1.

0 Introduction Mobile phones seem to be mandatory devices for the modern age, giving us access to voice and data services almost everywhere we are in the world. It is not hard to gauge the popularity of the mobile-phone phenomenon in Malaysia. In 2006 Malaysia had the second highest mobile phone penetration rate (72.3%) among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. The first commercial mobile phone service in Malaysia was established in 1988, by Celcom, which is one of the three main players in the mobile market. The other two service providers are Maxis and Digi, established in 1993 and 1995 respectively. These three telecoms are currently engaged in an intense competition in the market, each coming up with attractive packages for subscribers, especially in prepaid services, which constitute about 84% of the subscribers. However, there is a downside to our dependence on them. Studies have found that chronic cell phone use may have a negative impact on long-term health, also towards social life. The following information provides an overview of the effects of cell phone use on our lives and the actions that need to be taken to minimize the impacts of mobile phones.

2.0 Analysis of the Disadvantages of Mobile Phones Health High exposure towards the radio frequencies heightens the risk of cancer. The concern has become more pronounced as everyone now will have at least a cell phone on hand which are already common. We are facing higher risk as we usually kept cell phone on our body. Health advocates warn that there may be a higher prevalence of brain cancer in the coming decades due to our increased exposure to cell phone radio frequencies. Long term exposure to a certain wavelength of the radio frequencies will caused the mutation of the cells in our body which results in cancer. Though there is no definitive link between cell phone use and overall health problems, the correlation between cell phone and cancer are shown in some studies. There are several studies have suggested a possible link between exposure to cell phone radiation and an increased risk of cancer in the nerve connecting the ear to the brain. However, current research on the link between cell phones and brain tumors is inconclusive because findings vary from study to study. Therefore, there is no strong supportive research that can prove that the connection between cell phone and the factors that caused cell mutation. However, we shouldnt neglect the possibility of the cell phone radio frequencies as one of the potential factors that caused cancer. Previously, the tiny cell phones are popular because they are small, light and easy to be kept. However, small text and bright screens can strain mobile phone users eyes. Even though, larger smart phone and tablets are trend for the new generation, the users eyes will be infected too as long period of usage and the focuses on the electronic device during the gaming period. Since tablet computers, smartphones, and other hand-held devices are designed for reading at close range, users eyes must constantly refocus and reposition to process the graphics and text on screen. As digital use increases, so do potential vision problems, including eye strain. Symptoms of digital eye strain include eye redness or irritation, dry eyes, blurred vision, back pain, neck pain, and headaches. In order to reduce the harm of these electronic devices towards users eyes, producers of cell phone come out with few solutions to reduce the digital eyes strain. Some of the ways to prevent digital eye strain include reducing glare, cleaning the screen, dimming the surrounding lighting that is competing with the devices screen. Besides that, most of the cell

phone user will keep close towards the cell phone to focus on the games they are playing. Therefore, keeping adequate distance between eyes and the screen, and increasing text size are very important in order to protect our eyes. Same to the laptop, tv and computer users, cell phone users are also advised to take breaks from looking at the screen, and follow the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes using an electronic device and look at something 20 feet away. The short break is sufficient for the eyes to relax and get enough rest to prevent our eyes to be exhausted. Cell phones also cause germs to be spread more easily because of the phone's close proximity to the mouth. Germs spread easily through the mouth through coughing, sneezing and breathing. Most cell phones are full of bacteria because they are often used in unsanitary environments. Recently, students in an Environmental Health course at South University, Columbia sought to find out what germs live on cell phones. Swabbing a sample of 60 phones belonging to students, they found that phones were frequently contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Staph aureus is always dangerous and MRSA forms are worse because they cannot be stopped easily, says Dr. Robert J. Wolff, PhD, program director of Health Science at South University, Columbia, who teaches the class. Staph skin infections, including MRSA, can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses. The bacteria might remain confined to the skin, or burrow deeper into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves, and lungs. Other studies have actually found links between mental health problems and cell phone use. Research has shown that chronic cell phone use may cause lowered self-esteem. Furthermore, teens that frequently use cell phones were more likely to be anxious, irritable and depressed. Increased vision problems and digital thumb -- a carpal tunnel-like syndrome -- are two strain injuries that can result from the repetitive use of cell phones.

