Mobile phones have come a long way since they were first used in the 1980’s. They started as devices which you could only use to make a call (along with just 30 minutes talk time) and looked like this:
You weren’t exactly able to put this in your pocket (they weighed as much as a bag of sugar) and they cost thousands of pounds!
In the 1990’s, mobile phones looked more like this:
These were more useful because as well as using it to make calls, you could also send text messages and even play basic games like snake! Ask your parents, maybe they remember having a phone like this!
So, although these phones were useful, they were not really anything like the smart phone that you and your friends have today. Today’s mobile phones allow you to make calls and send text messages, but they also connect to the internet, allowing you to play games and check your social media – amongst a multitude of other things – anywhere, anytime you like.
However, having all this technology in your pocket can come with its own dangers…
Health Risks:
When you spend too much time on your mobile phone, you are at risk of becoming sick because of it. These could include having more headaches, memory loss or you may have trouble sleeping.
As you can see from the above information, mobile phones have not been around long enough for any long term effects to have been observed, so no one knows quite what affect they could have on your health by the time you reach middle age. With this in mind, you should make sure that you limit the time you are spending using your phone. Put it down from time to time and actually talk to someone in person without the constant distraction of your phone. Try it you might just like it!!
The Trouble with Communication
Mobile phones are a great way to keep in touch with people you know, but you must make sure that you keep your phone number private and only give it out to people who you really want to have it.
If your number gets into the wrong hands, then you run the risk of receiving anonymous text messages or prank phone calls and could leave you feeling very anxious each time your phone goes off.
Something else which you need to consider when you are communicating by messaging is what you write. When you only communicate by messaging, you must be mindful that the person reading it may read it in a different way than what you meant. Because they cannot see you, they do not have facial expression or tone of voice to help them understand exactly what it is you wanted to say. These two things are very important in communication and without it is where misunderstandings can happen.
Sexting
All phones now-a-days come with a built-in camera so people are taking more photos than they ever have because it is so easy to do. However, with the pressures of the media (famous people on TV, films and in magazines) and the need to look perfect, many people feel like they need to make themselves look perfect and take pictures of themselves (selfies) to share with their friends.
This may become a problem when you are tempted to take more private pictures of yourself to share, and this is never a good idea. Even if you are being pressured into take a picture like this (maybe everyone else is doing it and you want to ‘fit-in’ with them), you must always be mindful that it is always the wrong thing to do.
‘It’s only a picture, what harm can it do?’
Well, once you have taken that picture and sent it (even if it’s to your best friend or boyfriend) you can never get it back again, and can you really trust that person not to send it on to their friends? Always think – Would I want my family or teachers to see this picture? Because these things get shared so many times, they may just get to see it!
It is also against the law if you do any of the following things, and you will end up with a criminal record if you:
- Take an explicit photo of yourself or a friend;
- Share (post on your Social Media, send via email or text) an explicit photo of a child (even if it’s between you and your friends of the same age);
- Download or store an explicit photo of a child (even if they said you could).
Have a look at these videos and follow the story of Amy, when she suddenly receives a text from a boy in year 11 at her school…
Seems like Ben really likes Amy!
Watch more….
Jessica is Amy’s best friend, but she shouldn’t have given her number out without her knowing!
There’s more…
Oh dear, this isn’t looking good for Amy! She’s clearly thinking about it, but what will she do?
Poor Amy, he’s now sending loads of texts trying to pressure her into doing something she doesn’t want to do! She does like him but she knows if she sends a picture that its wrong…if she doesn’t send one will he still like her?
Well done Amy!! She may like him, but if he’s going to pressure her into doing something and call her names if she doesn’t then he must be a bit of loser!!