Are you convinced that smoking is a killer? Consider the negative effect of smartphones. Or is technology able to control us unknowingly? Technology has seen a boom in the last decade, with a particular focus on mobile technology. Although smartphones have made our lives easier and brought some benefits, the negative effects of mobile technology on student performance, self-regulation, and social interaction has had a detrimental impact on their academic performance. Smartphones have a greater negative impact than their positive effects on student life. First, smartphones have a negative impact on students’ education. This is particularly true when it comes to grammar and language. Opponents claim that students learn better writing skills when they use smartphone apps with innovative language.
They may be correct in a limited degree. Their argument was that smartphones have had a positive impact on students’ pronunciations and their vocabulary. However, students’ spelling and grammar have been affected by texting or using ‘abbreviations’ in SMS. Students are also distracted by their smartphones, which can distract them from paying attention to the lesson. Many students are unable to turn off their phones during class. Some studies have shown that smartphones can actually improve a student’s ability to think critically. While this might be true, the discussion will not address whether smartphones can enhance a student’s critical thinking. It is about whether smartphones distract students from their learning and impact their academic performance. Second, smartphones can affect students’ social interactions. “Several researchers identified social influences as a key construct, which influences both use intention and behavior. They are therefore important in consumer adoption.” Smartphone users can become self-sufficient, especially for students, who don’t need to be accompanied by anyone. They spend most time on social media, such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. They build friendships and relationships but mostly in a virtual space. Students may lose interest in communicating with their instructors. They may choose to communicate with their instructors via chat, whether they are sending messages or expressing their opinions. Furthermore, smartphones can be connected to the Internet, which makes things even more complicated.
Students, for example, don’t bother asking their professors hard questions. They instead use Google to quickly search for answers. These answers, though taken from the internet, might not be the best answer. The smartphone can have a negative impact on a student’s mental health and social life. They become less able to think and use their brains as much to solve complex questions. They use Google to search for everything they need. As they lose the desire to communicate with others, they will grow more self-centered. They may choose to be alone over social interaction, which is a frightening reality. The smartphones are starting to degrade our students’ self-regulation abilities. According to Wajeeha Andam and Imtiaz Arif, in 2014, smartphones accounted for only 15% of Pakistan’s mobile industry. Smartphone demand soared rapidly after three major mobile network operators opened their new networks to Pakistan. It is anticipated that this number will reach 50% in a year. Perhaps it is this positive outlook that United Mobile recently launched its very own smartphone.
In India’s telecoms imports, there was also optimism from mobile phone makers in anticipation of the spectrum approval. In February 2014, mobile phone imports rose 20% to Rs 6 Billion, compared to Rs 5 Billion in February 2013. Some may argue that smartphones offer them great advantages. You can connect with your friends easily via the internet, and at a much lower cost. However, (CHI, 2007), found the opposite. An interview was conducted with students from a Korean university about their smartphone addiction. The results were shocking.
The average student answered that their phones were still being used even though they wanted it to. They continued to use their smartphones involuntarily. They would continue to use them involuntarily, which shows their lack of self-control. Instead of being in control of the device themselves, the smartphone assumed control. It’s as if smartphones are our only dependency. We no longer control our destiny. Einstein once stated, “Imagination matters more than knowledge.” Knowledge is not unlimited. The world is encircled by imagination.” Technology has encircled the world’s imagination and knowledge. We are now the slaves to our own custom-made gadgets. We trust technology more than we trust ourselves.
