base stations that are involved in radiofrequency radiation.
This has been observed that if there is a rise in the RF radiation then it includes high thermal
effects which show that it raises body temperature. This RF radiation emitted from the mobile
phone can leads to the health problems which include brain tumours and headaches. This
problem also leads to other issues within the human body. In the year 2011l, the research
conducted by the WHO (World Health Organisation) has classified the radiation of RF as
possibly carcinogenic for humans. It can be said that this leads to the disease like Glioma which
is a type of brain cancer (Better Health Channel, 2014).

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Mobile phone leads to traffic hazards
The use of mobile phone is increasing across the world due to which students are making
excessive use of it. Students are addicted towards it due to which they make use of it at the time
of walking on streets or driving the vehicle which leads to the threats of accidents and also
affects their social life. In the current era, students put themselves in the potentially hazardous
situations and carrying a mobile phone in their hands. According to the recent study conducted
by the centres for disease control and prevention, there are huge numbers of drivers who get
distracted because of the use of mobile phone within the United States and Seven European
countries. This leads to the many social problems as a driver will not be able to perform their
daily activities effectively which is their obligation (Lee, Chang, Lin & Cheng, 2014). In
addition, they are responsible for the life of people walking on a street or travelling as mobile
phone attracts the people due to which there are high threats of accidents or danger to life.
Considering the fact, that the numbers of accidents due to a mobile phone are increasing which
made the government take actions. For example; the government of Australia has taken as they
made the hand-held phone illegal while driving in the states and territories of Australia.
Similarly, Malaysian government has also taken the steps in which they have declared that it is
illegal to make use of mobile phone while driving (Ramendran, 2016). This step is taken by the
government after considering the accident rates that took place in Malaysia as the county has
high rates of accidents. There were approximately 5,310 fatalities from January to September
2017 while considering the last year data there were 7,152 deaths (Channel News Asia, 2017).
The decreasing data of death rate was possible only because the government made use of mobile
phone illegal while driving. The main aim of the minister was to execute the strict enforcement
which was done to save the lives by penalising them if they found anyone guilty. According to

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the report, this has been found that Malaysia has notoriously earned itself as being one of the
countries where there is a continuous rise in the number of road accidents in the world and this
was possible because of the careless use of mobile phone while driving (The Star, 2017).
Social impact
The use of mobile phone leads to a social impact on students and other users. This is found that
most of the students are lost due to the unnecessary activities that are conducted by them because
of mobile phones. Students are occupied in usual calling and texting function which include
checking of emails and files. This makes them addicted towards watching videos, gaming and
messaging (Bian & Leung, 2015). This shows the major reason due to which most of the users
are not able to pay attention towards their day to day activities which include study and their
work at the workplace. Further, the students also distract the other students at the time of lectures
by involving them in playing games, reading jokes or other activities. Along with this, the
physical activities or meetings are reducing which is a big huddle for their social life as the users
or students don’t want to meet their loved ones or relative personally (Research Pedia, 2018).
Though, they get connected with them with the help of social media or digital platforms. These
issues are mainly found in the youth and children who are making excessive use of mobile
phones.
Need for changes
The fact is that the excessive uses of the mobile phone are increasing due to which most of the
user face social and health issues. The issues related to excessive use of mobile phone affect the
lives of students and users which show that it is a high time in which the users should try to
reduce the effect of the mobile phone on health (Hall, Cole-Lewis & Bernhardt, 2015). The

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health issues are increasing due to which death rates are increasing which is a sign of the danger
for the country. There is a need for the numerous numbers of precautions which are required to
be taken by the users as this is the only way through which development will take place. Some of
the suggestions are discussed below: -
Reduction in eye health
The health problems which are faced by the students can be reduced if student some ways
through which they can prevent the digital eye strain which includes reducing glare, cleaning the
screen, dimming the surrounding lightning. Students should ensure that they are able to maintain
an adequate distance between the eyes and screen. Along with this, while using the mobile phone
they should increase the text size (Tech News, 2014). Students should implement the 20-20-20
rule in which they can break every 20 minutes after making the use of digital devices.
Reducing the impact of RF radiation
There are different solutions through which the students and users of the mobile phone can put
efforts to reduce the radiation of RF. This will help to reduce the effect of RF radiation on the
human health. It is required to follow some of the required steps which are discussed below: -
 The selection of the mobile phone model is required to be done effectively as the mobile
phone should have low specific absorption rate (SAR).
 Reducing the time for mobile phone calls
 Users should make use of the hands-free kit
 Not to carry mobile phone near to users body when it is switched on

