Smartphones have exploded in popularity in recent years. People of all ages are increasingly electronically connected to the world with the small complex devices they carry 24/7. The technological capabilities of Smartphone’s and related technologies are endless, but what effect are they having on people lives. Considering the widespread use, availability and perceived disadvantages associated with not using such devices, there is a real lack of regulation surrounding new technologies. The harmful implications are sometimes considered as we saw with the reduction of radiation in recent years. The social impacts of these technologies have failed to be taken into consideration. Similarly to the computer, it was initially believed that these technologies would in fact increase productivity and allow for shorter work weeks. Especially with the case of the smart phone, the technology has encouraged and at times forced people to essentially be at work around the clock. While it may not be necessary for individuals to answer emails on weekends and evenings, it is encouraged and can disadvantage people who do not do so. On a personal note for one summer job I was given a blackberry. Although I was never told to keep it on during the evening, if a boss wrote me an email and I did not respond it hurt my reputation as an employee.
One way in which smartphones raise concern for me in the political world is how they affect political understanding. The example I will provide relates to understanding of news and a healthy public sphere in general. As smartphones have consolidated many different mediums into one, they have failed to retain many positive characteristics of old mediums. A great example is how people now view the news. On smartphones it is often just the headlines from specific publishers that reach Blackberry screens. While the user is able to select which site or source they get the headlines, how much choice do they really have? They are often viewing the same bias and getting such a shallow understanding of what is happening that they are unlikely to challenge it or question its validity. This presents a real problem not only for politics, but in every traditional sense of what constitutes a healthy public sphere.
