the misuse of cell phones essay

Essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

Students are often asked to write an essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

Introduction.

Mobile phones, a revolutionary invention, have both positive and negative impacts. Their use varies from communication to entertainment.

Uses of Mobile Phones

Mobile phones bridge communication gaps. They are essential for emergency situations, providing instant contact. Additionally, they offer entertainment through games and apps.

Abuses of Mobile Phones

However, mobile phones can be misused. Cyberbullying and online scams are common. Excessive use can also lead to addiction, affecting mental health.

While mobile phones are beneficial, it’s crucial to use them responsibly. Awareness about their potential misuse can help in avoiding negative impacts.

250 Words Essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

Mobile phones, once a luxury, have transformed into a necessity in the modern world. They have revolutionized communication, becoming an integral part of our lives with a myriad of uses, but also potential abuses.

The primary use of mobile phones is communication. They enable instant connectivity with people across the globe, fostering relationships and facilitating business transactions. Mobile phones have also evolved into mini-computers, providing access to a wealth of information and services. They serve as tools for education, entertainment, navigation, and even health monitoring.

Moreover, mobile phones have become instrumental in emergencies. They allow for immediate contact with authorities and can provide vital location information. The advent of smartphones has further increased their utility, enabling us to perform tasks like online shopping, banking, and remote working.

Despite their benefits, mobile phones can also be misused. They can foster addiction, affecting mental health and productivity. The excessive use of mobile phones, especially among the younger generation, leads to a sedentary lifestyle, contributing to health issues.

Cybercrime is another significant abuse associated with mobile phones. They can be used to invade privacy, steal sensitive information, and facilitate scams. Furthermore, the spread of misinformation and fake news via mobile phones can have severe societal implications.

While mobile phones offer numerous benefits, their potential for misuse cannot be overlooked. It is crucial to foster a balanced and responsible approach to mobile phone usage, leveraging their advantages while mitigating their potential abuses. This balance will ensure that mobile phones continue to serve as essential tools, enhancing our lives rather than detracting from them.

500 Words Essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

Mobile phones, once a luxury, have now become a necessity in our lives. They have revolutionized communication, transforming it into an immediate and accessible tool. However, like any technological advancement, mobile phones come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

The Uses of Mobile Phones

Mobile phones serve a myriad of purposes. They are not simply tools for calls and messages but have evolved into multi-functional devices that cater to a wide range of user needs.

Communication

The primary function of mobile phones is communication. With the advent of various applications, we can now connect with anyone, anywhere in the world, in real-time. This instant connectivity has made our lives more convenient and our relationships more accessible.

Information Access

Mobile phones have become a gateway to the world’s knowledge. They provide us with instant access to information, news, research data, and much more. With the internet at our fingertips, we are never more than a few taps away from the answers we seek.

Entertainment and Leisure

Mobile phones serve as a hub for entertainment. They offer a variety of games, music, movies, and social media platforms. They also serve as e-readers, allowing us to carry an entire library in our pockets.

The Abuses of Mobile Phones

Despite their numerous benefits, mobile phones are not without their drawbacks. Their misuse can lead to severe consequences.

Distraction and Addiction

Excessive use of mobile phones can lead to addiction, resulting in a significant amount of time wasted on frivolous activities. This addiction can cause distractions, leading to decreased productivity and focus, especially among students.

Privacy Concerns

With the increasing reliance on mobile phones, privacy has become a significant concern. Data breaches, identity theft, and cyberbullying are some of the risks associated with the misuse of mobile phones.

Health Hazards

Excessive use of mobile phones can lead to health issues such as eye strain, sleep disorders, and even mental health problems like anxiety and depression. The constant exposure to the screen light can also lead to long-term vision problems.

Mobile phones, like any tool, can be used or abused. It is up to us to leverage their benefits and mitigate their drawbacks. We must use them judiciously, ensuring that they serve as aids in our lives and not as distractions. As responsible users, we need to be aware of the potential pitfalls and take necessary precautions to avoid them. In the end, mobile phones are powerful tools, and their impact on our lives depends largely on how we choose to use them.

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Uses of Mobile Phones Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on uses of mobile phones.

Mobile phones are one of the most commonly used gadgets in today’s world. Everyone from a child to an adult uses mobile phones these days. They are indeed very useful and help us in so many ways.

Mobile phones indeed make our lives easy and convenient but at what cost? They are a blessing only till we use it correctly. As when we use them for more than a fixed time, they become harmful for us.

Uses of Mobile Phone

We use mobile phones for almost everything now. Gone are the days when we used them for only calling. Now, our lives revolve around it. They come in use for communicating through voice, messages, and mails. We can also surf the internet using a phone. Most importantly, we also click photos and record videos through our mobile’s camera.

The phones of this age are known as smartphones . They are no less than a computer and sometimes even more. You can video call people using this phone, and also manage your official documents. You get the chance to use social media and play music through it.

Moreover, we see how mobile phones have replaced computers and laptops . We carry out all the tasks through mobile phones which we initially did use our computers. We can even make powerpoint presentations on our phones and use it as a calculator to ease our work.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disadvantages of Mobile Phones

While mobile phones are very beneficial, they also come to a lot of disadvantages. Firstly, they create a distance between people. As people spend time on their phones, they don’t talk to each other much. People will sit in the same room and be busy on their phones instead of talking to each other.

Subsequently, phones waste a lot of time. People get distracted by them easily and spend hours on their phones. They are becoming dumber while using smartphones . They do not do their work and focus on using phones.

Most importantly, mobile phones are a cause of many ailments. When we use phones for a long time, our eyesight gets weaker. They cause strain on our brains. We also suffer from headaches, watery eyes, sleeplessness and more.

Moreover, mobile phones have created a lack of privacy in people’s lives. As all your information is stored on your phone and social media , anyone can access it easily. We become vulnerable to hackers. Also, mobile phones consume a lot of money. They are anyway expensive and to top it, we buy expensive gadgets to enhance our user experience.

In short, we see how it is both a bane and a boon. It depends on us how we can use it to our advantage. We must limit our usage of mobile phones and not let it control us. As mobile phones are taking over our lives, we must know when to draw the line. After all, we are the owners and not the smartphone.

FAQs on Uses of Mobile Phones

Q.1 How do mobile phones help us?

A.1 Mobile phones are very advantageous. They help us in making our lives easy and convenient. They help us communicate with our loved ones and carry out our work efficiently. Furthermore, they also do the work of the computer, calculator, and cameras.

Q.2 What is the abuse of mobile phone use?

A.2 People are nowadays not using but abusing mobile phones. They are using them endlessly which is ruining their lives. They are the cause of many ailments. They distract us and keep us away from important work. Moreover, they also compromise with our privacy making us vulnerable to hackers.

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• Misuse Of Mobile Phone Essay

The prevalence of mobile phones in today's society has brought numerous benefits, revolutionizing communication, information access, and education. However, their misuse can have serious consequences that affect individuals and society at large. In this collection of essays, we delve into the various aspects of mobile phone misuse and its potential impact.The first essay sheds light on the dangers of mobile phone misuse, highlighting the negative repercussions on productivity, health, and safety. Excessive usage, distraction, and cyberbullying are among the critical issues explored, emphasizing the need for responsible mobile phone habits.The second essay explores the impact of mobile phone misuse on social interactions. We discuss how improper phone use can lead to disconnection from the present moment, reduced empathy, and the deterioration of essential social skills. Moreover, we examine the effects of social media addiction and the fear of missing out (FOMO) on individuals' well-being.Moving on to education, the third essay examines the misuse of mobile phones in classrooms, particularly in terms of distractions, academic integrity, and attention spans. Cyberbullying and social media pressure also pose challenges to students' mental health, making it imperative to address these issues.In the fourth essay, we emphasize the importance of promoting digital etiquette to combat mobile phone misuse. Encouraging respectful use in public spaces, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and setting responsible guidelines in educational settings are crucial steps towards mitigating misuse and fostering a positive digital environment.By exploring these various facets of mobile phone misuse and the potential consequences, we aim to raise awareness and foster responsible mobile phone usage. Together, we can create a healthier and more balanced digital landscape, harnessing the benefits of technology while minimizing its negative impact.

Template The Dangers of Mobile Phone Misuse: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: Mobile phones have become an indispensable part of our modern lives, revolutionizing communication and access to information. However, their misuse can lead to significant negative consequences. In this essay, we will explore the various ways mobile phones can be misused, and the potential dangers they pose to individuals and society.

Distraction and Productivity: Misusing mobile phones, especially in educational and work environments, can lead to distractions that hamper productivity. Constantly checking social media, playing games, or engaging in non-essential conversations can disrupt focus and impede one's ability to perform tasks efficiently.

Health Risks: Excessive use of mobile phones, particularly for extended periods, has been linked to health risks. Prolonged exposure to screens can cause eye strain, headaches, and even disrupted sleep patterns. Moreover, excessive texting and typing can lead to repetitive strain injuries.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: The misuse of mobile phones for cyberbullying and online harassment is a grave concern. Social media platforms and messaging apps can become breeding grounds for spreading hate, derogatory remarks, and offensive content, causing emotional distress and harm to individuals.

Privacy Concerns: Mobile phone misuse can involve unauthorized access to personal data, leading to privacy breaches and identity theft. Apps and websites may collect personal information without consent, making users vulnerable to exploitation and data misuse.

Distracted Driving: Using mobile phones while driving is a dangerous misuse that can have fatal consequences. Texting or making calls diverts the driver's attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents.

Conclusion: The misuse of mobile phones can have far-reaching effects on individuals and society. It is crucial to raise awareness about responsible mobile phone use and implement measures to address the dangers associated with misuse. By encouraging responsible phone habits and promoting digital etiquette, we can harness the power of mobile technology for positive impact while minimizing the potential risks.

Template Mobile Phone Misuse: Impact on Social Interactions

Introduction: Mobile phones have drastically altered the way we communicate and interact with one another. While they offer convenience, their misuse can lead to adverse effects on our social interactions. In this essay, we will explore how mobile phone misuse can harm our ability to form meaningful connections and negatively impact our social lives.

Disconnection from the Present Moment: Misusing mobile phones during face-to-face interactions can lead to disconnection from the present moment. Constantly checking notifications, taking photos, or scrolling through social media distracts individuals from actively engaging in conversations and experiences.

Decreased Empathy and Understanding: Excessive mobile phone use can erode empathy and understanding in our interactions. When individuals prioritize their phones over active listening and genuine communication, it can result in misinterpretations, misunderstandings, and a lack of emotional connection.

Reduced Social Skills: Misusing mobile phones for digital communication instead of face-to-face interactions can lead to the deterioration of essential social skills. With less practice in reading facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, individuals may struggle to navigate complex social situations.

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Mobile phone misuse, particularly in the context of social media, can foster a "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO) mentality. Constantly comparing one's life to the seemingly perfect lives depicted online can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and social isolation.

Social Media Addiction: Excessive use of mobile phones for social media engagement can lead to addiction-like behaviors. Seeking validation through likes, comments, and followers can become all-consuming, resulting in neglect of real-life relationships and activities.

