Published: April 21, 2009 12:56 am      

Cell phone nation

What’s the 411 when it comes to mobiles?

Are cell phones taking over the nation?

Is it just me or does it appear that everywhere you turn someone is using a cell phone? They are everywhere – offices, stores, movies, schools and even at home. Parents, teachers, teenagers and even younger children are using them in their everyday lives. People use cell phones for a variety of reasons, have diverse service providers and have different thoughts about them, but no matter what, they appear to be taking over the country.

If you do not have one, it would be a well-worth investment, because technology keeps upgrading, and you may just be left behind if you hesitate too long to purchase a mobile phone.

In the past, methods of talking to those who lived miles from you included things like letters and, of course, the standard landline, which charges heavy fees for long-distance calling. The next advancement was e-mail and before we knew it, the invention of cell phones came along. Texting shaped a new way for communication with those who live far away and made it much cheaper to converse.

The latest cellular phones are more than just telephones. Some include things like mp3 players, the Internet, cameras, touch screens and many apps. When you are choosing a phone, the number of choices may seem overwhelming, but there is a phone out there for each unique individual.

Many students at North Marion High School use cell phones on a daily basis. Although some teenagers still do not have cell phones, most own one, whether it is a prepaid pay-as-you-go phone or one with a monthly bill. As you walk down the hallways, you see students texting, trying not to stumble, as well as those talking, trying to hide the phone from the teachers. Texting is one of the major components of a cell phone that is sweeping the nation off its feet. It is the latest obsession, and once you get started, it is very addicting.

Crystal Boley, a senior at North Marion High, said, “Texting is my favorite part of my cell phone and I probably use it the most.”

Although there are still a few stubborn people who are not interested in this type of communication, many people cannot keep their fingers off the keys. Some of the latest phones have made texting easier with the installment of a slide-out keyboard, similar to the type of keyboard you would find with a computer. Texting is an easy way to talk to someone if you do not want to talk on the phone. It allows you time to plan out what you’re going to say and helps some of those who speak before thinking to realize what they going saying, before it comes out of their mouth. It is also an easy way to get in touch with someone in the spur of the moment no matter where you are located, and more private than talking. In certain environments, it may also be an alternative to talking with reduced loudness.

Talking on cell phones also produces fewer obstacles in your life. You can easily talk to important individuals whether you are out, or in your home. Using cell phones for talking can come in handy for many reasons. It is nice to have them to talk on for things like emergencies, meeting people places and last-minute plans.

When asked whether she talked on cell phones for everyday use or emergencies only, North Marion High School senior Sarah Goodrich, replied, “I would say both because I use the phone to talk to my friends when the house phone is in use, and I always have to call my parents and tell them where I am.”

The extra features on mobile phones are not obligatory but are nice to have on hand. For example, the cameras that are an addition to some cell phones are nice if you do not have a camera with you. You can assign caller IDs on most phones so their picture will appear when you are receiving a call or text from a certain person with the camera accessory. Accessories such as games and internet are fun for when you are bored, although the Internet can be helpful if you have a question you need to know the answer to on the spur of a moment.

When Lance Hutson, senior at North Marion High, was asked what his favorite parts of the features on his cell phone were, he replied, “I like my Internet, the music options and the camera, but the camera is the best.”

Specialized ringtones can also be beneficial. On most cell phones, you can program your phone to play certain ringtones for distinct contacts. By using this method, it is nice to be able to know if the caller is important, or if you can just return the call shortly. Some people distance themselves from the cell phone industry. Some people just cannot afford the cost, while others just choose not to use this type of technology.

Whether you own a cell phone or you are one of these people, it is not going to stop cell phones from becoming more and more important in our lives everyday. They are everywhere you go, and the usage of cell phone is sure to increase in the future.