Safety Traffic Hazards The increasing of the fatal accidents happened in Malaysia from the early era of the cell phone are usually caused by the distraction thats caused by the usage of cell phone during driving. The usage of cell phone causes hundreds of accidents per year, many of them fatal. The instant reaction are greatly reduced when using cell phone during driving are shown in several researches regarding the correlation between cell phone and fatal accident. Therefore the using of cell phone while driving is very dangerous. Activities such as answering phone calls or texting take the drivers attention and hands away from driving more frequently and for longer periods than other distractions, making it dangerous. Focuses are on the cell phone and the conversation instead of the condition on the road they are driving on. Younger, inexperienced drivers under the age of 20 may be at a higher risk; they have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. But its not just drivers causing dangerous situations on the roadways. Pedestrians using cell phones are just as dangerous as drivers using them. This type of distraction could lead to accidents that injure the pedestrian and/or drivers. Traffic accidents are preventable. By simply putting their phone away while driving or crossing the street, drivers and pedestrians can prevent accidents. They should wait until they are stationary before making a phone call, sending a text message, or sending an email. Despite the varying research on cell phones and their impact on our overall health, it is important to exercise caution when using a cell phone. Hands-free devices are an alternative to frequency waves, although Bluetooths will prove counterproductive. Cell phones should be sterilized on a daily basis to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria. Curtailing cell phone use while driving will greatly reduce the risk of accident.

Social Issues The adoption of the mobile phone by young people has been a global phenomenon in recent years. It is now an integral part of adolescents daily lives and is for the majority, the most popular form of electronic communication. In fact, the mobile phone has turned from a technological tool to a social tool. Young people use the mobile phone in positive ways to organise and maintain their social networks. However, there are also negative impacts on young peoples peer relationships. These can include ostracism and cyber bullying. Similarly, the mobile phone has led to changed dynamics in the family, with issues of safety and surveillance from a parental perspective leading to negotiated changing freedoms for young people. While functional coordination can be beneficial for the family, other problems can arise such as financial difficulties, noncustodial parent access, as well as over reliance on the mobile phone for safety issues and intrusion into young people lives. The impact of the mobile phone on the school as an institution has not however, received as much research. Disruptions to lessons, incidences of cheating and bullying are some of the negative impacts, while texting parents of truants seems to be the only positive for the school. However, the use of mobile phone device has an indirect linkage and can contribute negatively to better social attitudes with reference to attitude or behaviour and communications. Several people are overusing, misusing or even abusing their use of mobile phones. Such persons tend to ignore those around them; they become emotionally attached to their phones. At that point, they can even sleep with the phone. There is this emotional attachment which often becomes visible when the phone gets missing. When a person who owns a mobile phone loses it, it is as if a baby has been lost. The phone becomes the first thing they touch when they wake up, and the last thing they read before going to bed. This leads to a religious argument that mobile phones are now taking over the Bible or the Quran because previously, when a good Christian/ Muslim wakes up, (s)he prays and read the bible as a way of devotion to his / her faith. Now the phone seems to be taking over.

Family relationship impact by usage of cell phone The presence of the cell phone had no effect on relationship quality, trust, and empathy, but only if the pair discussed the casual topic. In contrast, there were significant differences if the topic was meaningful. The pairs who conversed with a cell phone in the vicinity reported that their relationship quality was worse. The pairs also reported feeling less trust and thought that their partners showed less empathy if there was a cell phone present. Thus, interacting in a neutral environment, without a cell phone nearby, seems to help foster closeness, connectedness, interpersonal trust, and perceptions of empathy the building-blocks of relationships. Past studies have suggested that because of the many social, instrumental, and entertainment options phones afford us, they often divert our attention from our current environment, whether we are speeding down a highway or sitting through a meeting. The new research suggests that cell phones may serve as a reminder of the wider network to which we could connect, inhibiting our ability to connect with the people right next to us.

Previous study found that people who consistently used a mobile phone or pager during the duration of the study were more likely to report increased levels of "spill over" between work and home, which led to decreased satisfaction with family life. Women were more likely to be negatively affected than men by this spill over. Children would call their mothers at work more often than their fathers to report accidents or bad news at home. Men also reported negative reaction to spill over, although it was more likely to be in the reverse direction, with work calls interrupting home life. Women were not immune to reverse spill over, however, and wound up with stress going in both directions. Both genders reported a decrease in satisfaction with family and work life due to these interruptions. The study raises some interesting thoughts about how technology can sometimes amplify gender inequalities rather than equalizing them. It also points out that while new technologies seem on the surface to be wholly beneficial, that there are always negative impacts that creep into our lives as well. The study concluded that awareness of these spills over issues could allow people and companies to start dealing with them, by having each spouse trade off "family call" days and by employers becoming more sensitive about interrupting their employees at home. Since cell phones are not going to go away, it is up to our society to learn how to deal with their negative impacts, just as we have handled any

disruptive new technology, whether it has been automobiles or personal computers. In the end, it is awareness of the ramifications of technology, rather than a rejection of it, that will help our civilization move forward.

