For better or for worse?

Emma Geng
Word count: 1204
6/7/2023
Introduction
Since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007, it has undeniably left a permanent mark on the
world; completely transforming the way that we communicate, access information and
interact with the digital world. Information about mostly any topic could simply be “looked up”
at any given time and place. We no longer had to rely on physical sources when researching
and could communicate and receive information almost instantaneously. However, whilst the
positive to the phone is numerable, one can argue that this device subject to both praise and
criticism. This essay will discussing the obvious advantages the phone brings and the
downsides it brings.

From telephones to smartphones, how far has the telephone taken us in terms of
communication?
It is important to remember that the phone was not the first device for the purpose of
communication. Communication is at the basis of our lives and existence. Humans first
began to communicate as a means of cooperation and survival; we needed to communicate
and rely important information with regards to dangers, resources and most important
conveying knowledge. For centuries we have been trying to improve and perfect our abilities
to communicate with one another. From Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to modern day
coding and algorithm, we have come a long way in terms of communication. The first
telephone was invented by Scottish scientist Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 and marked a
significant first step in telecommunication. Prior to the telephone, people were restricted to
either physical meetings or letters which were both time-consuming and limited to a certain
degree of geographical constraints. The invention of the telephone erased these physical
boundaries. This invention saw the boom of commerce through increased globalisation and
most importantly quicker and more direct means of communication for large scale
businesses. Fast forward to the 1970s to early 2000s, the first series of hand-held “cell
phones” or “mobile phones” were brought onto the market. This time round, the phone was
mass produced and made widely available to the public. Instead of only businesses having
access to these devices, people were now able to use them to connect with other individuals
which created a larger social impact. People could now send text messages and call without
the physical constraints of a stationary corded telephone. Fast forward again, the launch of
the iPhone and similar “smartphones” saw a new generation of users. Now we were able to
search almost anything online and use features such as the camera. Platforms like social
media enabled us to share our experiences with millions around the world at the click of a
button. One can argue that there seems to be no boundaries that the phone is limited to.
The rise of e-commerce
The increased usage of mobile phones and a variety of electronic devices have also sparked
a new online business trend. Businesses no longer have to have physical stores, but instead
a webstore is set up where customers can freely purchase their desired products and have it
delivered to their chosen location. Due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen a
dramatic rise to what is now known as “online shopping”. This form of business allows
greater convenience to the customer as all shopping can be done wherever they are and
allows customers to browse thousands of products or search for specific items saving time
for the customer. At all times during the experience, customers have access to thousands, if
not millions of reviews helping customers better compare and assess a product even though
they have not seen it physically. Customers also have access to greater and more diverse
range of brands around the world rather than the limited brands that can be found in
shopping malls. Businesses can easily advertise their products online and produce a link
which leads the costumer directly to their webstore. With the rise of the smart-phone, e-
commerce has boomed and has now become one of the most significant sectors in the
global economy. Additionally, the vast expansion of e-commerce has provided great
opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to reach a global stage without the
extensive funding required to set up physical stores around the world. E-commerce also
helps these businesses eliminate unnecessary expenses such as rent, utilities and in-store
staff wages which helps to increase a company’s profit margin.

Increased cyber-attacks due to increased phone usage

However, as stated previously, the phone is not without its downsides. In recent years, we
have seen a drastic increase in the amount of cyber-attacks world-wide due to the ever-
increasing rate of connectivity on the internet. Everyone who has access to the internet is to
a degree vulnerable and in potential risk of a cyber-attack and now more than ever, cyber
criminals or hackers are finding more targets to exploit. In 2019, a spyware called Pegasus,
developed by an Israeli company was discovered. This spyware exploited backdoors to
popular messaging and social media apps like WhatsApp and used it to gain unauthorised
access into the smartphone. At any given time, Pegasus could enable the “infected” phone’s
camera and microphone to access real time data on the user. Especially now that we store
massive amounts of our personal information online, we are more at risk to serious breaches
of privacy and personal data. Therefore there is a significant security risk for all phone users.

Decreased social skills because of the phone?

In this age of instant digital communication, we have a tendency to think that we are
becoming more social, however, is that really the case? Studies in recent years have shown
that excessive usage of mobile phones can lead to a substantial decrease in our social skills.
Reliance on “online” “relationships”, “friendships” and other forms of social bond can lead the
decline in the ability to feel empathy and sympathy for others. As humans, the arguably most
important thing that set us apart from robots is the fact we possess the ability to feel and
think for others, but with the rise of the mobile phone, we may no longer possess these
important human emotions. With social media platforms and instant messaging apps, we no
longer have to conduct everyday activities face to face with another human being, instead,
we are relaying our thoughts and emotions to a screen. As hard as it is to believe, our social
skills don’t develop naturally. Only through the actual process of interacting with others, can
we develop and cement these skills. Therefore, our reliance on online communication
platforms has on one side provided us with greater connectivity to other people but is also
causing a detrimental impact on our basic social skills.

Conclusion
It is difficult to definitively say whether or not the phone has changed our world for the better
or for worse. On one hand, it has brought us to a whole new level of connection and
globalisation through instant communication, but on the other hand, we are losing emotions
such as empathy and sympathy. On one hand the phone has completely redefined e-
commerce and provided innumerable opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs,
it has also put users at a greater risk of cyber-attacks. The question now lies: Do the benefits
of the phone outweigh the negatives or are the negatives too great to overlook?
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