Phones Aiding Communication

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nokia 6210 (2000) + nokia 3310 (2000) (source)

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Vintage Telephones

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wavy red phone found in BC, Canada

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Introducing the Smartphone

Smartphones have transformed people’s lives in today’s society by allowing communication and education at our fingertips. I got my first phone in the sixth grade, it was purple, sparkly, had flowers on it, and slid to access a keyboard. Ever since then have used phones to communicate with people through messages, social media, and even games. I remember making a snapchat for the first time, and using all of the silly filters with my friends and family! I chose to use phones as my cultural and social object because I have seen how it has aided me and the people in my life from it growing up in our hands. My phone continues to be special to me because while I am over 800 miles away from my home in Houston, Texas, and I use my phone everyday to text my mom about school, to tell my grandparents I miss them, and to text my best friend pretty much everything I do. By using my phone, I am able to keep connections due to having this easy access to communications. Furthermore, I use my phone often to get assistance or even answers. In the mornings I check the weather without having to go outside, and then during class I am able to quickly look up the definitions of words I do not understand during lectures. From when I was eight, looking up how to do nail designs, to now finding a mathematical formula I forgot for my calculus homework, my phone is always there. Overall, I can always rely on my phone to make a fast call, or look up what book I have a quote from. Phones are extremely beneficial to society, and my goal is to show my audience this- how smartphones have aided in the communication and education in people’s lives.

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Communication With Phones

Smartphones have transformed the face of communication in America. From a flip phone to now an entire eight inch long screen, they have allowed people to communicate with others that are far away, and have even been crucial for the widespread of news during cultural events that have happened. Phones are smarter than ever, and give ample opportunities for us to use them. Smartphones are “a way for people to connect with each other” and “ to stay informed” from a distance (Gardner). Geography and distance is no longer the barrier that it was because now it is easier than ever to reach out to people and keep them updated. “Political movements have begun and been spread” due to widespread smartphone communication (Gardner). This is important because it keeps people caught up on things that are happening around the country, and spreads news to everyone. This brings attention to protests or other important things that could be happening hundreds of miles away from someone. Smartphones provide us with the tool of “constant communication in ways that Alexander Graham Bell probably never considered in his wildest dreams” (Gardner). In today’s world, smartphones give people the ability to communicate from wherever and with whoever about whatever!

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Education From Smartphones

Education through smartphones has made information available at anyone’s fingertips. Phones give people the ability to educate themselves on anything and help or answers are available in seconds. Specifically, students are able to reach information whenever they need it because “access to any book or educational site” is available “within seconds and at any time of the day” (Pushpraj). Smartphones take a whole new stance on being able to learn and are more modern because there is no more need for “searching for books in physical libraries” instead, “type the book you want, and it will appear in front of you within no time” (Pushpraj). Smartphones are the most accessible and quickest option to retrieve information. Yes, field trips to the library were a great time in elementary school when we could check out a book, but now we do not even have to leave our seat to have access to information like that. “Thanks to new technologies, learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom” (Pushpraj). You do not have to be a student or enrolled in school to have the opportunity to learn extraordinary amounts about things. Everything is available through smartphones. They have various ways to educate people and have infinite information to share. Smartphones have made education easier than ever, and are extremely beneficial in society.

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Social Media on Smartphones In the seventh grade I updated my relationship status on facebook. I used social media to post incredibly edited selfies of my dog and I, as well as spongebob memes. Let’s just say that social media has come a long way over the years. Although posting those kinds of things are still super fun, now social media can be used to stay updated on political figures, businesses, and more! Social media is a modern way for people to positively promote themselves or their businesses using smartphones to communicate with and educate their audiences. Phones have made social media accessible and popular, so much so that professional organizations are using it for themselves and their employees. For example, “employees create, circulate, share, and exchange information about their work through individually owned accounts in a variety of formats and with multiple communities” (Pekkala,Van Zoonen). This brings positive attention to companies and reaches a wider group of people to draw in. “Organizations are increasingly adopting social media as a formal communication channel” to appeal to customers (Pekkala,Van Zoonen). They are taking advantage of the rise of smartphone users as well as working with social media. Smartphones, along with social media, have made it easier for professionals to display themselves and their company. Maybe these companies would thrive on social media even more by posting selfies of themselves with their dogs!

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The Role of Smartphones During the COVID-19 Pandemic

My phone almost single handedly got me through quarantine. I relied on it to talk with my friends who I could not see for months. I had never been so separate from the world, but having my phone made it bearable. However, by taking a step back, I am so grateful for smartphones because of their role during this time - their role aside from just keeping me in touch with friends. During the COVID-19 pandemic smartphone communication transformed the way people were able to receive care and get updates during the pandemic with the lack of in-person contact. This is important because it gives people the ability to be taken care of, be checked up on, and receive medical assistance entirely through phone communication. Smartphones were crucial during this time because “phone calls were the only means by which [doctors] could update the families of patients” (Sindhu). With the lack of in person contact, people resulted in phones and it had positive outcomes. Now, smartphones are responsible for “allowing patients to continue to receive regular care as the pandemic rages” and are declared “an essential aspect of modern patient care.” (Sindhu). Although phone communication was beneficial before the COVID-19 pandemic, it really showed how smartphones have evolved into the incredible tool they are today. They play a major role in mental and physical health, and are very important in the medical field to aid with patients' health as well as update families.

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Conclusion

Throughout my life, I have seen the advancements in phones. I almost feel like it grew up with me! Taking time and seeing how far they have come, and seeing their ability is breathtaking. Smartphones have had a crucial impact in the ability to communicate and learn in today’s society, whether that be shown through a quick text, a social media post, or during a pandemic. Smartphones have changed the way people are able to communicate. It allows people to talk to each other from far away with little to no complication, which was especially shown during the COVID-19 pandemic when smartphone communication was even used to care for patients and give updates to their family members since in person meetings were not possible. Phones also have transformed the way companies market themselves. Social media has become very popular with smartphones, so businesses rely on that to promote themselves. Smartphones have also altered the way people can access information. Now, any question can be answered in seconds and education is accessible to more people than ever. In conclusion, smartphones have positively affected today's world with all of its amazing features.