Again, according to Wikipedia, "from 1990 to 2010, worldwide mobile phone subscriptions grew from 12.4 million to over 4.6 billion, penetrating the developing economies and reaching the bottom of the economic pyramid.". If you consider only teenagers and adults, this probably means that over 90% of the world population owns a mobile phone, making it the most widespread technological invention in today's world. There are even many areas in the world that are deprived of land-line telephone infrastructure, relying exclusively on the mobile networks for their communication needs.
Since its wide acceptance after the introduction of the second generation (2G) mobile network in the early 90's, we have seen progressive miniaturization of the mobile phone, leading to very small sets, marvels of technological achievement. However, from a basic but extremely useful communication and messaging tool, the mobile phone has evolved in the last years into a social and entertaining object. This new trend resulted in an increase of its size, with larger and better screens, running under sophisticated operating systems. Nowadays, the mobile phone could be renamed as "mobile computer" since it provides its user almost the same capabilities of a small laptop.
In the same way as the computer, and inheriting most of its technological advancements, the mobile phone hype took over the world in vertiginous speed. Due to its portable size, it became a very personal object that is carried by everyone, everywhere. The big question here is: how did the addition of mobile phones to our lives influence our social behaviour?
The truth is that I'm horrified, everywhere I go and look around, by the manner people handle their mobiles. Mobile phones are a technological gift that became a critical tool in keeping us safe and connected. The device itself is not the issue; it is the way we handle it that is.
There are some mobile phone ethics, or etiquette, to be found in various sites of the Internet, but they deal mostly with practical issues. However, social issues that arise from indiscriminate and disrespectful use of the phone, especially in public places, are much more important than those. Some of these issues can be very annoying, while others are just plain dangerous. Any tool will be as good as the usage we make of it, and mobile phones are no exception to this rule...
10 things you should not be doing with your mobile phone
1. Put the loudest setting of ringtones for the "general" profile, or choose an annoying and very lively melody.
2. Speak loudly when talking at the phone in public places; assume that everyone has nothing else to do and is really interested in hearing your conversation.
3. Don't switch off the phone, and avoid selecting the "silent" profile, in places where silence must be observed, such as hospitals, theatres, cinemas, libraries, churches, etc.
4. Promptly answer a call while you're driving, particularly when you do not have a mobile phone car-kit installed. You're absolutely convinced that it is not dangerous at all. But beware: in many countries, such behaviour is not understood; it is considered illegal and passive of expensive fines, if you're caught.
5. Talk for a long time on the mobile phone: you know very well that the so-called harmful effects of radiation to your health are pure rubbish, and using a land-line set, even if it's cheaper, is not that fun.
6. Walk outside with your head down, fooling around with your set, reading emails, checking Twitter or Facebook, completely unaware of the surroundings, crossing streets and bicycle paths, considering it perfectly safe. Nevertheless, just in case, make sure you have a comprehensive medical insurance...
7. Never use SMS for a short communication, even if it's cheaper and less obtrusive.
8. Never take advantage of voicemail and leave a short message when you are not able to reach a person. Why bother to be polite and give a clue about the reason for your call?
9. When you advertise your phone number to someone, you're telling this person that you are available to communicate 24x7, be it live or through SMS and voicemail. Make sure to give your number even to those you do not intend to call back.
10. Go ahead, while busy talking to someone in front of you, and answer the phone without asking permission. Fundamentally, proper mobile phone usage is nothing more than common sense courtesy. But why should you care?
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