Study on Smartphones: Boon or Curse? Analysis of Impacts

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of smartphones, exploring whether they are a boon or a curse. It begins with an introduction to smartphones, highlighting their capabilities and operating systems. The discussion section delves into the various advantages, such as communication, internet access, camera features, entertainment, education, and GPS functionality. The essay also acknowledges the disadvantages, including cost, social isolation, distraction, health impacts (eye strain, sleep disruption, and potential health risks from radiation), privacy concerns, and the spread of uncensored content. The conclusion summarizes the dual nature of smartphones, emphasizing their utility while acknowledging potential drawbacks. The essay cites several academic sources to support its arguments, providing a balanced perspective on the impact of smartphones on modern life.

Running head: STUDY ON SMARTPHONES: BOON OR CURSE
STUDY ON SMARTPHONES: BOON OR CURSE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1STUDY ON SMARTPHONES: BOON OR CURSE
Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Discussion:.................................................................................................................................2
Advantages of smartphones:..................................................................................................3
Disadvantages of a smartphone:.............................................................................................4
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................5
References:.................................................................................................................................5

2STUDY ON SMARTPHONES: BOON OR CURSE
Introduction:
A smartphone is one type of cell phone that is able to make a call and send messages.
A smartphone allows a user to browse the internet, and it can run much software like
computers. The touch screen is one of the main attributes of a smartphone. By using touch
screen user is able to interact with the phone. Many games, banking and personal application
available on the internet that can run on a smartphone. Like a computer, a smartphone has an
operating system. The most common mobile operating system is android, IOS and windows.
In 1992, IBM first introduced the smartphone. The name of the first smartphone is Simon
Personal Communicator. This device is able to receive and send emails. It has software like
calculator, notepad and address book.
Discussion:
Smartphone has many useful features that define them more than a cell phone.
Smartphone has capabilities like make phone calls and messages. It is able to store, take and
display the pictures and videos. User can access the internet and use mail facilities. GPS is
one of the most useful features of a smartphone. GPS is able to track the locations. This is
very important for navigation. Music can be played on the smartphone [1]. It can record and
play audios. A smartphone can display the date and time. It can provide weather information
and temperature. The advanced smartphone has a feature like voice reorganization and it can
save information in notepad. Popular virtual assistant like Cortana, Google Assistant and Siri
are available in the smartphone. Flashlight, calculator and radio is a useful feature for day to
day use [2]. Nowadays, the foldable smartphone is available in the market. To store data and
application smartphone use is flash memory. This kind of memory is inbuilt and it cannot be
removed from a smartphone. Some of the smartphones have a slot for memory card. By using
a memory card, the user can store more data into the smartphone. A smartphone can be used

3STUDY ON SMARTPHONES: BOON OR CURSE
for personal use as well as business use. It is an essential part of modern life. A smartphone is
built to connected people, and it is helpful for an efficient and easier life. Smartphone has
application for health. It can track or monitor sleep, body measurement. It has a specific app
for excise mental health. A wearable device like a smart watch, smart glass can monitor a
user’s health and track the heart rate of the user and send the information to the phone.
Another useful feature is a mobile payment. By using a smartphone user can save their card
details and use smartphone like their card. Many big organisation provides smartphones to its
employee. An employee can use smartphones for work [3]. A smartphone is smaller than a
computer and it anybody can use it while travelling. By using a smartphone, a user can use
their Bluetooth headphone, wire speakers and charging devices. Smartphone has a rich
resolution screen. The LCD screen is used in a smartphone, but now OLED displays
becoming famous day by day. Many customers prefer OLED screen over the LCD screen.
Most of the smartphone has a camera. The camera is one of the main attributes in a
smartphone. By using a camera, the user can capture the picture. People are expecting a
powerful CPU that can perform many complex tasks. Another important attribute of a mobile
phone is RAM. Higher ram can run a mobile faster and smoother. A smartphone can work as
a mini computer [4].
Advantages of smartphones:
The smartphone is changing people’s lives day by day. The advantages of
smartphones are discussed below:
A smartphone can be used as a communication device. A smartphone can improve
communication between peoples. By using text messages, call, chat people can communicate
with each other. By using a smartphone, people can surf the internet. It has an inbuilt browser
that allows a person to access the web anytime. People can get much information by
accessing the internet. Latest news can be collected by surfing the internet. The camera is a

