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Smartphones Making Us Dumber

The University of Texas at El Paso
RWS 1301
July 17th 2015
Omar Ibarra

Instructor: Moushumi Biswas

Abstract

The use of cellphones has brought the world closer than ever before. Such feature has
come with the con of human knowledge regression. The studies that have been conducted in the
adoption of cell phone use and that of the negative impact it has had on human life is somewhat
astonishing.
Technology has helped the human race in all sorts of aspects of life but it has also
regressed us in the process. Cell phone use has increased dramatically since its mass adoption.
90% of American adults own a cell phone, that includes all American adults now picture those
who arent considered adults yet, thats a lot of cellphones and only considering USA.

Instructor: Moushumi Biswas

Studies show that even though smart cell

phones come in very handy they also are
part of the regression in our own personal advancement when it comes to
knowledge development.
In a study conducted by the Pew
Research Center there was a split outcome
on what they thought the future was
going to be like for those who use cell
phones now. 55% thought that the brains
of multitasking teens and young adults in
year 2020 would be wired differently
from those over age 35 and overall yield
helpful results. 42% thought that the
brains of multitasking teens and young
adults would be wired differently from
those over age 35 and would yield baleful
results.

Instructor: Moushumi Biswas

a detrimental

Cell phone use is also a culprit in us disengaging with the places we are and the people
we are in. In 2013 someone drove across an Alaskan airport driveway because they were
following directions from an iPhone. Actions like this is what pushed legislators in different
states to implement bans on driving whilst using a phone.
Developments in the capabilities of future smartphones will be out of this world (maybe
literally) with the hopes to help the human race in everyday life, what that means to human
knowledge development is for the future to know.

Instructor: Moushumi Biswas

References
http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/

Janna Anderson, Lee Rainie; February 29, 2012 http://www.pewinternet.org/2012/02/29/mainfindings-teens-technology-and-human-potential-in-2020/

Jonathan Schifferes, September 26, 2013 https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-andarticles/rsa-blogs/2013/09/smartphones-make-us-dumb/

Instructor: Moushumi Biswas