on smartphones and the average modern family

[3JulianG]

While I was doing a DBQ about economic growth in the United States for US History, I stumbled upon a quote about telegraphs in the late 1800's which humored me: "... it led to an acceleration in the pace and stress of life. One Harassed New York executive complained in 1868: "The businessman of the present day must be continually on the jump. The slow express train will not answer his purpose, and the poor merchant has no other way in which to work secure a living for his family. He MUST use the telegraph." The idea that a wealthy man in 1868 felt stressed by the pace at which life moved for him is relatively hilarious. Communicating with someone overseas took minutes for him, and today I can communicate in seconds with someone in real time with audio and video almost anywhere in the world from my phone. One of the first things that I would do with a time machine would be to show him how quickly life moves today thanks to technology and see what he has to say about that.


Further googling into the matter of cellphones led to me the fact that in America 84% of households that make less than $30,000 a year still have cellphones (and by the way, as of 2013 more than 50% of wage earning Americans make less than $30,000 a year). So to recap, families that are on food stamps are paying an average of $50 a month per person for cellphone service (almost all cellphone service providers only provide services which have data, making it more expensive). I cannot tell if the idea that modern families have become so dependent on their smartphones and the ability to have internet anywhere that they will pay for the service no matter their financial situation or the idea that cellphone/cellular carriers have such a clear monopoly on the cellphone industry and exploit even the poorest of families in the United States is more worrying.


As of January 2014:

- 90% of American adults have a cell phone

- 58% of American adults have a smartphone

- 32% of American adults own an e-reader

- 42% of American adults own a tablet computer

Attachments:

[10BEthan]

I think that technology defines a society and we have experienced growth of society through technology. in order to stay "current" and "connected" in this age, people are forced into using cell phones which is the gold standard around the world for communication and information acquiring. While it is unfortunate that people are forced into participating in the growth of monopolies, it is crucial that people stay in the growth and omnipresence of technology around the world. At the same time, people of lower incomes would certainly be "better off" by using the money they use to pay for their phone bills for more necessary things, such as paying of mortgages and student loans, but this sadly sacrifices their social standing as our modern society has built our social status on the statuses we make on social media. There are more downsides than upsides for this many people to own phones when their money would be much better spent on more important things for their well being, although it depends on what one's definition of "well being" is.

[3taliac]

Cell phones and other technology devices have become integral to our everyday lives. When cell phones were first invented, no one ever thought that they would go beyond calling. Today, we can’t live without them. It’s our way to communicate: whether it’s through calling, texting, video chatting, or posting on all sorts of social media. In order to stay in touch, you need to have a device. Our communication has led to our lives revolving around cell phones, tablets, computers, etc.
The world is constantly improving and inventing countless devices, which broaden the spectrum of our communication. Most people want to keep widening their range of contact by having the latest technology. And although as Julian said, it’s beneficial to tech mogul monopolies like Apple, the cost for these gadgets is not cheap. So those families who buy these products have chosen to spend a good sum of their paycheck to expense their communication and interaction practices.
I personally think this is not very logical to spend money on something that is un-necessary to one’s survival. The money could be going towards rent or food. But I guess it’s how you define survival.

[10hdakembay]

Some people are forced into having the newest technology for work, and then there are others who want it just to show off their wealth. Most jobs now a days require a cell phone and having a smart phone isn't technically a necessity, but it definitely helps. Now kids on the other hand, do not really need smart phones, and I am talking about five year olds. I see this kids on the street with the newest I-phone, and I'm just like, why. I understand if their parents want them to have a phone, but it doesn't have to be the I-phone 6 plus. Most of these children barely even know how to read, and just use their phone for Clash of Clans. Frankly I think paying four hundred dollars for your child to play Indie games is a huge waste of money. I didn't have a smart phone until high school, and I actually needed it, because many teachers started saying take out your phone and google this. If it wasn't for a smartphone being a necessity for me I probably still wouldn't have one. So to adults having a smartphone for work I'm fine with that, but a child who hasn't even started school yet doesn't need one.