Mobile Phones and today’s youth. Mr Wilson’s ERC (Secondary 4)

Mobile Phones and Mobile Phones and today’s youth.today’s youth.

Mr Wilson’s ERC (Secondary 4)Mr Wilson’s ERC (Secondary 4)

A True Story (or maybe not?)A True Story (or maybe not?)

An intern (think Mr. Raymond, but with a An intern (think Mr. Raymond, but with a degree) got fired from her position as an degree) got fired from her position as an assistant to a VP at Timex because her assistant to a VP at Timex because her asked her for the time of day… and she asked her for the time of day… and she checked her mobile phone.checked her mobile phone.

The first true cellular phonesThe first true cellular phones

This was designed to be integratedin a vehicle. (1964)

This is the first commercially viablecellular phone, the Motorola DynaTac.(1983)

From cellular to digitalFrom cellular to digital

In the 1990, computers become small and In the 1990, computers become small and powerful enough to power phones.powerful enough to power phones.

What we are using today are therefore not What we are using today are therefore not cell phones, technically.cell phones, technically.

Has more computingpower than this:

Multiple FunctionsMultiple Functions

Now mobiles phones are so powerful, they Now mobiles phones are so powerful, they even have multiple functions, like:even have multiple functions, like:

TextingTexting Photos & VideosPhotos & Videos Internet BrowsingInternet Browsing Playing MusicPlaying Music GamesGames

Forward in timeForward in time

Because computers are more and more Because computers are more and more powerful, those that run mobile phones powerful, those that run mobile phones become cheaper and cheaper.become cheaper and cheaper.

It takes less money to get more… It takes less money to get more… eventually even teens and children can get eventually even teens and children can get a mobile phone.a mobile phone.

Some families do not even have a land Some families do not even have a land line anymore.line anymore.

I feel saferI feel safer

Safety is often the first reason cited by Safety is often the first reason cited by parents to give a mobile phone to their parents to give a mobile phone to their child.child.

But is it real, or an illusion?But is it real, or an illusion? Are they used for « safety » reasons, and Are they used for « safety » reasons, and

if so how much of the total time of use if so how much of the total time of use does it make?does it make?

StatisticsStatistics

StatisticsStatistics

Talking on a mobile phone makes you 2.8 Talking on a mobile phone makes you 2.8 times more likely to be the cause of an times more likely to be the cause of an accident.accident.

Texting makes you 23.2 times more likely!Texting makes you 23.2 times more likely! Hands-free devices do not make a Hands-free devices do not make a

statistically significant difference.statistically significant difference.

Mobile phones in the workplaceMobile phones in the workplace

So you use them on the bus, in the So you use them on the bus, in the hallway, at home, and in class…hallway, at home, and in class…

Will you use it in the workplace, once you Will you use it in the workplace, once you get a job?get a job?

Do you think there could be consequences Do you think there could be consequences to using your mobile phone at work?to using your mobile phone at work?

Proposed Mobile Phone EthicsProposed Mobile Phone Ethics

1.1. Turn your phone ringer off.Turn your phone ringer off.2.2. Use your phone only for important calls.Use your phone only for important calls.3.3. Let the calls go to voice mail.Let the calls go to voice mail.4.4. Find a private place to make your calls.Find a private place to make your calls.5.5. Don’t use your phone in the restroom.Don’t use your phone in the restroom.6.6. Don’t bring your phone to meetings.Don’t bring your phone to meetings.

Do you agree or disagree with these?Do you agree or disagree with these?

Reflection Question #1Reflection Question #1

Some companies offer devices that allow Some companies offer devices that allow blocking mobile phone functions, do you blocking mobile phone functions, do you think this should be allowed or not? think this should be allowed or not?

(For instance, in schools, in cinemas, (For instance, in schools, in cinemas, libraries…)libraries…)


Does your freedom to receive phone calls Does your freedom to receive phone calls impede others’ freedom to enjoy or impede others’ freedom to enjoy or participate in certain activities?participate in certain activities?


In University, the teacher can actually fail In University, the teacher can actually fail you from the class if you use a phone in you from the class if you use a phone in class. Do you think that it is fair? Why or class. Do you think that it is fair? Why or why not?why not?


Is using the phone for personal calls or Is using the phone for personal calls or text messages a fair use of your working text messages a fair use of your working time, and should a company allow it?time, and should a company allow it?


If you were a boss, would you allow your If you were a boss, would you allow your employees to spend time during the employees to spend time during the workday on their cell phones? What if it workday on their cell phones? What if it impeded productivity?impeded productivity?


Communication technologies have sped Communication technologies have sped up dramatically in the last 50 years. We up dramatically in the last 50 years. We are much more in touch thanks to these are much more in touch thanks to these technologies, but are we still connected, technologies, but are we still connected, and do these connections matter as and do these connections matter as much? much?


Living in an orderly society requires people Living in an orderly society requires people to be civil to one another. Have mobiles to be civil to one another. Have mobiles phones helped us do that or do they phones helped us do that or do they hinder that process?hinder that process?


Even though evidence shows mobile Even though evidence shows mobile phones are dangerous to use while phones are dangerous to use while driving, do you think it ought to be driving, do you think it ought to be allowed? Will you use your phone while allowed? Will you use your phone while driving?driving?

ReferencesReferences http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_phonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_phone http://ezinearticles.com/?Accident-and-Cell-Phone-Driving-Statistics-in-the-United-Stahttp://ezinearticles.com/?Accident-and-Cell-Phone-Driving-Statistics-in-the-United-Sta

tes&id=2949390tes&id=2949390 http://careerplanning.about.com/od/workplacesurvival/tp/cell_phone.htmhttp://careerplanning.about.com/od/workplacesurvival/tp/cell_phone.htm

Documents

Mobile Phones and today’s youth. Mr Wilson’s ERC (Secondary 4)