by Maria Bello
Whether we're on the dinner table, on a school bus, or in a classroom, kids are mostly always plugged in on their phone, not realizing what they’re miss out on. On the other hand, we are told that phones help us in so many ways, such as school work, important information, and communication. Phones do help us, but it also changes our lives and disconnects us from many people and the world.
This issue takes place in so many places because everyone uses a cell phone either to call or text, but it also can put us in danger. For example, doctors and scientists from Harvard and Yale medical schools warned that pregnant mothers should limit their unborn babies exposure to potentially harmful radiation by keeping cell phones away from their tummies because of the possible impact on brain development.
This issue takes place in so many places because everyone uses a cell phone either to call or text, but it also can put us in danger. For example, doctors and scientists from Harvard and Yale medical schools warned that pregnant mothers should limit their unborn babies exposure to potentially harmful radiation by keeping cell phones away from their tummies because of the possible impact on brain development.
According to Laura Barnhardt, it also can put young kids in danger. For example, on November 9th, a 12-year-old girl named Perry Hall went missing. She was found in North Carolina with a 32-year-old man that she had been communicating with through KIK messenger. The police then charged the man for trying to meet with the 12-year-old for sex.
Kids and teens also spend too much time plugged on their cell phones that they forget to do their school work and start to get bad grades and fall behind on their school work.
For example, my parents gave my brother a phone when he was 10 years old. At first, he used it only for less than an hour. He felt really excited, and the first things he downloaded were music and games. The phone did help him with his school work and for him to communicate, but over time he started to use it more because he started to get more interested in finding more new things. He stopped doing things that he used to do, such as playing sports, playing music and doing his school work.
Sometimes when we had family dinners or family parties, my brothers, sisters, and cousins would all spend the whole time on their phones not talking to each other. As time passed by, this was how all our family reunions were. Today, the situation keeps getting worst. There is less taking amongst each other and our parents don’t like the fact that the phone is disconnecting us as a family.
In a school survey, 41 people responded no when asked the question, "Do you think that teens and kids should try to get more interested in other activities such as sports, reading and studying other than being on their phones?"
Another question was, "On average, how many hours do teens and kids spend on their phone?" 33 out of 66 said more than 6 hours.
Mr. Love, Tech/Design teacher at Yerba Buena High School, said that the cell phones changed his kids’ lives because when they used to play outside, they had an amazing time as a family. When his kids got their first cell phones, they didn’t want to play as a family anymore. Instead of going outside, they only wanted to be on their phones. Now, he said that they spend about 5 or more hours on their phones.
Cell phones do help us a lot throughout the years, but it also disconnects us with our world. Cell phone use can cause a lot of damage in the long run, especially for someone at a young age. Imposing strict guidelines on the use of cell phones can help kids rely less on their phones and more on what the world has to offer for them.
Kids and teens also spend too much time plugged on their cell phones that they forget to do their school work and start to get bad grades and fall behind on their school work.
For example, my parents gave my brother a phone when he was 10 years old. At first, he used it only for less than an hour. He felt really excited, and the first things he downloaded were music and games. The phone did help him with his school work and for him to communicate, but over time he started to use it more because he started to get more interested in finding more new things. He stopped doing things that he used to do, such as playing sports, playing music and doing his school work.
Sometimes when we had family dinners or family parties, my brothers, sisters, and cousins would all spend the whole time on their phones not talking to each other. As time passed by, this was how all our family reunions were. Today, the situation keeps getting worst. There is less taking amongst each other and our parents don’t like the fact that the phone is disconnecting us as a family.
In a school survey, 41 people responded no when asked the question, "Do you think that teens and kids should try to get more interested in other activities such as sports, reading and studying other than being on their phones?"
Another question was, "On average, how many hours do teens and kids spend on their phone?" 33 out of 66 said more than 6 hours.
Mr. Love, Tech/Design teacher at Yerba Buena High School, said that the cell phones changed his kids’ lives because when they used to play outside, they had an amazing time as a family. When his kids got their first cell phones, they didn’t want to play as a family anymore. Instead of going outside, they only wanted to be on their phones. Now, he said that they spend about 5 or more hours on their phones.
Cell phones do help us a lot throughout the years, but it also disconnects us with our world. Cell phone use can cause a lot of damage in the long run, especially for someone at a young age. Imposing strict guidelines on the use of cell phones can help kids rely less on their phones and more on what the world has to offer for them.