Conclusion: Mobile phone misuse can have significant repercussions on our social lives, affecting how we communicate, empathize, and connect with others. Striking a balance between mobile phone usage and face-to-face interactions is essential to foster genuine and meaningful relationships in an increasingly digital world.

Template The Misuse of Mobile Phones in Education

Introduction: Mobile phones have become prevalent in educational settings, offering access to vast resources and facilitating communication. However, their misuse in educational environments can pose challenges to students' learning experiences. In this essay, we will explore how mobile phone misuse impacts education and the potential measures to address these issues.

Classroom Disturbances: Misusing mobile phones in classrooms can cause disruptions, distract other students, and interfere with the learning environment. Ringing phones, incoming messages, and students engaging in non-academic activities can hinder the concentration of both the user and their peers.

Academic Integrity Concerns: The misuse of mobile phones for cheating during exams or accessing unauthorized information raises concerns about academic integrity. Students may resort to using smartphones to look up answers, share information with others, or engage in dishonest academic practices.

Negative Impact on Attention and Memory: Excessive use of mobile phones, even for legitimate purposes, can negatively affect students' attention spans and memory retention. Constant access to distractions and multitasking while studying can hinder information absorption and learning effectiveness.

Cyberbullying and Social Media Pressure: Misusing mobile phones for cyberbullying and engaging in social media pressure can lead to negative mental health outcomes for students. The fear of missing out (FOMO) and the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards portrayed on social media platforms can impact students' well-being and self-esteem.

Digital Divide: Mobile phone misuse can exacerbate the digital divide, as not all students may have equal access to smartphones or internet connectivity. This disparity can create inequalities in learning opportunities and hinder academic progress for some students.

Conclusion: While mobile phones offer numerous educational benefits, their misuse can hinder learning experiences and create challenges in educational settings. It is crucial for educators, parents, and students to collaborate and establish guidelines that promote responsible mobile phone use in schools. By encouraging positive phone habits and addressing misuse issues, we can harness the potential of mobile technology to enhance the learning environment for all students.

Template Combating Mobile Phone Misuse: Promoting Digital Etiquette

Introduction: Mobile phones have become an integral part of modern society, and their responsible use is essential for fostering a healthy digital environment. In this essay, we will explore the importance of digital etiquette in combatting mobile phone misuse. By promoting respectful and considerate mobile phone practices, we can mitigate the negative consequences associated with misuse.

Respectful Use in Public Spaces: Encouraging individuals to be mindful of their surroundings and fellow citizens is crucial in public spaces. Practicing digital etiquette involves minimizing noise disruptions, refraining from loud phone conversations, and being conscious of personal space when using mobile phones.

Prioritizing Face-to-Face Interaction: Promoting digital etiquette entails prioritizing face-to-face interactions over excessive phone use during social gatherings or in group settings. Being fully present and engaged with others fosters genuine connections and prevents social isolation.

Responsible Mobile Phone Usage in Education: Educators can play a pivotal role in combatting mobile phone misuse by setting clear guidelines for responsible phone usage in educational settings. Encouraging students to use phones for academic purposes and providing designated phone-free zones during classes and exams can help maintain a focused learning environment.

Promoting Digital Empathy: Building a culture of digital empathy involves considering the impact of our online actions on others. Encouraging constructive communication, refraining from cyberbullying, and showing empathy towards those experiencing digital negativity can create a safer online community.

Balancing Screen Time: Promoting digital etiquette includes advocating for a healthy balance between screen time and real-life activities. Encouraging individuals to take breaks from their phones, engage in physical activities, and spend quality time with loved ones fosters overall well-being.

Conclusion: Digital etiquette plays a vital role in combating mobile phone misuse and fostering a positive digital environment. By promoting respectful and responsible mobile phone practices, we can harness the benefits of technology while mitigating the potential risks associated with misuse. Encouraging digital empathy, prioritizing face-to-face interactions, and setting clear guidelines for responsible usage are crucial steps toward creating a healthier and more harmonious digital landscape.

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Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones Essay

Let’s start with this article on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones … 

Introduction- A Great Achievement

When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone first, no one was sure that this invention would rapidly change the world in just a single click. Mobile phone is the modern version of telephone and the biggest invention which has made communication easier and faster. A mobile phone is also known as a cell phone or cellular phone. It is a wireless device .

The invention of mobile phones is a great achievement. It plays an important role in our life. Its development brought convenience and advantages to the world. It is one of the latest inventions of modern science, it is small in size that can be easily carried with us. It has made our everyday life easy going and tension free. We cannot now communicate easily with anybody from anywhere.

Mobile phones have various uses. The mobile phone is used to communicate over long and short distances without wires.  Because of its great benefits, the number of mobile phone users is increasing day by day. Mobile phones are used for taking photos and videos. It is also used for audio recording, sending messages, video calls, social media, etc. At the same time, parents can control their children in the cases of emergencies. Mobile is once easily available to help in case of an emergency. They say a lot of time and energy. Thus they established one to one relationship.

They also keep loved and near ones well-connected. Sitting at a place one can run one’s business at several places simultaneously in different cities and countries with the help of mobile phones. One can avail oneself of Banking facilities, travel bookings, doctor’s appointments, online learning, can handle office issues, can interact with his child teacher’s during a parents-teachers meeting, and many more things setting at home or in the office with the help of mobile phones. Mobile is also a great source of entertainment.

We can listen to songs, watch movies, play games, get live Cricket scores, market updates, and even news headlines. No matter where one goes, cell phones are only hope of keeping families connected. Mobile phones are used to communicate wirelessly and across borders. Therefore in cases of emergency and natural disasters, a mobile phone is often the best way to communicate and seek help. 

Its Abuses-

Every positive thing has some negative aspects as well. Mobile phone is also not an exception to this. Too much use of mobile may harm our brain, eyes, ears, and create joint and muscle pain, etc. kind of physical and mental health issues. These days internet facility is also available on mobile payments. So people spend more time with their mobile phones. Its radiation may be dangerous to health. It may cause headache, earache, sleeplessness, blurry vision, and many more health problems.

Mobiles have adversely affected the reading habits, particularly of the children. The time they should devote in reading is occupied in enjoying video games. According to studies mobile phones can give rise to stress, anxiety, or addiction. It especially refers to teenagers. It has been observed that teenagers who use their mobile phones too frequently are more prone to anxiety, sleep disorders, stress, fatigue and lack of concentration, etc. Now ad ays use of mobile phones during driving is one of the main causes of accidents. Talking and texting messages while driving or walking is really a very serious problem with its users.

Number of mobile phones users is increasing day by day but in fact, many of us don’t have mobile etiquette. Its users often speak at a high volume. They are not even least concerned for other people nearby. The ringing of mobile phones at funerals, meeting’s and doctor’s clinics has become very common which is extremely awkward, irritating, and inconvenient for others present nearby. Sometimes it is noticed that mobile phones start ringing in classes even in presence of teachers. It’s a matter of serious concern for the parents. Before providing cell phones to their children they must teach them cell phone etiquette. Due to lack of mobile phone etiquette, jammers are being used at many places like schools, colleges, some areas of offices, hospitals, and other public places. 

Conclusion of Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones-

 Technology is here to make life convenient.. Mobile phones are very useful and necessary in present time what we must be careful that they cause less harm to us. We should avoid its too much use and should keep it away from small children. If used to properly they are indeed a boon to us. Now it is up to us whether we want to use it properly or misuse it.

Thank you guys, for spending your valuable time on this blog of Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones. Please share it with your friends and let me know your feedback in the comment section.

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Essay on Mobile Phone: 100 Words, 300 Words, 500 Words

• Updated on  
• Feb 21, 2024

Mobile Phones are portable electronic devices used to make calls, browse the internet, click pictures, and do several other tasks. However, the mobile phones discovered in the early 1970s were quite different from the compact and slim devices we use today. Cell phones were invented by John F. Mitchell and Martin Cooper of Motorola in 1973.

As modern humans, we all use mobile phones for our day-to-day functioning. At academic and higher education levels, students are given the task of writing an essay on mobile phones. An essay on mobile phones requires a comprehensive and detailed study of their history, major developments and the purposes it serve. In this article, we have provided essays on mobile phones for class 6,7,8.9, 10, and 12th standard students. Students can refer to these sample essays on mobile phones to write their own. Keep reading to find out essays on mobile phones and some fun facts about the device.

Table of Contents

• 1 Sample Essay on Mobile Phone (100 Words)
• 2 Sample Essay on Mobile Phone (300 words)
• 3 Sample Essay on Mobile Phone (500 words)
• 4 Essay on Mobile Phone: 5+ Facts About Smartphones

Sample Essay on Mobile Phone (100 Words)

Also Read: The Beginner’s Guide to Writing an Essay

Sample Essay on Mobile Phone (300 words)

Also Read: Essay on Importance of the Internet

Sample Essay on Mobile Phone (500 words)

Essay on mobile phone: 5+ facts about smartphones.

Here we have listed some of the interesting facts about smartphones. These facts can be added to the ‘essay on mobile phones’ to make it more interesting. Below are the 5 interesting facts about smartphones:

• The most expensive smartphone in the world is the Falcon Supernova iPhone 6 Pink Diamond. It is worth  $48.5 million.
• The cheapest mobile phone in the world is the Freedom 251. It just cost INR 251.
• Apple is the world’s most popular smartphone
• The first phone greeting was “Ahoy-hoy, who’s calling please?” 
• The first smartphone was invented by IBM. It was released by IBM in 1994. The original screen name of the 1st smartphone was “Simon.” 
• The first text message in the world was ‘Merry Christmas’

Also Read: Holi Essay: Free Sample Essays 100 To 500 Words In English

A mobile phone system gets its name from diving the service into small cells. Each of these cells has a base station with a useful range in the order of a kilometre/mile.

Mobile phones have become extremely important due to the ease of communication it has brought about. Moreover, it can perform several major tasks easily and effectively. For example, a calculator. Aside from this mobile phones can help a user connect to the internet, and use social media applications, and other applications. Mobile phones can even assist in online payment. 

The full form or the meaning of a Moble is Modified, Operation, Byte, Integration, Limited, Energy”. John F. Mitchell and Martin Cooper of Motorola discovered the device in 1973. An essay on mobile phones can include the mobile phone full form.

Related Articles

Mobile phones have become an indispensable part of our lifestyle. There are several advantages and disadvantages of having a smartphone. However, the pros outweigh the cons. A mobile phone essay can be written by including both the advantages and disadvantages. To discover more articles like this one, consult the study abroad expert at Leverage Edu.

Blessy George

Blessy George works as a Content Marketing Associate at Leverage Edu. She has completed her M.A. in Political Science and has experience working as an Intern with CashKaro. She has written extensively on studying abroad, English Test preparation, visas, and online courses. During her free time, she likes to read and write poetry, and songs.

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Misuse of Mobile Phones Essay in English

Misuse of mobile phone.

In the fast pace of 21 st century, technology is the part of everyone’s life. Things have become much more convenient. In the past, people faced many problems to perform simple calculation, and day to day task but with the invention of mobile phone everything is just one tap away.

