Effects of Mobile Communication
Effects on Social Coordination
-Logistics - last-minute changes in plan easily communicated -Scheduling - scheduled time is more flexible -Ongoing refinement - instant communication allows coordination of plans moment-to-moment as needed -Mobile communications allow more planning for spontaneous face-to-face encounters -Mobile workers - lower boundaries between work and home may cause stress
Effects on relational communication
-Perpetual contact - heightened sense of connection strengthens social bonds -Text messages symbolic of friendship/intimacy -Heavy cell phone use can have cocooning effect -Individuals insulated from others within close-knit social group
Birth of "The Brick"
1973 - first public cell phone call Martin Cooper - general manager of communication systems division, Motorola Inspired by Star Trek communicators
Heavy Use
Among teens, heavy cell-phone users more likely to be also involved in stealing, fighting, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual behavior Heavy use linked to higher class failure rates, lower test scores, lower GPAs overall
Mobile Communication
Cell phones fastest growing communication medium of all time Smart phones combine many different forms of electronic media into a single small device Cultural norm to interact with those with shared interests, not with those in physical proximity
Private Use in Public Space
Listening to "halfalogue" more distracting that hearing both sides of a conversation Absent presence - cell phone users physically present, but minds are engaged elsewhere
Effects of Texting
Text messaging average rate per month: Teen boys - over 2,500 Teen girls - over 4,000 Shorthand symbol use develops significance within social network Texting functional and convenient, easier and faster
Private use in public space 2
Users of mobile technology for information more likely to engage in conversation with strangers Users of mobile technology for relational purposes less likely to talk to strangers Mobile gaming greatly increases cell phone use - revenue projected to reach $11.4 billion by 2014 Apps allow access to social media accounts