4STUDY ON SMARTPHONES: BOON OR CURSE
very important feature on any smartphone [5]. By using a smartphone, people can take
pictures or record a video. One of the main sources of entertainment is the smartphone.
People can play games, watch movies, can read books on the smartphone. Smartphone plays
an essential role in education. With the help of the internet, people can learn new things on
the smartphone. Children can learn many things by surfing the internet [6]. A smartphone can
perform almost anything with the help of an application. In Google play over 2 million
application is available, and 1.5 million application is available in the Apple app store. A user
can book train, Flight and movie ticket by using application. Almost every smartphone has a
GPS equipped. By using this technology, people can search for a location all over the world.
GPS plays a vital role in transportation. With the help of a smartphone, people can do almost
anything without knowing anyone [7]. User can capture their valuable moment and store the
picture in a picture gallery with a password. A smartphone can store the document as a memo
and user can create alarms, store the business record in their smartphone. A smartphone is
very helpful in an emergency situation.
Disadvantages of a smartphone:
There are many disadvantages to having a smartphone. Disadvantages of a
smartphone are discussed below:
A smartphone can be costly. The high end or advanced smartphone is expensive and
all application is not free in the store. Some application needs to purchase from the app store
to avail all the facilities [8]. Excessive use of a smartphone can make a people separate from
the social world. One of the main reason of distraction is smartphones. Notifications, text
messages and updates can be the reason for distraction. It can affect productivity. A
smartphone can make a negative impact on people’s health [8]. The radiofrequency of a
smartphone is extremely dangerous for human tissues. Human tissue can absorb the
radiofrequency. High uses of a smartphone can effect on sleep. These are the common side

5STUDY ON SMARTPHONES: BOON OR CURSE
effect of using a smartphone. Smartphone produce HEV rays and that can effect on people’s
eyes. Most of the people are check their phone after they wake up. There are many privacy
risks available in a smartphone. Hackers are always trying to steal information from people’s
smartphone. People need too always alert while they are accessing the internet. Uncensored
content is one of the main disadvantages of a smartphone. A child can see the uncensored
content from the internet. Spending lots of time in a smartphone can create neck pain.
Unwanted pop-up advertisement can prevent child growth.
Conclusion:
A smartphone is the most useful devices in everyday life. It allows users to surf the
internet. Smartphone apps allow the users to perform many tasks. People can carry thousands
of pictures, music and document in their pocket. By using a smartphone call, message, email
and voice mail can be done. User can access the social networking application and website
my using smartphone applications. A smartphone can perform the role of the camera,
calendar, alarm clock and notepad. Though smartphone has many privacy issues overall, this
is the best utility for many people in their daily life. It became very popular in few years.
Smartphones makes our future very promising.

6STUDY ON SMARTPHONES: BOON OR CURSE
References:
[1] D. Wang, Z. Xiang and D.R. Fesenmaier. Smartphone use in everyday life and
travel. Journal of travel research, 55(1), pp.52-63, 2016.
[2] S. Haug, R.P. Castro, M. Kwon, A. Filler, T. Kowatsch and M.P. Schaub. Smartphone use
and smartphone addiction among young people in Switzerland. Journal of behavioral
addictions, 4(4), pp.299-307, 2015.
[3] J. Poushter. Smartphone ownership and internet usage continues to climb in emerging
economies. Pew Research Center, 22, pp.1-44, 2016.
[4] J.P. Higgins. Smartphone applications for patients' health and fitness. The American
journal of medicine, 129(1), pp.11-19, 2016.
[5] M. Samaha and N.S. Hawi. Relationships among smartphone addiction, stress, academic
performance, and satisfaction with life. Computers in Human Behavior, 57, pp.321-325,
2016.
[6] M. Bian, and L. Leung. Linking loneliness, shyness, smartphone addiction symptoms, and
patterns of smartphone use to social capital. Social Science Computer Review, 33(1), pp.61-
79, 2015.
[7] Y.C. Chang, K.C.Chen, W.T.Chen, Y.S.Cai, and C.C.R.Kuo. The Influence of
Smartphone Use on Undergraduate Students’ Self-Directed Learning. American Journal of
Occupational Therapy, 71(4_Supplement_1), pp.7111510204p1-7111510204p1, 2017.
[8] A. Dillon, M. Kelly, I.H. Robertson and D.A. Robertson. Smartphone applications
utilizing biofeedback can aid stress reduction. Frontiers in psychology, 7, p.832, 2016.