The world has turned into global village, anyone can communicate with each other, even if they live poles apart. Mobile phones have brought people closer, and made things easy. The tasks which were complicated, and time taking are now performed within the blink of an eye. Another important aspect is its use in the field of education, now the students have access to numerous amounts of websites where they can easily gather information regarding their subjects. With all the positive aspects, and brighter side of mobile phone there are many negative aspects that can’t be ignored.

Mobile phones have their own pros, and cons. The biggest dilemma of our society is that mobile phones are now accessible to everyone even children of age 5, or 7 are also found immersed in the usage of mobile phones. The biggest misuse of phone is for the social media which has become very popular in our youth. You can find almost anyone on different social media platforms where young people are indulged in competing with each other for material things. Everyone wants to capture a picture of anything they eat, or buy, and later they post it on the social media just to flaunt off their social status, due to which many other people who belong to the lower strata of society gets involved into inferiority complex, and face depression in their life.

Excessive usage of mobile phone has adverse effects on the health of people. Children at a very young age are affected by weak eyesight. While sleeping at night people keep their phones closer to them, and the harmful rays of the mobile phone radiations affects their brain, as a result brain tumor, or brain cancer is becoming more common in the population. People spend their free time on mobile phones instead of taking rest which adds more fuel to the fire of medical problems.

Apart from health, mobile phones are also affecting the relationships. In the past people used to meet, and greet each other on special occasions such as birthdays, New Year’s, eid festive etc but now all they do is send a message through their mobile phones, due to which physical contact is lost as a result when people are in dire need no one really approaches them. A certain distance is created between family members because when they sit together instead of spending time with each other, they spend their time on useless, and baseless chats on mobile phone.

There is a beautiful saying, “Realize it before you lose.” This quotation is relevant in the 21 st century as we all are so deeply involved in our gadgets like mobile phones that we do not even realize the negative affect that it is bringing in our life, and in our society as a whole. It is the hour of need when we should know the importance of reality, so that we may shift our focus from virtual world to real world.  Excess of everything is bad; if it is used in a correct manner we can enjoy our life as well as stabilize our relationships for a healthy future.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Smartphone abuse amongst adolescents: the role of impulsivity and sensation seeking.

• 1 Departamento de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
• 2 Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
• 3 Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, Logroño, Spain

Adolescence is the stage of development where the reward and emotional regulation systems are yet to be adjusted and where most excessive behaviors start, like smartphone abuse. In addition, in this evolutionary period adolescents are more susceptible to behavioral changes through specific interventions or educational programs. Thus, it is fundamental to analyze the personality profile of those adolescents showing excessive mobile phone usage to properly approach later prevention strategies. Impulsivity is one of the most repeated variables associated with teenage addictions, although it has been observed that not all impulsive behaviors need to be detrimental. The aim of this study is to analyze how impulsivity affects smartphone addiction directly, but also indirectly, by assessing its association with sensation seeking variables (thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility) which are in turn decisive when using these technologies improperly. The sample was made up of 614 adolescents aged 13–18 attending secondary education from Burgos, Spain. Dickman Impulsivity Inventory, Sensation Seeking Scale, and Ad-hoc questionnaire on adolescent self-perception as to smartphone use were applied. Results show that 41.4% of participants admit to abusing smartphones sometimes, while 18.3% admit to abusing them more frequently and 24% to, at least ever, having defined themselves as smartphone addicts. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that gender (female), dysfunctional impulsivity and sensation seeking (disinhibition and thrill and adventure seeking) evidence 15.7% of variance in smartphone abuse. In addition, sensation seeking (thrill and adventure seeking, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility) were found to mediate the relationship between dysfunctional impulsivity and smartphone abuse. Therefore, dysfunctional impulsivity was directly connected with teenage smartphone abuse, but also had an indirect stronger association through thrill and adventure seeking, disinhibition and boredom susceptibility.

Introduction

The relationship between adolescents and their way to use information and communication technologies (hereinafter referred to as ICTs) have raised much interest in research over the last few years, in view of the number of publications in this respect. ICTs have involved great benefits in labor, education and society, but all its advantages are eclipsed when used improperly, since they may generate psychophysiological, affective and social problems.

There is no consensus in the scientific literature about the best term to refer to improperly use of the smartphone; the most commonly used concepts are problematic, abusive, excessive or maladaptive use. However, all of them refer to excessive use in time, inappropriate in situation and that interferes with the person’s daily activities at a personal, work, academic level and/or in relationships with family or friends ( De Sola-Gutiérrez et al., 2013 ; Bian and Leung, 2015 ; Aljomaa et al., 2016 ; Panova and Carbonell, 2018 ). Nevertheless, the limits of abusive behavior are blurred, for example, for Montag and Walla (2016) the relationship between smartphone use and adaptive functioning represents an inverted U-curve, where moderate use has beneficial effects but excessive use has harmful consequences.

The potentially negative effects of an excessive use of the smartphone become especially important amongst teenagers, since the psychological skills which support their decision-making and moderate risk-taking are still developing ( Steinberg, 2005 ). The adolescent brain has not yet completed its development, especially the prefrontal areas, which are involved in processes of regulation, planning and execution of action, so they are more vulnerable to abusive behaviors ( Prencipe et al., 2011 ). In addition, some authors link lower inhibitory control to problematic ICT use in adolescents ( Marco and Chóliz, 2012 ; Pedrero-Pérez et al., 2021 ). Thus, adolescence is the stage at which most excessive behaviors start, as occurs, for example, with alcohol consumption ( Zych et al., 2020 ).

Other research lines suggest that there are gender differences in smartphone abuse behavior and that women are more at risk of misusing this technological support ( Rial et al., 2015 ; Álvarez and Moral, 2020 ; Li et al., 2021 ), although further research in this direction is still needed.

Even when spending too much time on the mobile phone does not make an adolescent an addict, different studies relate excessive smartphone usage to mental health issues. In this way, it has been related to stress, social anxiety and depression ( Lee et al., 2014 ; Seo et al., 2016 ; Lapierre et al., 2019 ), low self-esteem, cognitive and academic performance issues ( Caplan, 2007 ; Leung, 2008 ; Marín-Vila et al., 2018 ), substance abuse ( Sánchez-Martínez and Otero, 2009 ; López-Fernández et al., 2012 ) and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) ( Alt, 2015 ; Santana-Vega et al., 2018 ; Wolniewicz et al., 2018 ), especially at this stage of development where the sense of belonging plays such an important part.

Although it is complicated to determine the directionality of the relationship between smartphone abuse and mental health problems, it can indeed be affirmed that adolescents who displays excessive use of their smartphone often do so as a strategy to cope with negative emotions ( Sun et al., 2019 ), for example boredom, social anxiety and depression ( Yue et al., 2021 ).

In any case, if the abusive use of smartphone precedes mental suffering, dependence on such devices can be reduced to maintain or improve wellbeing. For this purpose, it is fundamental to analyze the personality profile of those young adults that show excessive mobile phone usage and impulsive behavior turns out to be one of the most recurring variables when delving into teenage addiction predisposition. In fact, impulsive behavior is considered one of the most relevant vulnerability axes ( Billieux et al., 2007 , 2008 ; Andreassen et al., 2013 ; Roberts et al., 2015 ).

However, not all impulsive behaviors need to be problematic, especially in tasks which need to be completed in a short period of time. For such a reason, some researchers have suggested two types of impulsivity: functional and dysfunctional ( Dickman, 1990 , 1993 , 2000 ). Functional impulsivity is a quick information processing model which usually leads to correct answers, while dysfunctional impulsivity is a tendency to make quick, poorly planned and impulsive decisions which could result in mistakes or problems ( Pedrero-Pérez et al., 2012 ).

Dysfunctional impulsive behaviors may increase adolescents’ likelihood to adopt behaviors which put their health at risk, such as alcohol abuse ( Narváez and Caro, 2015 ), predisposition to start or increase cannabis consumption ( Moreno et al., 2012 ; Limonero et al., 2013 ) or an excessive usage of internet and smartphones ( Billieux et al., 2008 ; Moral and Fernández, 2019 ). Later on, impulsive behaviors are maintained by positive reinforcement and are usually oriented toward the achievement of a hedonic goal ( Pedrero-Pérez et al., 2021 ).

As to the sensation seeking variable, it may be categorized as a psychobiological disposition featured by the search for varied, novel, complex and intense experiences and feelings, as well as a by a certain inclination to become involved in risky situations ( Zuckerman, 2007 ). Although it is true that, ontogenetically speaking, this personality feature is more remarkable in adolescence than at other developmental stages, certain variations can be appreciated from an individual to another.

Sensation seeking has been linked to risky behaviors in adolescence. For example, it has been related to smoking ( Latorre-Román et al., 2014 ), an excessive consumption of alcohol and other substances ( Zuckerman and Aluja, 2014 ; Merchán et al., 2020 ) and smartphone addiction ( Leung, 2008 ). Especially linked to risk-taking are the disinhibition and the thrill and adventure seeking subscales of the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking questionnaire ( Lac and Donaldson, 2021 ; Siraj et al., 2021 ), both related to impulsive behavior as well ( Stoyanova and Ivantchev, 2021 ).

Thus, impulsivity and sensation seeking are two variables directly associated with abusive behavior, for example with smartphone use. In addition, impulsivity, especially dysfunctional, is directly related to sensation seeking, and may have an essential role in excessive behaviors. In fact, many researchers show that sensation seeking, functional and dysfunctional impulsivity had a significant and positive correlation ( Magid et al., 2007 ). Moreover, dysfunctional impulsivity seems to be the one which shows a more direct impact on sensation seeking ( Stoyanova and Ivantchev, 2021 ), which may turn the variable into a mediator between impulsivity and excessive behaviors.

This relationship between both variables has an exceptionally explanatory value ( Myrseth et al., 2012 ; De Sola-Gutiérrez et al., 2013 ). Being highly sensitive to new stimuli involves exploring and trying new experiences. It is therefore the presence of impulsivity as associated with sensation seeking which may precede an abusive behavior.

Consequently, the aim of this research was, on the one hand to analyze the direct association of impulsivity and sensation seeking scales (thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, and disinhibition and boredom susceptibility) on smartphone usage; and, on the second hand to evaluate the indirect association of dysfunctional impulsivity on smartphone abuse, through the sensation seeking variables which are in turn decisive when using these technologies improperly. Thus, greater dysfunctional impulsivity increases the variables related to sensation seeking, and this ultimately increases the smartphone abuse.

Materials and Methods

In the first place, the aims and purposes of this study were presented to the Provincial Department of Education in Burgos, Spain. Once the permissions were obtained, eight public educative centers were selected using random cluster sampling to conduct the study. Each center was informed about the study and their voluntary participation was requested. The tests were applied on all the students between 13 and 18 years who voluntarily agreed to participate, after informed consent was obtained from their parents. The inclusion criteria did not require having a smartphone to participate in the study. Tools used in this study were administered collectively in a classroom with the presence of their class teacher and a member of the research team. Participants were informed again that participation was voluntary, that the responses were anonymous and that they could withdraw from participating at any time. Then, each student answered individually and anonymously in 20 mins approximately.

