Cell phones have become a very important part of our daily life. Back to the 20th century, the primary reason for using phones was to call somebody. However, cell phones are now used for more than a purpose, such as listening to music, and playing games. The evolution of phones changed the culture of the US citizens in several ways, such as texting instead of phone-calling, using cell phones while eating at the table, using phones during work time, and staying connected to the world.

In the days before cell phones, people used to communicate by using landline phones. During this time, people had to memorize all of their important phone numbers because landline phones couldn’t save phone numbers. People used to carry with them a phonebook that used to save cell phone numbers, and phonebook was used by the people who had a huge number of phone numbers that couldn’t been memorized. Also, people had to leave their houses early before any kind of meeting because they couldn’t contact each other if they were in transit or late because of the traffic. People had to use public phone boxes if they were late to meetings or needed to let other people know that they’re at certain place.  However, cell phones changed the culture of the US. citizens by different kind of ways. For example, kids in today’s world can stay outside for hours as long as they keep in touch with their parents by a text message or a phone call. Back to the 19th century, people used to answer all phone calls because they couldn’t tell who it was. However, people changed over the years after the invention of the Nokia Candybar phone: people didn’t have to answer all kind of phone calls. In addition, they were able to wait for the voice mail. Clearly, people started having more control over the years on things, such as meetings and time. For example, people can order food online, video call people who live thousands miles away, and end relationships or meetings by sending a text.

“The cell phone has become the adult’s transitional object, replacing the toddler’s teddy bear for comfort and a sense of belonging” (Margaret Heffernan).  In today’s world, It’s very common to see several members of a family owning a smart cell phone and phone companies, such as Apple and Samsung are making millions of dollars from that. “Today nearly two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, and 19% of Americans rely to some degree on a smartphone for accessing online services and information and for staying connected to the world around them — either because they lack broadband at home, or because they have few options for online access other than their cell phone” (Smith, US Smart Phone). There are several advantages and disadvantages of smart cell phones. For example, some teens use cell phones to cheat at school. “More than one third of teens with cellphones admit to having stored information on them to look at during a test or texting friends about answers, a new survey finds” (Miners). On the other hand, there are some good uses of smart cell phones, such studying and taking tests. For example, some people use the app Quizlet on phones so they prepare for an exam or a quiz. Also, other people use the calculator in smart cell phones to do some math work. In other words, the original purpose of a mobile phone was to communicate to others. However, technology changed phones into very smart phones which is helping us to control everything around by a text message, phone call, or a video call.

 When I was in the 4th grade, My parents bought me Nokia 1600. I was able to call and text my parents. After three years, my dad gave me his phone, Nokia 5300, that had three games. Currently, I have an iphone, and it’s capable of playing games, storing music, and do my homework. In other words, cell phones gave us the power to control everything around us by a touch on the screen. Also, cell phones changed us socially and made us close to friends and families who live thousands of miles away. For example, I can facetime my family who live in Syria for hours and anytime I want. Clearly, cell phones have become a very important part of our daily life and changed the culture of people by texting insteading of talking on the phone and controlling things, such as time and relationships by sending a text.

Bibliography

“U.S. Smartphone Use in 2015.” Pew Research Center Internet Science Tech RSS. N.p., 01 Apr. 2015. Web. 25 May 2016. <http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/us-smartphone-use-in-2015/>.

What’s the Right Age for a Cell Phone? “When Should You Get Your Kid a Cell Phone?” PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 25 May 2016. <http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/article-when-should-you-get-kid-cell-phone.html>.