Life without Smartphones: Is that that bad?
Today, I came across an article in
‘The Hindu’ which is basically an opinion of 4 of the undergraduate students in
Tamilnadu, India1. The issue was whether suppressing the usage of
smartphones is fine or not? Interestingly, all the 4 students were against such
suppression though one indicated he is going to restrict his ‘addiction’ to
smartphone usage.
What’s wrong?
- · The article talks about a survey. What is the survey and how can we access it? No reference is provided for the survey, which is not an ethical practice? Without data for independent verification, how can we trust this article
- · Only four sample responses are provided. And all seems to be in favor of smartphone usage. None of them are rational, only ‘likes’. What are opponents’ responses? Why they are not provided?
- · How are these four samples selected? What are the criteria? Is this ‘Cherry-picking’?
- · Why only Tamil Nadu? What about other states?
If all the above questions are
answered, we could take this article seriously. However, in their absence, this
article seems more of a PR exercise to
manipulate Youths’ sentiments against institutions restricting the usage of
smartphones2, 3. I’m really surprised that Mr. Modi’s Govt.
which has issues with environmental NGO protesting their potentially
destructive plans is least concerned about the manipulation of youths’
mentality by news media. Apparently, Mr. Modi would only take cognizant of his
opponents and not his corporate-supporters!
Having said this, the following is my take on
Smartphones
Pros of Smartphones
|
Cons of Smartphones
|
Easy
collection of information, on job search, finding products, comparing prices,
etc.
|
Easy
information on Porns! Sex scandals, movies, etc. (Most searched information
on the internet is the ‘PORN’4)
|
Organize
work, meetings, navigation and to do lists
|
Risk
of equipment failure, misinterpretation of information, disturbance to work
(constant connectivity), getting lost
|
Could
provide an opportunity to learn App development to make some bucks or boast
your skills to potential employers
|
Input
cost for the equipment and the services is better invested in a stock market.
(Cost of 1 iPhone is ~Rs. 50K, cost of Infosys’ share is ~Rs.2000)
|
Connected…
always
|
Connected…
so could be tracked!
Imagine
if a stalker is tracking you
|
Loads
of apps – to improve productivity
|
Loads
of apps – many of which could be Trojans or spywares, trying to manipulate
people opinion2,3 or disrupt development
|
Possibility
of identity theft or loss of personal information
|
In short, it not the smartphones
that is a problem but how it is used. If institutions enforce restrictions so
that students’ education doesn't suffer, they are better judge of it, unless
and until one can come up with rational argument against it.
What
do you have to say?!
References
I would like to say that smartphones also spoil the grades of students:
ReplyDeletehttps://ca.shine.yahoo.com/how-smartphones-affect-kids-at-school-131046279.html