Dickman Impulsivity Inventory

The DII ( Dickman, 1990 ; Chico et al., 2003 ) is a 23-item true/false questionnaire divided into two subscales: (a) Functional impulsivity (FI) with 11 items (i.e.: “I am uncomfortable when I have to make up my mind rapidly”), and (b) Dysfunctional impulsivity (DI) with 12 items (i.e.: “I will often say whatever comes into my head without thinking first”). The Spanish version of the instrument ( Chico et al., 2003 ) has been used frequently in adolescent samples and shows adequate psychometric properties ( Vigil-Coleṭ and Morales-Vives, 2005 ; Vigil-Colet et al., 2008 ; Puerta-Cortés et al., 2017 ). Cronbach’s alpha values in Spanish version were 0.74 for functional impulsivity and 0.86 for dysfunctional impulsivity ( Pedrero-Pérez, 2009 ).

Sensation Seeking Scale V

This scale ( Zuckerman et al., 1978 ; Tous, 1984 ) consists of 40 true/false items divided into four subscales of 10 items each: (a) Thrill and adventure seeking (TAS), that refers to the desire to get involved in extreme activities by the unusual sensations they cause (i.e.: “I often wish I could be a mountain climber”); (b) Experience seeking (ES), that refers to the search for activation from unconventional lifestyles: experiences through the senses, travel, art, music, food, clothing, the style of bohemian life and the company of unconventional friendships (i.e.: “I like to explore a strange city or section of town myself, even if it means getting lost”); (c) Disinhibition (Dis), that reflects the desire to experiment through sexual and social stimulation, fun and parties (i.e.: “I like wild “uninhibited” parties”); and (d) Boredom susceptibility (BS) which refers to intolerance to monotonous and predictable conditions (i.e.: “I can’t stand watching a movie that I’ve seen before”). This questionnaire has often been used in adolescent samples showing good psychometric properties ( Martínez-Lorca and Alonso-Sanz, 2003 ; Padrós Blázquez et al., 2020 ). The Spanish version of the instrument ( Chico, 2000 ) showed an adequate reliability of the global scale (Cronbach’s alpha ranged between 0.83 and 0.86), and for four subscales Cronbach’s alpha between 0.56 and 0.82.

Ad-hoc Questionnaire on Adolescent Self-Perception as to Smartphone Use

This instrument was built for the purpose of this research with the aim to evaluate the habits of the participants in relation to the use of the telephone and possible consequences of inappropriate use. Ad-hoc questionnaire consists of nine questions with five possible answers (1 = never, 2 = sometimes, 3 = often, 4 = nearly always, 5 = always). The questions were related to have a smartphone, how often they changed mobile phone, to have discussions with parents about using the phone, if parents felt that their children were spending a lot of money on the smartphone, influence of the use of smartphone in school performance, anger or irritation from not using the phone, if they could live without a smartphone, if they felt they were abusing the phone and if they considered themselves addicted. The question about whether they felt they were abusing the smartphone was used as a dependent variable in the analyzes carried out.

Ethics Statement

The ethical standards of the American Psychological Association (APA) were employed to design the research and data collection.

Statistical Analysis

Data analysis was performed with SPSS-25 statistical package, using frequencies to describe the percentage of use and abuse of smartphone, and stepwise regression to assess factors which could influence smartphone abuse, evaluated by asking if they feel they abuse of the smartphone. Factors included were gender, age, sensation seeking scales and functional and dysfunctional impulsivity.

In order to evaluate the mediation of sensation seeking in the relationship between dysfunctional impulsivity and smartphone abuse (see Figure 1 ), a multiple mediation analysis was performed with PROCESS tool using the bias-corrected bootstrapping method ( Preacher and Hayes, 2004 , 2008 ). Percentile bootstrap confidence intervals (CIs) are examined to determine significative paths, if zero is contained within the 95% CIs, then the lack of significance is assumed ( Shrout and Bolger, 2002 ; Preacher and Hayes, 2008 ).

Figure 1. Proposed model of the indirect effect of dysfunctional impulsivity on smartphone abuse through sensation seeking scales.

Sample and Participants

The sample was comprised of 614 adolescents, 49% male and 51% female, aged 13–18 years ( M = 15.76, SD = 1.16), attending secondary education in eight publics or privates schools of Burgos, Spain.

Regarding the educational level, all participants were enrolled in secondary education. Specifically, 22.5% were in the 3rd year of ESO (Compulsory Secondary Education), 26.9% in the 4th year of ESO, 27% in the 1st year of Spanish baccalaureate and 23.6% were studying in the 2nd year. Regarding living conditions, most of the participants lived with their parents (86%), 11% lived only with their mother, 2% with their father, and 0.6% with another family member.

Results of the General Smartphone Use

With regard to the use made of the smartphone, majority of participants have one of their own (98.5%), and 30.3% of them change phones every year and 50.7% every 2 years. A total of 25.2% of participants admit that they have fought with their parents due to the use they make of the mobile phone, 41.8% state that their parents think that they spend too much money on mobile phones and 15.8% consider that mobile use might have reduced their achievement at school. More than a third of the participants, 37.7%, have, at least sometimes, felt anxious or irritated when unable to use mobile phones and only 32.1% stated that they could easily do without them. Moreover, 41.4% admit to abusing smartphones sometimes, while 18.3% admit to abusing them more frequently and 24% to, at least ever, having defined themselves as smartphone addicts.

Results of the Stepwise Regression Analysis

In order to determine the factors associated with smartphone addiction in adolescents, a stepwise regression analysis was performed. Gender, age, sensation seeking variables (thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, and disinhibition and boredom susceptibility), functional and dysfunctional impulsivity were included as factors in the analysis. As Table 1 conveys, results of the analysis show that gender (being female), dysfunctional impulsivity and sensation seeking (disinhibition and thrill and adventure seeking) were predictors that explained, in total, 15.8% of variance in smartphone abuse. Nevertheless, age, experience seeking, boredom susceptibility and functional impulsivity were not significant factors related to smartphone abuse.

Table 1. Results of the stepwise regression analysis for smartphone abuse.

Multiple Mediation Analysis of Sensation Seeking Scales

The mediation analysis of sensation seeking variables in the relationship between dysfunctional impulsivity and smartphone abuse was analyzed using the 5,000 bootstrap and bias-corrected and accelerated 95% CI procedure ( Preacher and Hayes, 2004 ). Once gender had been controlled for, results revealed that paths a, from dysfunctional impulsivity to sensation seeking scales were significant (see Table 2 ). On the other hand, with regards to the paths b, from the proposed mediators to mobile abuse, three of four paths were significant. Specifically, thrill and adventure seeking, disinhibition and boredom susceptibility as Table 2 conveys.

Table 2. Indirect effect of dysfunctional impulsivity on smartphone abuse through sensation seeking scales.

In addition, when controlling for gender ( B = 0.4129, SE = 0.0684, p < 0.001), the total effect (path c) of dysfunctional impulsivity on smartphone addiction was significant (total effect: B = 0.0664, SE = 0.0162, p = 0.001) and higher than the direct effect (path c′) (direct effect: B = 0.0514., SE = 0.0162, p < 0.05) The proposed model explained 9.31% ( F = 28.7891, p < 0.001) of the variance of mobile phone addiction.

Total indirect effect of dysfunctional impulsivity on mobile addiction through the sensation seeking variables was significant ( B = 0.0184, at 95% confidence lower limit = 0.0049, upper limit = 0.0337). Regarding to the specific indirect effect (see Table 2 ), three of the proposed mediators were significant: thrill and adventure seeking ( B = −0.0068, at 95% confidence lower limit = −0.0140, upper limit = −0.0015), disinhibition ( B = 0.0140, at 95% confidence lower limit = 0.0055, upper limit = 0.0251) and boredom susceptibility ( B = 0.0085, at 95% confidence lower limit = 0.0011, upper limit = 0.0172).

This study is intended to give response to some unanswered questions on the personality variables related to smartphone abuse in adolescents, as well as determining some direct and indirect factors related to unadaptive smartphone usage.

Specifically, the aim of this research was, on the one hand to analyze the smartphone use among adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18; to assess the direct association of impulsivity and sensation seeking scales (thrill and adventure seeking, experience seeking, and disinhibition and boredom susceptibility) on smartphone abuse; and, on the other hand to evaluate the indirect association of dysfunctional impulsivity on smartphone abuse, through the sensation seeking variables.

Results show that smartphone use and abuse by this adolescent sample was high. Specifically, a 41.4% of participants admit to abusing smartphones sometimes, while 18.3% admit to abusing them more frequently and 24% have ever defined themselves as smartphone addicts. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that gender (female), dysfunctional impulsivity and sensation seeking (disinhibition and thrill and adventure seeking) evidence 15.7% of variance in smartphone abuse. In addition, sensation seeking (thrill and adventure seeking and disinhibition and boredom susceptibility) were found to mediate the relationship between dysfunctional impulsivity and smartphone abuse.

Use and abuse of ICTs and, in particular, of smartphones, has increased rapidly over the last few years. Results show a high usage of smartphones amongst the adolescents of this sample. Virtually all of them have their own smartphone and keep switching to new models. Moreover, a third of them declare that being unable to use the smartphone cause negative feelings in them, such as anger. Also, almost half of the respondents affirmed that they could be considered mobile abusers in some way, while a fourth part define themselves as mobile addicts. Prior studies conducted on Spanish population showed that approximately a quarter of the population could be considered dependent on mobile phones ( Sánchez-Martínez and Otero, 2009 ; Ballestar-Tarín et al., 2020 ) and that the younger the population was, the more dependent they were ( Ballestar-Tarín et al., 2020 ). Similar results have been observed in other cultural environments ( Kwon et al., 2013 ; Machado-Khoury et al., 2019 ). These data are quite significant, since they demonstrate the excessive use which is often made of smartphones amongst young adults. However, in the present study, age was not a significant factor in smartphone abuse, so more research would be needed in this regard in the Spanish adolescent population.

On the other hand, by analyzing factors intimately related to excessive smartphone usage, several significant variables were observed. Being a female was associated with greater smartphone addiction, apart from dysfunctional impulsivity and two of the sensation seeking scales (disinhibition and thrill and adventure seeking).

As to gender, this is a controverted matter, as some authors consider being a female as a risk factor toward improper usage of smartphones ( Rial et al., 2015 ; Álvarez and Moral, 2020 ; Li et al., 2021 ), with a greater dependence on them amongst females ( Sánchez-Martínez and Otero, 2009 ; Álvarez and Moral, 2020 ; Ballestar-Tarín et al., 2020 ), while others do not find such a relation ( Son et al., 2021 ). Our study shows a clearly direct relationship, as it is the first factor which emerges upon analysis of smartphone addiction and which itself explains 7.3% of improper mobile usage. Some authors affirm that female propensity to this sort of dependence is linked to their inclination to display more prosocial behavior ( Veissière and Stendel, 2018 ). Another relevant aspect contemplated under the scientific literature is that, in some occasions, females state that using a smartphone help them face unpleasant mood or relieve emotional distress ( Chóliz et al., 2009 ; García-Oliva and Piqueras, 2016 ).