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Reducing traffic hazards
The traffic hazards are increasing in number which is a threat to the lives of people who are
consuming the phone while driving and also for others. The regulations by the government will
reduce the use of mobile phone but there is need to generate the awareness among the customers
for the drawbacks of the mobile while driving. This is the fact that most of the people understand
that it is a threat for the life but then also they make use of mobile phones which is dangerous for
them. The NGOs always put efforts to generate the awareness that mobile phones should be used
to some extent (World Health Organization, 2015).
Reducing social impact
The students and adults don’t understand the value of social values and norms due to which they
are giving more importance to the mobile phones. They spend most of their time on mobile
phones which is not good for their relationship with their loved ones. The student spends less
time with their family members due to which their strong relation break. The mobile users should
know the fact that the spending time with parents and loved ones is essential for the personal
development of the student. Therefore, the students should spend time with their family members
or with loved ones (Hertlein & Ancheta, 2014). In addition, at the time of lunch and dinner time,
the student should stop making use of mobile phones.
All the above changes help the users in improving their lives and overcoming the addiction to
mobile phones. There is not as such cost involved in improving the situation though it is the
responsibility of the users to understand the aspects and to take the required steps. This is the fact
that numerous numbers of benefits are present that is an improvement in health, a decrease in
addiction, reduction in death rates, high social involvement of employees and many others.

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Advantages outweigh the disadvantages of mobile phones
The report reflects that are a numerous number of disadvantages of mobile phone related to the
social and health issues. According to me advantages of mobile phone outweigh the
disadvantages. Some of the advantages of mobile phones are discussed below: -
 Connected to the world: - Mobile phone is one of the effective ways through which the
users can get connected to one another. Cell phone technology provides improved
connectivity in the world due to which there is a rise in the use of mobile phone. Along
with this, the student finds themselves connected with their friends and they can also
form new friends with the help of mobile phone as this allow to access social media
anywhere across the world (Raza, 2017).
 Business: - Millions of people are connected with the business through mobile phones
and these are creating a day to day opportunities for the new youngsters. The business
activities are conducted on telephones which support the businessmen to perform the
dealing at domestic and international locations. Most of the people make use of video
conferencing facility while conducting the meeting.
 Enhance knowledge of students: - Mobile phones provide the advantage to students as
they can easily connect with their loved ones from different locations. These students can
fetch the information at the free time which helps them to enhance the knowledge.
Moreover, some of them use it for entrainment as they can chat, message, play games and
watch videos (Anshari, et al 2017).
 Hundreds of utilities: - Mobile phones offer hundreds of utilises to the users as it
includes map navigation, a camera which allows clicking an image of memorable
movements, calendars, time, weather forecast, alarms for meetings, and many other

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facilities. Along with this, there are numerous apps that can be installed for the
connecting with the loved ones with the help of video conferencing. Video conferencing
apps allow communicating with the friends or family members who are living abroad
(Ling, 2016).
The above given are few advantages of mobile phones which provide the support to the users
mainly to the students due to which the disadvantages of it can be avoided by the users. Though,
the fact is that they should look towards the disadvantages again because the major impact of the
mobile phone is on the health. The excessive use of mobile phones leads to many health as well
as social issues for the students which impact them badly.

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Conclusion
In the end, it can be concluded that the use of mobile phone is not only increasing in Malaysia
but it is also growing across the world. This excessive use makes the users or students addicted
towards the mobile phone due to which they can’t live without phones for a single day. This
addiction leads to the impact on their health and social issues which include eye strain, RF
radiation impact which leads to cancer, deaths due to use of mobile phone while driving, lack of
connection or relationship with family or friends and many others. Considering these aspects,
this can be said that there is need to bring the change in the world because mobile phones are
ruining the lives of several persons. It is recommended to the users and students to be careful
while making the use of mobile phone and some of the suggestion to come out of these
challenges are discussed. Along with this, this is a fact that advantages of a mobile phone are
overshadowed the disadvantage but one should try to understand that excessive use of mobile
phones is dangerous for their health due to which they should avoid using it unnecessarily.

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References
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health
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Ling, R. (2016). Mobile communication. In Dialogues on Mobile Communication. New York:
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