The cell phones have ingrained themselves as an addition to the routine. We rely on them for everything ranging from reading emails to sharing priceless moments on social media and utilizing GPS to play games. Even so, few people realize that these pretty and useful things may be also creating quite serious health related issues. Realizing the Unseen Perils of Your Cell Phone that might lead to changes in putting it on airplane mode or leaving it behind.
Radiation Exposure
Signals from mobile phones are radiofrequency (RF) radiation that happen when connecting to the network, or in processes of sending and receiving the data. The main issue here is the fact that some types of RF radiation have been the cause of various cancers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has assessed the worldwide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation as a hazard that is capable of causing cancer in humans.
Some studies have provided evidence of increased risks of certain verge brain and salivary gland cancer over a long time, but more research is still needed for this hypothesis. The need to keep RF devices at the proper distance from the head and the body increases the amount of RF radiation exposure. It is understood that we would not have to deal with the same consequences as adults as our brains are still developing.
Distraction Dangers
Radiation is not the one and only problem. The use of handphones is probably one of the biggest factors of traffic accidents all over the world which makes them dangerous. As per the data released by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), about 390,000 injuries are witnessed on the road on a yearly basis in the US because of cellphone use while driving.
People might seem busy and not aware of their surroundings when they walk on a street or a sidewalk with their eyes stuck to a cell phone screen. This may result in accidents as a result of ignorance of the surrounding environment including walking into traffic, trips and falls, or lack of awareness of nearby objects. Injuries resulting from “distracted walking,” involving taking on a cell phone, are happening more these days to be avoided.
Hacking and Data Breaches
In the era of the high digitalization, our cell phones store the valuable and private data from financial actions (emails, bank accounts etc.). Whereby, the hackers possess the skills to get the data. Spying has been reported to have culminated in phone hacking that allow hackers to listen to calls, access text messages, store photos and videos, and control cameras, and also track locations. Make sure you update the software of your cellphone often and don’t open those links and files that look suspicious because these may be harmful to your data.
Potential for Addiction
For instance, a number of studies show that frequent cell phone usage is likely to be as stimulating to the brain’s pleasure regions as other types of addictive behavior. For example, the instant notifications make us have more escapable rewards from our devices which encourage repetitive device-checking tendencies. With this, people may also find it difficult to concentrate to the extent of concentrating.
Such as phantom vibration, anxiety when the phone is not around, and loss of attention to the environment and sleep due to postponing bedtime activities (like phone calls and texting) are the signs of a possible addiction to your phone.
Protecting Yourself
Precautions that can help minimize cell phone risks:
- Cut talks hours: Try using speaker mode or a headset to keep the device far from your head.
- Provide more distance: Mobile phones should not be kept in the pocket or even on the body, if possible. Switch off your devices before leaving home even when you must take it along with you.
- Constrain kids’ exposure: Disallow their access until the consequences of ample exposure on their lives get fully understood.
- Besides, drivers should not use it: It is incredibly hazardous for all the people surrounding the cars.
- Continue avoiding other distractions: Learn how to watch your surroundings to prevent danger.
- Positive changes: See signs of addiction but be firm to ask for help if the cell phone becomes the main obstacle to health or relationships.
- Take the lower radiation devices: For instance, compare the ratings of respective phones before buying new ones.
In Conclusion
The possibilities of the cell phones in performing communication are practically countless and they are full of various beneficial qualities. Unfortunately, the flip side is that we should be careful and not excessively use them. After implementing the necessary preventive measures, sunlight or radiation exposure can be safely done, however, caution is advised. While the advent of cell phones has brought many benefits, we also need to be mindful of the costs to safety, health, and mental well-being that this technology may entail.