As to impulsivity, results show that dysfunctional impulsivity was the third factor related to smartphone addiction, explaining a supplementary 1.8% of variance in this excessive behavior. These results show themselves consistent with those of other researchers relating impulsivity to predisposition to, or maintenance of, abusive behaviors toward technologies ( Billieux et al., 2008 ; Meerkerk et al., 2010 ; Jiang and Shi, 2016 ). As discussed above, dysfunctional impulsivity is related to poor planning of own behaviors, which can lead to action without evaluating the consequences, and may facilitate smartphone dependence ( Verdejo et al., 2008 ; Pedrero-Pérez, 2009 ; Kim et al., 2016 ).

We also observed a direct relation of sensation seeking variables on smartphone abuse in the present study, specifically disinhibition, which was the second associated factor, while thrill and adventure seeking was the fourth one, both explaining 5.4 and 1.4% of mobile phone addiction, respectively. Previous studies have approached smartphone addiction as associated with sensation seeking, specifically with boredom during leisure time and thrill and adventure seeking ( Leung, 2008 ) and also with disinhibition, even when the latter was more linked to risk behaviors with a sexual intent ( Schoeps et al., 2020 ). Disinhibition and thrill and adventure seeking seem to be the variables which are most associated with risk behaviors ( Lac and Donaldson, 2021 ; Siraj et al., 2021 ). Thus, both factors seemingly relate to impulsive behavior in adolescence as well ( Stoyanova and Ivantchev, 2021 ). In fact, sensation seeking is featured by behaviors that involve a risk or bring new thrills ( Zuckerman, 2007 ), so it is logical that these variables are related to smartphone addiction, since this device provides quick access to apps and social media that provide new stimuli on a continuous basis.

Lastly, as has been observed, dysfunctional impulsivity has a direct association with teenage smartphone abuse, but also an indirectly stronger relationship through sensation seeking (thrill and adventure seeking and disinhibition and boredom susceptibility).

We can affirm that dysfunctional impulsivity is a vulnerability marker in smartphone abuse, especially when is linked to the sensation seeking variable ( Beard, 2011 ; Dalbudak et al., 2013 ). Even Zuckerman himself, who was interested in boredom susceptibility in particular, later suggested a more comprehensive and psychobiology-based approach to personality, including a new dimension: impulsive sensation seeking, with an emphasis on the relationship between both variables ( Zuckerman, 2006 ).

In this study, we appreciate that indirect relationship of impulsivity with smartphone abuse through sensation seeking becomes more important than the direct one. As a result, adolescents with boredom susceptibility, with disinhibited behavior and prone to thrill and adventure seeking that are also dysfunctionally impulsive may show an aggravated abuse of smartphones through a negative reinforcement process to soothe a dysphoric mood. Previous studies had already shown that abusive behaviors could be related to sensation seeking (boredom susceptibility, disinhibition and thrill and adventure seeking) ( Leung, 2008 ; Lac and Donaldson, 2021 ; Siraj et al., 2021 ), but also that sensation seeking was related to dysfunctional impulsivity ( Stoyanova and Ivantchev, 2021 ). Therefore, it is possible that dysfunctional impulsivity acts by increasing abusive behavior with smartphones as a consequence of the increased susceptibility of adolescents to sensation seeking. Nevertheless, experience seeking was not a mediator in the relationship between dysfunctional impulsivity and smartphone abuse. Previous studies have shown that experience seeking is not usually related to smartphone abuse or other abusive behaviors ( Annalakshmi et al., 2020 ; Lac and Donaldson, 2021 ; Siraj et al., 2021 ), it is possible that for adolescents the smartphone is not seen as a way to get new experiences, and for that purpose they use video games, travel and other activities ( Zuckerman and Aluja, 2014 ).

This study has some limitations which are worth mentioning. Some limitations are the ones related to the use of self-reports and which are associated with response validity, which may be quite subjective and subject to the participants’ honesty and the moment at which the tests are completed. Although the sample size is large, this study, just like most studies conducted in this line of research, is cross-sectional, hence the difficulties involved in establishing predictive effects and the need to verify the results in longitudinal studies. Future research should also delve into age effects. Some studies link higher impulsivity scores with a younger age, although this result was not observed in this study. It is important to know how the impulsivity and sensation seeking pattern are related to age in order to be able to design educational strategies as early as possible in order to avoid the development of abusive behaviors in young people.

Despite the above, it is important to conduct this sort of research to polish the interventions addressed to the development of a culture of healthy usage of smartphones in the familial and social spheres. In this way, this analysis of the different scales within sensation seeking in association with impulsive behavior will help us elaborate a more accurate profile of adolescents with an abusive behavior in the use of smartphones. As a result, we would manage to raise social awareness of the risk involved in smartphone abuse and its adverse effects on adolescence.

It is also important for the study to be focused on adolescence, as many works on smartphone addiction are based on samples above 18 years old. Adolescence is a particularly susceptible development stage where excessive behaviors can be associated with psychosocial and emotional development, with long-term consequences that can be seen in adulthood. However, in adolescence, it is easier for behavior to be changed through specific intervention or educational programs, hence the importance of knowing what profiles are linked to excessive behaviors. This study then shows that it is necessary to pay attention to an impulsive psychosocial profile with a susceptibility to sensation seeking (thrill and adventure seeking and disinhibition and boredom susceptibility), as these are indicative of a propensity to smartphone abuse.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Ethical review and approval was not required for the study on human participants in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent to participate in this study was provided by the participants’ legal guardian/next of kin.

Author Contributions

GP formulated the research questions, designed the study, supervised the data collection, and wrote the manuscript. LR carried out the statistical analysis and wrote the manuscript. BM and CB were responsible for the statistical design of the study and assisted to wrote and edited the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Keywords : adolescents, impulsivity, sensation-seeking, mobile phone abuse, dysfunctional impulsivity

Citation: Pérez de Albéniz Garrote G, Rubio L, Medina Gómez B and Buedo-Guirado C (2021) Smartphone Abuse Amongst Adolescents: The Role of Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking. Front. Psychol. 12:746626. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.746626

Received: 24 July 2021; Accepted: 29 November 2021; Published: 16 December 2021.

Reviewed by:

Copyright © 2021 Pérez de Albéniz Garrote, Rubio, Medina Gómez and Buedo-Guirado. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Gloria Pérez de Albéniz Garrote, [email protected]

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Essay on Mobile Phone for Students [100, 150, 250, 400 Words]

Essay on Mobile Phone: Mobile Phone is a wonderful gift of science. In this article, you are going to learn to write an essay on Mobile Phone in English (100, 150, 250 and 400 Words). So, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Essay on Mobile Phone: 100 Words

The mobile phone is one of the greatest gifts of modern science. It is also called cell phone or smart phone.  It is a great medium of communication. In earlier times mobile phones were used only for communication. But now-a-days a mobile phone is used as an entertainment device. We can use it for watching videos, listening to music, capturing pictures, web browsing, calculating, navigating and many more purposes.

The mobile phone has many advantages but we should use it in moderation. Excessive use of mobile phones can affect our physical and mental health. Students often misuse it and their study is affected badly. We should use our mobile phones very wisely.

Mobile Phone Essay: 150 Words

The mobile phone is a miracle of science. From a minor student to an ordinary Worker, everyone possesses a cell phone. Indeed, this is a very popular item today. It is truly, a mark of modern living, a part of the modern life-style. Of course, its usefulness is undeniable. Now a man can have communication anywhere, anytime to anyone sitting thousands of kilometers from him.

Today it is not only a communication device. It can be used for a number of purposes like online ticket booking, navigation, playing video games, taking pictures, recording videos, web browsing, video calling etc. In fact, now we use mobile phone for taking online classes. Hence it is called a Smart Phone. At the same time, the excessive craze for this is not desirable and may even prove dangerous. Mobile phone is to be taken as an utility service, and not as a show-piece.

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Essay on Mobile Phone: 250 Words

A mobile phone or cell phone is a hand-held portable radiophone that uses the cellular or satellite network for voice or data communication. Unlike landline phones, which are fixed, mobile phones can be easily carried, and one can contact a person anywhere whether at home, on the bus, in street, or in a meeting. Apart from talking, it can be used for sending SMS, e-mail and for taking photos and videos.

High-end mobiles act as mini computers, offering services like internet, diary, music, iPod, calculator, alarm clock, etc. It is extremely useful in emergencies. But there is a tendency to abuse it. To many, it is an Addiction rather than a necessity. A cell phone ringing in an auditorium is most annoying. Using a mobile phone while driving a car or a motorbike and crossing a road or a railway track had led to many accidents.

Teleshopping is a great nuisance. Privacy is often violated, as most mobile users are unaware that they could be photographed or tracked. Terrorists use this gadget to trigger bombs and achieve their ends. Mobiles can also cause health hazards. The radiations from mobiles may cause injury to the brain. Cellphones on vibration mode put in front pocket may damage the heartbeat system. With all its advantages, what is, therefore, needed is moderation in the use of mobile phones.

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Essay on Mobile Phones: 400 Words

When telephone was first introduced in the world in the 1950s, people were keenly interested in it. As an easier way of communication, telephone has its own merit. Of late, the introduction of mobiles makes an easy access to communication. It is in fact inevitable in the present day of hurry and business. People have warmly accepted mobiles as the blessing of science. There is little doubt that without the use of mobiles none is nowadays able to lead one’s life quite normally. One is capable of communicating with people, staying far away very quickly. Thus many a problem can be well- solved by way of using these mobiles.

But everything has its merit and demerit. As science is a bane as well as a boon, mobiles are to some extent to be cursed. People, especially the young generation, have been abusing mobiles. They not only chat in an unexpected way but also indulge themselves in leading immoral life by abusing mobiles. Apart from this, several mercenary companies exploit the advantage of mobiles to meet their selfish ends. They do business through mobiles. As a result, young people have been misguided. To use mobiles is for them to be up to date. They avail themselves of the opportunity of the internet connection in their mobiles and do whatever they like to do. Obscene video clippings and some other versions of immoral entertainment are now available in mobiles. Therefore, the students have now tremendous fascination for the mobiles. Consequently, instead of studying, concentrate on using mobiles for sheer fun.

Another demerit is that because of the excessive use of the mobiles different companies plunge themselves into doing profitable business. Consequently, numerous towers have been erected for the network of mobiles. It is well known that a particular wave which is responsible for the mobile network does harm to the ecological balance of the environment. It is evident in the pale colors of the trees and fruits adjacent to the mobile towers.

Thus, it is the time to be conscious of the abuse of the mobiles. The concerned authority should take immediate steps to stop immoral business which is proliferating in abusing mobiles. All should remember that the sole purpose of mobile is to communicate. Entertainment may be available in the network of mobiles. But there should be no immoral design. Above all, the government should restrict the use of mobiles, so much so that anti-social activities may not be done through mobiles.

