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

A True Story (or maybe not?)  An intern (think Mr. Raymond, but with a degree) got fired from her position as an assistant to a VP at Timex because her asked her for the time of day… and she checked her mobile phone.

The first true cellular phones This was designed to be integrated in a vehicle. (1964) This is the first commercially viable cellular phone, the Motorola DynaTac. (1983)

From cellular to digital  In the 1990, computers become small and powerful enough to power phones.  What we are using today are therefore not cell phones, technically. Has more computing power than this:

Multiple Functions Now mobiles phones are so powerful, they even have multiple functions, like:  Texting  Photos & Videos  Internet Browsing  Playing Music  Games

Forward in time  Because computers are more and more powerful, those that run mobile phones become cheaper and cheaper.  It takes less money to get more… eventually even teens and children can get a mobile phone.  Some families do not even have a land line anymore.

I feel safer  Safety is often the first reason cited by parents to give a mobile phone to their child.  But is it real, or an illusion?  Are they used for « safety » reasons, and if so how much of the total time of use does it make?

Statistics

Statistics  Talking on a mobile phone makes you 2.8 times more likely to be the cause of an accident.  Texting makes you 23.2 times more likely!  Hands-free devices do not make a statistically significant difference.

Mobile phones in the workplace  So you use them on the bus, in the hallway, at home, and in class…  Will you use it in the workplace, once you get a job?  Do you think there could be consequences to using your mobile phone at work?

Proposed Mobile Phone Ethics 1. Turn your phone ringer off. 2. Use your phone only for important calls. 3. Let the calls go to voice mail. 4. Find a private place to make your calls. 5. Don’t use your phone in the restroom. 6. Don’t bring your phone to meetings. Do you agree or disagree with these?

Reflection Question #1  Some companies offer devices that allow blocking mobile phone functions, do you think this should be allowed or not?  (For instance, in schools, in cinemas, libraries…)

Reflection Question #2  Does your freedom to receive phone calls impede others’ freedom to enjoy or participate in certain activities?

Reflection Question #3  In University, the teacher can actually fail you from the class if you use a phone in class. Do you think that it is fair? Why or why not?

Reflection Question #4  Is using the phone for personal calls or text messages a fair use of your working time, and should a company allow it?

Reflection Question #5  If you were a boss, would you allow your employees to spend time during the workday on their cell phones? What if it impeded productivity?

Reflection Question #5  Communication technologies have sped up dramatically in the last 50 years. We are much more in touch thanks to these technologies, but are we still connected, and do these connections matter as much?

Reflection Question #6  Living in an orderly society requires people to be civil to one another. Have mobiles phones helped us do that or do they hinder that process?

Reflection Question #7  Even though evidence shows mobile phones are dangerous to use while driving, do you think it ought to be allowed? Will you use your phone while driving?

References   States&id= States&id= States&id= 