Conclusion Although everyone acknowledges the many benefits of mobile phones to society, I recommend the need for precautionary actions to reduce cell phone radiation exposures to minimize the extent and seriousness of the risks to the brain and other organs. The four specific recommendations made about cell phones to minimize health risk: Governments, the mobile phone industry, and the public should take all reasonable measures to reduce EMR exposure, especially from mobile phones, particularly exposure to children and young adults who are likely most at risk for brain and salivary gland tumours. The report recommends texting, use of hands-free sets, and improved design of phones which generate less radiation and make hands-free use more convenient. Governments should reconsider the scientific basis for the present exposure standards which have serious limitations such as reliance on the contested thermal effects paradigm; and simplistic assumptions about the complexities of radio frequency exposures. Mobile phones should be required to have effective labeli ng and warnings about potential risks for users. Adequate funding should be provided for the urgently needed research into the health effects of phones and base stations. Funding could include industry grants and a small fee on the purchase and/or use of mobile phones.

References 1. Inc.com; How to Create a Cell Phone Policy; J.J. McCorvey; February 2010 2. "Business Etiquette for Dummies"; Sue Fox; 2008 3. "The e-Policy Handbook"; Nancy Flynn; 2009 4. Ling, R, Adolescent girls and young adult men: Two sub-cultures of the mobile telephone. Kjelier, Telenor Research & Development (report r 34/2001). 5. Ling, R, Fashion and vulgarity in the adoption of the mobile telephone among teens in Norway. In L. Fortunati, J. E. Katz and R. 6. Riccini (Eds.). Mediating the human body: Technology, communication and fashion, 2003, 93-102). Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. 7. Enpocket (2005). Mobile media monitor survey. Retrieved 30 June, 2005, from http://www.cellular-news.com/story/13286.php 8. Hession, E. (2001). Booty call: How marketers can cross into wireless space. Dublin: Puca. Ison, A., Hayes, A., Robinson, S., & 9. Jamieson, J. (2004, November). Txt Me: Supporting disengaged youth using mobile technologies. Australian Flexible Learning 10. Framework. Retrieved August 15, 2005, from http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au Netsafe, The text generation: Mobile phones and New Zealand youth: A report of result from the internet Safety Groups survey of teenage mobile phone use. 92005, January). 11. Srivastava, L, Mobile phones and the evolution of social behaviour. Behaviour and Information Technology, 24, 2005, 111-129. 12. Williams, S., & Williams, L. (2005). Space invaders: The negotiation of teenage boundaries through the mobile phone. The Sociological Review, 53, 314-331. 13. Ling, R., & Helmersen, P, It must be necessary, it has to cover a need: The adoption of mobile telephony among pre-adolescents and adolescents. Paper presented at the Social Consequences of Mobile Telephony, Oslo, Norway. (2000, June) 14. Manceron, V, Get connected! The French Journal of Communication, 5(2), 1997, 229-241. 15. Geser, H. (2004). Towards a sociological theory of the mobile phone. Retrieved July 12, 2005, from http://socio.ch/mobile/t_geser1.pdf

16. Weston, P., Atkinson, S., & Giles, D. Family terror as Internet lures gatecrashers to wrong house: 500 teens rampage. Sunday Mail, (2005, February 27). p. B13. 17. Matthews, R., The psychosocial aspects of mobile phone use amongst adolescents. InPsych, 26(6), 2004, 16-19. 18. Ling, R., The impact of the mobile telephone on four established social institutions. Paper presented at the International Society for the Study of European ideas conference, Bergen, Norway. (2000a, August) 19. Davie, R., Panting, C., & Charlton, T., Mobile phone ownership and usage among pre-adolescents. Telematics and Informatics, 21, (2004), 359-373. 20. Roos, J. P., Sociology of cellular telephone: The Nordic model. Telecommunications, 17, 1993, 446-456. 21. Anderson, L., Sleepless teens spend half the night calling friends. The Advertiser, 2003, p. B.7.