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Essay on Use and Misuse of Mobile Phone

In the age of technological advancement, the mobile phone has emerged as an indispensable companion, connecting individuals across distances and facilitating various aspects of daily life. However, with great convenience comes the potential for misuse, raising concerns about the impact of excessive mobile phone usage on personal well-being and societal dynamics. This essay explores the dual nature of mobile phones, examining both their valuable uses and the challenges posed by their potential misuse.

Quick Overview:

• Mobile phones have revolutionized communication, making it instantaneous and accessible. They enable people to stay connected with family, friends, and colleagues irrespective of geographical distances.
• The convenience of voice calls, text messages, and instant messaging applications has transformed the way individuals interact and maintain relationships.
• Mobile phones serve as portals to vast information networks. Users can access news, educational resources, and work-related information with a few taps on their screens.
• In professional settings, mobile phones enhance productivity by enabling remote work, email communication, and access to organizational tools and applications.
• Mobile phones provide a plethora of entertainment options, from streaming movies and music to playing games. They have become portable multimedia hubs, offering a diverse range of content to suit individual preferences.
• The ability to capture and share photos and videos adds a personal and creative dimension to the mobile phone’s role in entertainment.
• Social media platforms accessible via mobile phones facilitate networking, community building, and information sharing. Users can engage with global trends, connect with like-minded individuals, and participate in online communities.
• The interactive nature of social media fosters a sense of interconnectedness but also introduces challenges related to privacy, cyberbullying, and misinformation.
• Excessive mobile phone use can lead to various challenges, including addiction, sleep disturbances, and decreased face-to-face social interactions. The constant connectivity may contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety.
• Misuse extends to issues like distracted driving, where phone usage poses risks to road safety. Additionally, concerns about privacy breaches, online harassment, and the negative impact on mental health have emerged.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the mobile phone is a double-edged sword, offering unparalleled convenience and connectivity while presenting challenges related to misuse. Recognizing and balancing the positive uses of mobile phones with the potential pitfalls is essential for individuals and society at large. As we navigate the digital landscape, it becomes imperative to harness the benefits of mobile technology while cultivating responsible usage habits. Ultimately, the responsible and mindful use of mobile phones can ensure that these technological marvels continue to enhance our lives without compromising our well-being and societal harmony.

Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.

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Essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

It is not a naive task to write an essay that concretely focuses on the uses and abuses of mobile phones in just 100-500 words. We know there’s pretty huge load of information available on the web for the essay on the Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones .

Most of you are not able to judge an authoritative essay that you randomly find online. You cannot deny the fact that the essay becomes unyielding both to read and memorize if not written in a specky manner.

So, here we are with the uses and abuses of mobile phones in points which will, for sure make you understand and retain better and faster.

Moreover, you can also use this essay in coupling with the ‘misuse of mobile phones by students’ essay which is pretty much the same. Are you ready? 🙂

Let’s begin…

Table of Contents

100 Words Essay on Uses and Abuses of  Mobile Phones

The mobile phone is a device that is used to make calls or to send messages to our near and dear ones. But there are both uses and abuses of mobile phones. Now a day the use of mobile phones is not only to make calls or send SMS.

In addition to that Mobile phone is used to listen to songs, watch movies, play online games, browse the internet, calculate things, etc. But there are some abuses of mobile phones also. Doctors have warned that excessive use of mobile phones can be harmful to our health.

Again mobile phone helps the anti-social groups in spreading their networks and they can easily do criminal activities in a much easier way with the help of mobile phone as well.

200 Words Essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

We all carry a mobile phone or a smartphone with us. It helps us to communicate with our relatives or friends who are not near to us physically. The invention of the mobile phone is a great success in science.

Though the main uses of the mobile phone are to make calls or to send messages, it can also be used for multi-purpose tasks. In addition to calls or messages, the mobile phone can also be used as a calculator, camera, voice recording device, audio, video player, etc. one can browse the internet on his/her mobile phone.

No doubt the mobile phone has changed our lifestyle, but there are some abuses of the mobile phone, or we can say that there are a few disadvantages of mobile phones.

A recent survey reveals dangerous data that more than 35% to 40% of road accidents are caused due to use of mobile phones while driving across the globe. That is really a serious problem.

Again, some students misuse their mobile phones and give way to social pollution. On the other hand, the radiations emitted by mobile phones and their towers are very harmful to our health.

In conclusion, we must admit that there are both uses and abuses of the mobile phone. But the mobile phone plays a vital role in the development of our civilization. It should be used properly or in a proper manner.

300 Words Essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

Introduction -Now a day Mobile Phones have become a basic need for us. So Mobile phones have completely changed the lives of humans for many years. Mobiles have become widespread all over the world. With the invention of the mobile phone, the writing of letters has become a history.

In addition, mobile phones also play an anti-social role in mankind. It depends on its use of it. In summary, we can say that mobile phones have their use and misuse that depend entirely on the user.

Uses of Mobile phones – There are lots of uses for mobile phones. Mobile phones are an integral part of our daily communications. All mobile phones have the ability to voice and simple text messaging services.

Their small size, relatively low cost, and many uses make these devices very valuable to advocates who are increasingly using them for communication and organization. On the other hand mobile phones especially smartphones are used to watch movies, play games, listen to music, or browse the internet as well.

Abuses of mobile phones – On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of mobile phones as well. Teenagers or students are greatly influenced by the evil side of mobile phones.

Instead of using the mobile phone for their benefit some students or teenagers are seen wasting their valuable time indulging in listening to songs, playing online games, spending hours after hours on social networking sites, sending offensive messages, watching pornographic videos, etc. Again some physician claims that excessive use of mobile phones can be health hazardous.

Conclusion– the Mobile phone is the most popular and useful gadget in the present time. Though there are a few disadvantages of mobile phones, we cannot deny the usefulness or necessity of mobile phones in our day-to-day life.

Read Essay on Discipline in Students life .

500 Words Essay on Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

Introduction – Mobile phones or cell phones have made a revolutionary change in the fields of communication. In earlier times people used to write letters or send telegrams to communicate with their near and dear ones.

That took a lot of time. But with the inventions of mobile phones, it has become very easy to communicate with people who are in distant places.

Uses of Mobile phones – It is not possible to write all the uses of mobile phones in a limited words essay. Mainly mobile phones are used to make calls or send messages. But in modern days the uses of mobile phones are not only limited to making calls or sending messages.

Mobile phones or cell phones have many other functions that help us at our work. People can use GPS to track locations or browse the internet on their mobile phones. On the other hand, some mobile phones have a very good quality camera that can be used to preserve memories by clicking photos.

Now a day most people use mobile phones or cell phones for entertainment purposes. They not only use their mobile phones or cell phones to make calls or send SMS, but they also play online games, use the internet to browse different things or listen to songs, watch movies, etc. In fact, the whole world has become a small village due to the revolutionary invention of the mobile phone or the cell phone.

Abuses of mobile phone – Is there any abuses or disadvantages of mobile phone? Can there be any disadvantages to such a useful gadget? Yes, though mobile phones have a lot of advantages, it has some disadvantages also.

Mobile phones have some adverse effects on our society. Now a day mobile phone or its connection is easily accessible. As a result of that, some anti-social groups or criminals are using it to facilitate their anti-social tasks. It is very difficult to track the criminal activities that have been committed with the help of mobiles.

On the other hand, most school or college-going students or teenagers are seen as addicted to mobile phones. They spend too much time on mobile phones browsing different social networking sites or watching movies or playing games that spoil their study hours.

Again after the repeated research made by some doctors, the conclusion comes that excessive use of mobile phones or cell phones is harmful to our health. It may cause migraine, loss of hearing, or even brain tumors.

Conclusion – Every coin has two aspects. Thus mobile phones or cell phones also have two different sides. It depends on how we use it.

No doubt mobile phone has some negative aspects or we can simply say that there are a few disadvantages of mobile phones. But we can’t deny that the Mobile phone has made a remarkable change in the development of our civilization.

Most of the researchers are in the agreement that mobile phone is the cause of distress and wickedness for around 70% of teenagers. They must overcome this wrongdoing else it might lead them to some serious health or mental issues.

They end up losing control of their studies. The recent essay on GuideTOExam on not getting distracted from phones while studying is highly recommended if you, as a teenager feel it’s happening to you.

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Teachers Want Parents to Step Up to Curb Cellphone Misuse. Are They Ready?

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A common criticism from educators is that parents should do more to teach their children healthy technology habits.

“Why are schools being asked to do the job of the parents?” said one educator in a recent survey from the EdWeek Research center.

“We simply don’t have time for this,” said another. “Too many other demands placed upon educators which fall under the role of parents. There isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done.”

“Parents are supplying their children with these tools at very young ages and giving them little to no direction/supervision,” said a third.

The problem is many parents may feel out of their depth in tackling this challenge, and experts in digital education and wellness say that schools have an important role to play in teaching these skills.

In response, more than 200 local PTAs and schools have been offering workshops to parents this spring to give them guidance on how to responsibly shepherd their children through the digital world.

It’s part of a nationwide initiative by the National PTA to help support parents and schools, said Yvonne Johnson, the organization’s president.

“Parenting in the digital age is very challenging,” she said, especially as an increasing amount of kids’ schoolwork and social lives are on screens.

“We don’t want them to spend nine hours of their day on a device,” Johnson said. “But sometimes, especially as they get older, it can be impossible for a parent to say, ‘you can’t do your homework online’ when most of it is online. This is why family-school partnerships are so important. We have to have more conversations.”

The initiative—called Ready, Tech, Go! —offers guidance and resources on a range of issues, from teaching children how to stay safe online, to developing healthy tech habits, to determining when children are ready for their own devices.

If we can get more and more parents on board with waiting [to purchase cellphones for their kids], then there will be less of that social pressure.

Students’ cellphone use has become a major headache for educators. They distract students in class and connect kids 24/7 to social media—itself a source of social anxiety, bullying, and fights that can spill over into school hallways.

Students can get hundreds of notifications on their phones every day , even while at school, research has found. And those pings may be coming from parents as often as from peers .

In EdWeek Research Center surveys, educators frequently describe cellphones as addictive and worry about the long-term damage they are doing to children’s education and development.

Even so, many teens and experts in adolescent development say that social media can also be a source of good for students , as a place to find community, stay connected with friends and family, and develop hobbies and interests.

Taking pressure off parents to buy their kids cellphones

In Blue Haze elementary school in Fort Worth, Texas, which serves grades K-4, principal Emily Estes estimates that as much as 30 percent of her students have their own phones, although not all of them bring them to school. Even a few of her kindergarten students have their own devices.

Blue Haze elementary recently hosted one of the PTA digital workshops for parents, which Estes said drew a crowd that usually only student performances would, not parental educational programing. Around 100 families attended, she said, showing a clear hunger for more information on the issue.

“A lot of our kids don’t have devices yet, but parents are feeling the pressure because their kids want them,” Estes said. “If we can get more and more parents on board with waiting, then there will be less of that social pressure.”

Even though in her elementary school there aren’t enough cellphones to be a huge distraction or source of social strife, Estes does worry about how personal devices might affect her students’ development.

Parents also struggle with the decision to give their kids cellphones because the devices allow them to keep close tabs on their children throughout the day, said Estes. She is trying to give parents that same sense of security without cellphones by keeping open several other lines of communication.

