Year by year, we see
a constant rise in the use of smart phones, laptops, tablets, and other forms
of electronics that allow for different ways of online communication and interaction. According
to the Pew Research Center, approximately 77% of Americans own a smartphone and half of the American population “owns a tablet computer”.
Not only does
research show the increase in smart phone ownership, but we, as people, can
easily see it around us, as well. Whenever I look around, either in route to
one of my classes on campus, to a dining hall, or even downtown State College, people look
like walking zombies with their faces glued to their phone screens.
The constant debate
as to whether or not smart phones or other electronic devices are beneficial or
rather harmful to people is here to stay. Are smart phones posing as a true
hazard for individuals? Or, do they perform an adequate job in building bonds
and other methods of communication with different people? As of now, it seems
as though the ownership of smart phones, computers, and tablets prevail. I mean,
after all, electronics are the future of our society. Actually, they can already be considered the primary essence of our society. However, the Learning Network, brings up an interesting point in regards to the dominance in cell
phone usage and walking.
People are constantly
on their phones as they are walking – most likely because they are bored or
have nothing better to do. So, as they walk they decide to catch up on their
social media and other platforms of communication. Jackson Spiers, a reader of
the Learning Network, claims that it should be illegal for individuals to be glued to their phones as they are walking from destination to destination. People should in no way be resembling zombies with smart phones on the streets.
Spiers further states that “pedestrian deaths went up 9% in 2016”, making this percent increase result in the most amount of pedestrian deaths since the year of 1990. Now whether or not this
percent increase of pedestrian deaths is due to the rise in the use of cell phones is
questionable. Nevertheless, it does make logical sense for one to correlate the two
to one another.
As for personal
experiences, I admit that I am also a victim of resembeling a smart phone zombie.
Whenever I am walking around campus, I whip out my phone out of boredom or out of
habit. I do not even realize how dangerous this may actually be, and I will
most likely never realize until one day, I face a life vs. death situation (but at that time, it will probably be too late for me to make any changes to my behavior). Now, don't get me wrong. There were definitely times when I was crossing the road where I almost got ran
over without realizing. But, I was always able to stop myself from
continuing to walk across the street, or the car was able to stop in time for my own safety (Thank the Lord). So,
yes. I can completely see how texting while walking is considered to be extremely dangerous.
However, the
controversy still lies between the rise in smart phone usage and the safety of
pedestrians. Tyler Rouse, who is from Wilmington, N.C., also presents his
stance on the issue in a conflicted manner. He agrees that banning texting while walking could most definitely save a life, but also knows how important and valuable smart phones are to people, especially teens and young adults.
A happy medium is
always appreciated – that sweet spot, the middle, the “just-right”. But
Honolulu, Hawaii has taken these measures to the next level, to the extreme. Honolulu has placed a straight-up ban on walking and texting or walking and looking at a screen in general. This city
of Hawaii did so in order to prevent any pedestrian deaths, especially when having to cross streets or intersections. It does not even matter
how old you are. Anyone who is staring at a screen while walking can be fined between $15 to $99.
People are wondering
whether or not Honolulu has taken things to the extreme. But it looks like
other cities are starting to catch on, as well. According to Tahman Bradley of WGN9, the windy city of Chicago is also considering fining individuals who are
walking and texting at busy intersections.
Many individuals are
agreeing and saying how they think texting and walking is as dangerous as texting and driving. And honestly, they are right. But, will other states
realize this too, and try to hop on the band wagon to implement laws that would
prevent further pedestrian deaths? Or, will this form of action be undermined by
the overuse of smart phones and our extreme dependence on these pieces of
plastic?
I am curious how well officials in places with the ban on walking and looking at your screen are enforcing the ban. I look at my phone most of the time when walking down the street. While sometimes it is for no other reason than that I am bored, there are times when I am meeting up with someone and coordinating where we need to meet. Or, even more commonly, I am looking at Google Maps navigating my way where I need to go.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I love how relevant this topic is. I'm one of those people that avoids being on my phone while I'm walking so I'm on sides with Hawaii. Many times when I'm walking down the sidewalk, I keep walking just to see if people who are on their phones will run into me. I think phones keep us from enjoying the little things in life, and when we look back on it in the future, we'll regret missing out on small talk with strangers and potential new friendships. I'm with Hawaii but I don't think $99 is enough.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I completely agree that people are easily distracted on their phones. Walking around campus you can see just about everybody with their faces glued to their screens. However, I would have to disagree with the banning of it. I like to think of all the lives that they do save over the ones they don't.
ReplyDeleteJerry, I like that take on the issue. I didn’t really think about phone usage in these terms in relationship to the lives saved and the lives lost. I also believe that while it may be a good idea to ban texting and walking, it definitely can be an infringement on personal rights. I know often times I’ll be walking, listening to music and take out my phone to change the song, to answer a phone call, check my map, or make plans to meet up with a friend in a quick manner on my way home from class. It’s easy to have reasons to be on the phone while walking the streets, and we shouldn’t forget the practicality and reality of that.
DeleteI agree with Kevin on this; while a ban on texting and walking might save lives, texting while walking seems like such a ubiquitous, common thing that the ban would almost certainly be broken constantly.
ReplyDeleteIt all seems well and good on paper, but how well is a text-walking ban actually enforced? Is it realistic to catch every single person walking around looking at a phone? What if they're just trying to get directions with Google Maps? What if they're reading something? If law enforcement can't look at your phone to prove you were texting (therefor breaching personal privacy, and that's a whole monster of its own), then how in the world do these fines get given out? I think this issue should definitely be explored logistically and wether the effects of walking and texting demand a fine or not.
ReplyDeleteAm I a zombie? Yes, probably. I rely on my cell phone for countless tasks and while I am grateful for this technology, as it allows us to communicate more and to be prepared in case of an emergency, I also agree that our society needs to recognize when it is and isn't appropriate to use them. Walking requires awareness so as to stay safe and be conscientious to those around you (i.e. don't run into them!) and for that reason, we need to put the phones away. I'm not sure that a ban is the best way to accomplish this however.
ReplyDeleteI do completely agree that our generation of people are glued to their smartphones and have become zombies while walking in the street. I admit I have done the occasional "look at text and pump into someone cause I wasn't paying attention" thing. I do think its smart to create a law to fine whoever is on their phones while absent-mindedly walking the street. Hopefully it will cause people to be more careful of others.
ReplyDeleteThis article is so relevant and entirely true: we have become zombies!! I have to say, I applaud Honolulu, Hawaii for taking matters into their own hands for the overall well being of their people. When I am walking on campus, I can honestly say that I am surprised there haven't been more accidents between cars and texting students. Sometimes, I feel like I am the only one in a sea of people actually enjoying the world around me, instead of being immersed in the world of technology. Granted, I also have my texting moments; however, I wander if other people, so deep in technology, even realize that there is a great big world waiting for them, if only they would look up from their screens.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of placing a ban on people texting while walking is an interesting one. While I personally do my best not to text while walking for reasons of safety, it is certainly an interesting idea. I doubt that it will truly do much to prevent the dangers caused by texting while walking, but I do think that it is certainly a well-motivated idea.
ReplyDelete