In just over a decade, the share of Americans who own a smartphone has gone from 35 percent in 2011 to 85 percent in 2021, according to the Pew Research Center.
The first ever smartphone was released for public purchase in 1994, and there are now over 276 million smartphone users in the United States alone.
Americans today are more connected than ever before to the world of digital information while “on the go” via smartphones and other mobile devices.
And while the technology is likely to get even more sophisticated, there are underlying problems potentially causing harm to users.
Adverse Effects of Excessive Mobile Phone Use
Mobile phone use is a necessity in this ever-connected digital age, but overuse can have adverse effects that impact your health. For one, over 50 percent of Americans admit to being addicted to their phones. The average American checks their phone 96 times a day. Spending that many hours staring at a mobile screen can have a detrimental effect on your mind and body, which could include:
- Poor sleep
- Tendonitis
- Distracted traveling
- Decreased satisfaction in relationships
- Concentration and learning issues
- Less physical activity
- Eyesight problems
- Lack of personal connection
- Increased peer pressure
The Hazards of Cell Phone Radiation
Do cell phones give off radiation? The answer is an unequivocal yes. However, just how much radiation and the frequency that humans absorb it is still being studied. The hazards of constant exposure to cell phone radiation have been shrugged off and dismissed over the last few decades as Americans increasingly rely on smartphones. But the truth is, we really don’t know the effects of cell phone radiation. The Centers for Disease Control outlined the biological effects of radiation and how it can affect the cells of our bodies.
We’d all like to dismiss cell phone radiation concerns as unfounded or even a conspiracy theory. Still, a new investigation from ProPublica shows that the scientific research surrounding cell phone radiation is inconclusive.
Not only that, but the exposure could have serious health ramifications and the U.S. government is failing to address safety concerns related to this radiation. The Federal Communications Commission has not updated its cellphone radiation standards for 27 years, over 10 years before the first iPhone was released.
How to Put Your Smartphone Down – for Good
Scientists and doctors worldwide have repeatedly argued that the current effects of cell phone radiation could be dangerous, and protective measures need to be implemented. Yet, government watchdogs often side with telecom companies instead of smartphone users. So, how can we take back our power and limit smartphone use? Here are some tips:
- Turn off unnecessary push notifications
- Take distracting apps off your home screen
- Know your screen time and adjust accordingly
- Use autoresponders for text messages
- Set alarms for when you check your phone
- Utilize an app blocker
- Keep your phone out of sight
Have You Suffered From Cell Phone Usage? Contact Us Today.
While the jury is still out on whether there’s inconclusive evidence of harm with cell phone radiation, the FCC declined to reassess exposure limits in 2019. And in 2021, a federal appeals court accused the FCC of “brushing off” evidence of potential harm and failing to explain its reasoning. Even other countries have lower radiofrequency radiation limits than the United States, or policies to limit exposure in “sensitive areas” like schools or homes.
If you believe you or someone you love has suffered from injuries due to cell phone usage and you wish to discuss the specifics of your case in a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer, please contact us today.