Parents or guardians can message teachers throughout the day on the school’s messaging app. Este’s also gives out her own cellphone number to parents who are anxious about their child’s whereabouts. She did this recently on a field trip where students were asked not to bring their phones.

“I am outside every morning, every parent sees me when they drop off their kid. They see me at afternoon dismissal. I think being present is a huge part of trust and helps them feel more safe about where their kids are,” Estes said. “It starts with communication, we work really hard with communicating with parents about everything, because they trust that we will communicate with them good or bad, they [have] that trust in us.”

The debate over who is responsible for teaching proper tech use

In addition to the National PTA workshop, Estes’s school also teaches students digital citizenship, she said. Her district uses Common Sense Media’s K-12 curriculum, which teaches students about how to: protect their privacy online, be aware of their digital footprints, and achieve a balance of technology use.

But educators are divided on whether it is their job to teach these skills.

In a recent nationally representative survey of teachers, principals, and district leaders conducted by the EdWeek Research Center, one in three said they either completely or partly disagree with the statement that “educators should be responsible for helping students learn to use social media in ways that support their mental health and well-being.”

While Estes said she understands her fellow educators who feel that teaching kids how to manage their cellphone and social media use should be the job of families, she said schools must play a role.

“What about those kids whose parents won’t or can’t teach them these things? I agree it would be a lot more effective probably if it was the parent’s responsibility, but I think it’s too important to ignore and just say, ‘oh, that’s the parent’s job, we’re not going to help,’” she said. “You could say the same thing about feeding them lunch. It’s the parent’s job to make sure their kid has lunch every day. But, if we ignore the kids who can’t afford it, or forget their lunch and don’t feed them, then that’s a pretty big problem. I think the partnership with parents is key.”

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Uses and abuses of mobile phones essay with quotations

Uses and abuses of mobile phones essay, essay in points (outlines), uses of mobile phones.

• chatting and contact with others
• Surfing the internet
• business purposes
• source of entertainment

Misuses of Mobile Phones

• Waste of time
• Use in criminal activities
• Terrorists use mobile phones
• Source of depression and stress
• Watching adult content

Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phones

Technology is a gift of God. After the gift of life, it is perhaps the greatest of God's gifts. It is the mother of civilization, of arts and science. (Freeman Dyson)

"This is simply magical!

"Excess of everything is bad."

Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master. (Christian Lous Lange)

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The Hidden-Pregnancy Experiment

By Jia Tolentino

Shortly after I became pregnant with my second child, in the fall of 2022, I decided to try a modest experiment. I wanted to see whether I could hide my pregnancy from my phone. After spending my twenties eagerly surveilling and sharing the details of my life online, I had already begun trying to erect some walls of technological privacy: I’d deleted most apps on my phone and turned off camera, location, and microphone access for nearly all of the ones that I did have; I had disabled Siri—I just found it annoying—and I didn’t have any smart devices. For the experiment, I would abide by some additional restrictions. I wouldn’t Google anything about pregnancy nor shop for baby stuff either online or using a credit card, and neither would my husband, because our I.P. addresses—and thus the vast, matrixed fatbergs of personal data assembled by unseen corporations to pinpoint our consumer and political identities—were linked. I wouldn’t look at pregnancy accounts on Instagram or pregnancy forums on Reddit. I wouldn’t update my period tracker or use a pregnancy app.

Nearly every time we load new content on an app or a Web site, ad-exchange companies—Google being the largest among them—broadcast data about our interests, finances, and vulnerabilities to determine exactly what we’ll see; more than a billion of these transactions take place in the U.S. every hour. Each of us, the data-privacy expert Wolfie Christl told me, has “dozens or even hundreds” of digital identifiers attached to our person; there’s an estimated eighteen-billion-dollar industry for location data alone. In August, 2022, Mozilla reviewed twenty pregnancy and period-tracking apps and found that fifteen of them made a “buffet” of personal data available to third parties, including addresses, I.P. numbers, sexual histories, and medical details. In most cases, the apps used vague language about when and how this data could be shared with law enforcement. (A 2020 FOIA lawsuit filed by the A.C.L.U. revealed that the Department of Homeland Security had purchased access to location data for millions of people in order to track them without a warrant. ICE and C.B.P. subsequently said they would stop using such data.) The scholar Shoshana Zuboff has called this surveillance capitalism , “a new economic order that claims human experience as free raw material for hidden commercial practices of extraction, prediction, and sales.” Through our phones, we are under perpetual surveillance by companies that buy and sell data about what kind of person we are, whom we might vote for, what we might purchase, and what we might be nudged into doing.

A decade ago, the sociology professor Janet Vertesi conducted a more rigorous form of the hidden-pregnancy experiment. Using an elaborate system of code words and the anonymous browser Tor, she managed to digitally hide her pregnancy all the way up to the birth of her child. In an article about the experience, for Time , she pointed to a Financial Times report, which found that identifying a single pregnant woman is as valuable to data brokers as knowing the age, gender, and location of more than two hundred nonpregnant people, because of how much stuff new parents tend to buy. She also noted that simply attempting to evade market detection—by, for example, purchasing stacks of gift cards in order to buy a stroller—made her and her husband look as though they were trying to commit fraud.

I wasn’t going to do anything so strict or elaborate. I’d allow myself to text and send e-mails about my pregnancy, and to talk about it with my phone nearby. I assumed that, eventually, it would notice; I’d just wait and see when a diaper ad popped up on Instagram. I liked the idea of establishing a buffer zone between my psyche and the object that most closely monitors it. I found it almost shocking to remember that this was possible.

Pregnancy tends to erode both your freedom and your privacy. Past a certain point in your second trimester, strangers will begin reaching toward your stomach and telling you about the real difference between boys and girls. But I had eluded this during my first pregnancy, because COVID hit before I started showing. In the months that followed, I began to feel the difference between witnessing something and surveilling it, and to recognize that the most pleasurable moments in my life had occurred out of the reach of any oversight. I had felt then an almost psychedelic sense of autonomy; time was dilating, and the slow bloom inside me was beyond anyone’s reach. I wanted to see if I could feel anything like that again.

During pregnancy, and in the early days of parenthood, one is both the object and the conductor of intense surveillance. Last year, the artist and filmmaker Sophie Hamacher co-edited an anthology of writing on the subject, called “ Supervision ,” which was published by M.I.T. Press. “As I became absorbed with tracking and monitoring my child,” Hamacher writes in the preface, “I was increasingly aware that I was a subject of tracking and monitoring by others: advertisers, medical professionals, government entities, people on the street. I began to wonder about the relationship between the way I watched her and the ways we were being watched.” Surveillance encompasses both policing and caretaking, Hamacher notes. In practice, its polarized qualities—“beneficial and harmful, intimate and distanced”—intertwine. Baby monitors use technology developed for the military. Many contemporary models run on CCTV.

Most American households with young children use baby monitors or trackers; two recent surveys put market penetration at seventy-five and eighty-three per cent, respectively. (Both surveys were conducted by companies that make these devices.) And there are now countless other ways that technology will help you to observe and scrutinize your child: nanny-cam Teddy bears, G.P.S. stroller accessories, scales that track your baby’s weight over time, disks that can be affixed to diapers and which will notify you if your baby rolls onto his stomach while he’s asleep. Increasingly, such products use A.I. to detect signs of distress. “The need to know whether a child is safe and well is perfectly natural, which makes the nature of such surveillance appear innocent,” the writer and scholar Hannah Zeavin notes in “Family Scanning,” one of the essays in “Supervision.” But, she adds, “these technologies conceal the possibility of false positives, disrupted emergency services, and of collaboration with state forces—wittingly or unwittingly—all in the name of keeping children safe.” As a general rule, these devices don’t lead to better outcomes for the babies they monitor. More often—like social media, which promises connection as a salve for the loneliness created by social media—parenting tech exacerbates, even calls into existence, the parental anxieties that it pledges to soothe.

This has become a common pattern in contemporary life. Nearly a fifth of U.S. households are estimated to use doorbell cameras, many of them from Ring, the Amazon-owned company that has expanded its reach through police partnerships and a dedicated app that encourages users to post footage of strangers. Ring cameras haven’t made neighborhoods measurably safer, but they have made users measurably more paranoid, and placed more people, sometimes with grave outcomes, in contact with the police. Until recently, police could readily access surveillance footage from the Ring network without a warrant by posting requests on the app. It also gave its own employees and third-party contractors “ ‘ free range ’ access” to view and download videos from users’ homes.

In 2015, the company Owlet started selling a two-hundred-and-fifty-dollar Smart Sock, which monitored babies’ heart rates and oxygen levels, and alerted parents if these figures were abnormal. Although the company insists that it has made clear that the product is not intended to “treat or diagnose” sudden infant death syndrome—and there is no evidence that it reduces the risk of SIDS occurring—such devices are sometimes referred to as “ SIDS monitors.” But, in 2017, an opinion piece in the Journal of the American Medical Association cautioned physicians against recommending the product. “There are no medical indications for monitoring healthy infants at home,” the authors wrote. The device, they noted, could “stimulate unnecessary fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt in parents about their abilities to keep their infants safe.” The following year, a study in the same journal found “concerning” inaccuracies in oxygen readings. When Owlet went public, in February, 2021, the company had a valuation of more than a billion dollars; later that year, the F.D.A. issued a warning letter that the Smart Sock wasn’t an authorized medical device, and the company pulled it off the market. A million units had already been sold. The following year, Owlet launched a new version, called the Dream Sock, which would receive F.D.A. approval. Most of the reviews for the Dream Sock exude profound gratitude. Parents write about the peace of mind that comes from knowing the baby is being constantly monitored, about not knowing what they would do if the device didn’t exist.

Surveillance capitalism, Zuboff writes, “aims to impose a new collective order based on total certainty.” But little is certain when it comes to babies. The control that we feel when we’re engaged in surveillance almost always proves illusory, though the control, or at least the influence, that others exert on us through surveillance is real.

It is not a coincidence that Roe v. Wade, a ruling grounded in the right to privacy, was overturned at a time when privacy in the U.S was on its conceptual deathbed. There are other legal principles that might have served as a stronger foundation for abortion rights: the right to equal protection, or the right to bodily integrity. As Christyne Neff wrote, in 1991, the physical effects of an ordinary pregnancy and delivery resemble those of a severe beating—flesh lacerated, organs rearranged, half a quart of blood lost. Can the state, she asked, rightfully compel a person to undergo this?

Since Roe fell, two years ago, fourteen states have claimed that power in absolute terms, banning abortion almost completely. Two states have successfully passed abortion-vigilante laws, which confer the power of carceral supervision on the public. Indiana’s attorney general has argued that abortion records should be publicly available, like death records; Kansas recently passed a law that would require abortion providers to collect details about the personal lives of their patients and make that information available to the government. Birth control and sex itself may be up next for criminal surveillance: the Heritage Foundation , last year, insisted, on Twitter, that “conservatives have to lead the way in restoring sex to its true purpose, & ending recreational sex & senseless use of birth control pills.”

For many women in America, pregnancy was a conduit to state surveillance long before the end of Roe. Poor women, especially poor nonwhite women, are often drug-tested during pregnancy, and sometimes during labor and delivery, without their informed consent. Women who take drugs during pregnancy have been charged with child abuse or neglect, including in cases in which the drugs were legal; women who have miscarried after taking drugs have been charged with manslaughter, even homicide, even when no causal link was proved. Sometimes this happens because the woman in question had responded to billboards and service announcements promising to help pregnant people who are struggling with substance use. In multiple states, women have been taken into custody when the safety of the fetus was called into question. “To be pregnant and poor in the United States is to play a game of roulette with one’s privacy, presumed confidential relationship with medical providers, and basic constitutional and medical rights,” the law professor Michele Goodwin writes in “ Policing the Womb ,” from 2020.

Goodwin describes the case of a woman in Iowa named Christine Taylor, who, in 2010, as a twenty-two-year-old mother of two, was accused of attempted feticide after she fell down the stairs while pregnant. Part of the evidence cited by the police was that she reportedly told a nurse that she hadn’t wanted the baby. (Ultimately, prosecutors decided not to press charges.) The carceral surveillance of pregnancy entails the criminalization of ambivalence, the inspection of these innermost desires. But the deepest truths about motherhood seem to me to be rooted in conflicting, coexisting emotions: nightmare and rapture in the same moment during labor, the love and despair that box each other at night in the weeks that follow, the joy of cuddling my nine-month-old undergirded by the horror of knowing that other babies are starving and dying in rubble. Before I had my first child, I had badly wanted to get pregnant. I had planned for it, prepared for it, hoped for it. Still, when I saw the positive test result, I cried.

My modest experiment went surprisingly smoothly. Because I’d had my first child not long before, this time I didn’t need to buy anything, and I didn’t want to learn anything. I smooth-brained my way to three months, four months, five; no diaper ads. I called up a lawyer and data-privacy specialist named Dominique Shelton Leipzig to get her perspective. Globally, she told me, we generate 2.5 quintillion bytes—that’s eighteen zeroes—of data per day. “The short answer is, you probably haven’t hidden what you think you have,” she said. I told her about the rules I’d set for myself, that I didn’t have many apps and had bought nothing but prenatal vitamins, and that Instagram did not appear to have identified me as pregnant. She paused. “I’m amazed,” she told me. “If you didn’t see any ads, I think you might have succeeded.” I congratulated myself by instantly dropping the experiment and buying maternity pants; ads for baby carriers popped up on my Instagram within minutes.

I had felt little satisfaction hiding from the ad trackers—if anything, I’d only become more conscious of how much surveillance I was engaged in, as both subject and object, and how much more insidious the problem was becoming. We rarely have a clear understanding of what we’re doing when we engage in surveillance of ourselves or others. Life360, an app that’s used by more than sixty million people and is marketed as an easy way to track your child’s location via their smartphone, was found in 2021 to be selling raw location information to data brokers. (The company said it now sells only aggregate data.) In a Pew survey from 2023, seventy-seven per cent of Americans said they had very little to no trust in how social-media executives handle user data, and seventy-one per cent were concerned about how the government uses it. In another survey, ninety-three per cent of Americans said they wouldn’t buy a doorbell camera if it sold data about their family. People just want to be safer. I had wanted security, too, and affirmation—and I had wanted to be a writer. I had disclosed so much of my life to people I’ll never know.

My husband and I had not bought a baby monitor for our first child, a choice that satisfied his desire to not buy things and my desire to insist that certain aspects of experience are fundamentally ungovernable. But shortly after the second child was born she developed eczema, and started scratching her sweet, enormous cheeks in her sleep. One morning, my husband went to her and found that she’d clawed her face open, leaving blood smudged all over her sleep sack and smeared all over her face. “We need a video monitor!” I wailed, already Googling options. “We need to buy a video monitor today.”

We didn’t buy one, but for weeks I regretted it and second-guessed myself. And I surveilled the baby with technology in other ways all the time. In the early weeks, I relied on an app to tell me how much milk she’d drunk and how many soiled diapers she’d had that day—activities that I myself had witnessed just hours before. I felt like a Biblical angel with a thousand eyes, somehow unable to see anything. I took pictures because I knew I would have no memory of the precise contours of this exact baby in a month. When she didn’t seem hungry enough, I panicked, obsessing over every feed.

“What’s the line between pathological self-surveillance and care for a newborn? Is there one?” Sarah Blackwood, an English professor at Pace University, asks, in “Supervision.” Blackwood contrasts the “fantasy of efficiency and sterility” built into parenting tech with the “psychic state of watchfulness so many mothers find themselves in”—a state that is “metastatic, fecund, beyond.” One afternoon, my husband took the baby from me: she was sobbing, and I was incoherently frantic, trying to get her to eat. She was O.K., he told me; she’d eat when she needed to. But I know what’s good for her, and it’s my job to make her do it, I thought, furious. Around the fringes of my consciousness, I felt a flicker of understanding about how this idea that everything was controllable had become so ubiquitous, how we had confused coercion with care. ♦

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Schools watchdog begs doe to ban teacher-student texting in effort to stop sex abuse.

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Electronic sexual grooming by educators is an ongoing threat to students in NYC public schools — despite dozens of pleas from school investigators for DOE to stop student-teacher cell-phone contact, experts told The Post.

Since 2018, the Special Commissioner of Investigation for city schools has filed at least 41 formal recommendations urging the Department of Education to ban teachers and staffers from contacting students ‘ personal cell phone numbers and social media accounts — most recently in a case filed April 16 , records show.

But the DOE has refused to take heed, relying instead on toothless “social media guidelines” that “discourage,” but do not prohibit, such interactions.

“There is no reason that teachers should be contacting students privately on their private emails, on their private cell phones, especially on their social media,” said Dr. Elizabeth Jeglic of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, who researches institutional sexual abuse and grooming.

Texting is “part of the grooming process,”Jeglic said, a uniquely intimate form of contact that abusers use to “usurp parental guardianship.”

In the last five years, SCI has substantiated at least 89 cases of DOE employees using private text messages or personal social media accounts to have inappropriate, often sexually-charged conversations with students, The Post’s review of the records shows.

Top-ranked Townsend Harris HS in Queens was rocked by scandal in 2021 when student journalists revealed that teacher Joseph Canzoneri, then 53, had been found by SCI to have engaged in “numerous inappropriate acts” involving teenage female students, including intercourse and oral sex — all starting with flirtatious texts and Instagram posts.

“Canzoneri’s actions with these students indicates a pattern of ‘grooming’ . . . that threatens the wellbeing of these and other students,” Special Commissioner of Investigation Anastasia Coleman wrote in her report.

The same year, casual texts that Natalie Black, 26, a teacher at Hillside Arts and Letters Academy in Queens, exchanged with a 17-year-old male student quickly became sexual, as Black sent at least 15 raunchy photos and videos of herself “in lingerie or [in the] nude” to the boy, prompting her firing, The Post reported.

In 2022, paraprofessional Aaliyah Paul, then 19, displayed “predatory” behavior toward a 15-year-old male student at the Manhattan School for Career Development, SCI found, texting him 90 times in a 20-day period and calling him her “babyboy” after serving as a substitute in his school for less than a week. She was fired, according to DOE.

Sexual abuse of minors is “often a gradual process that involves desensitization,” said Erinn Robinson of RAINN, the national anti-sexual violence organization, who added that texting increasingly plays a central role.

“It may start with inappropriate conversation that leads to more sexualized conversation” once the perpetrator “has tested the waters,” she said.

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Father, girlfriend arrested for kidnapping, mistreatment, death of 12-year-old in Chester Co.

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A 12-year-old girl is dead after being tormented by her father and his girlfriend for months, according to officials in Chester County.

Authorities charged the pair for the girl's killing.

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Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe said that when officers and first responders found the girl on Saturday, she had numerous broken bones and was barely alive.

Investigators say they found deleted cell phone videos that showed the abuse and torture was "ongoing" and "systematic."

“Doctors found a child who was emaciated. She weighed 50 pounds. She was covered in bruises. She had a half dozen broken bones, at least. Her organs were failing and ultimately she died while she was being treated at the hospital," de Barrena-Sarobe said.

Right now, there aren't any answers as to why Malinda Hoagland was treated this way by her father, Rendell Hoagland, and his girlfriend, Cindy Warren.

But, Chester County's DA said there were enough answers to charge the two people for the girl's death.

The two subjected the girl to “evil and torment that no child should ever have to endure and they did it for months,” de Barrena-Sarobe said.

Hoagland and Warren are each facing attempted criminal homicide, assault, kidnapping and other related charges.

This all stemmed from a call to 911 on Saturday when Hoagland called police and told them his daughter was riding her bicycle and hit a tree which knocked her unconscious, the criminal complaint says.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting  www.thehotline.org  or texting LOVEIS to 22522.

West Caln police say Hoagland called saying that his daughter was unconscious and unresponsive. While she was taken to the trauma center at a nearby hospital, authorities opened an investigation.

“Police slowly learned that Malinda had been pulled out of middle school in late November and early December and shifted to an online cyber school," de Barrena-Sarobe explained. “She was virtually showing up on camera based on some of the videos that we reviewed, but she was shackled below from where the camera was."

The criminal complaint states that Malinda was often shackled in the basement of the home as well.

Investigators have been combing through the cell phones of the couple and say Warren deleted several texts with Hoagland. Meanwhile, on both phones, police found dozens of deleted videos from the couple's in-home camera system that had speakers attached.

“Those videos showed that Malinda was ankle-cuffed to furniture and verbally berated by the defendants through that in-camera speaker system. The video showed that they would punish her by demanding strenuous exercise such as squats and running in place while she was still shackled and they showed she would be punished for slights by being denied food," de Barrena-Sarobe said.

The couple was arrested on Monday night and jailed on $1 million cash bail. Online court records don't list an attorney who could comment for either person.

The District Attorney's Office will decide whether to charge them with murder after all of the evidence is reviewed as they wait for medical reports to come back.

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Malinga Hoagland was a student at the Coatesville Area School District from spring 2022 through December 2023.

"Our staff diligently reported concerns about her welfare to the state

agency that receives and manages concerns. Shortly thereafter, she was withdrawn from our schools," Superintendent Dr. Catherine Van Vooren said in a statement. "This news shakes our entire school community, and we are deeply saddened and upset by the horrific

details of the abuse this child suffered."

The District Attorney said that Warren's 9-year-old son was in the home, but it appears he was treated well and is unharmed.

Back in 2009, Warren was sentenced for a different child abuse case where authorities say she lied about her then-husband abusing her son and stepdaughter and refused to say he caused the girl's death.

"If you have concerns about the safety of a child, even of a child you hardly know, you should say something. Call 911. Call childline at 800-932-0313," de Barrena-Sarobe said.

If you have any information that could help investigators with Malinda Hoagland's case, please call Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.

Correction (May 8, 2024, 6:16 a.m.) : This story has been updated to clarify the criminal charges Hoagland and Warren faced upon their initial arrest. The most serious charge is attempted criminal homicide.