What are the Disadvantages of Mobile Phones?

Although they appear to be absolutely indispensable communication tools these days, you may be wonder what are the disadvantages of mobile phones? Believe it or not, mobile phones have their negatives as well.

While it may not be completely fair to clump the entire cell phone industry into one tight package (smartphones are distinctly different from music phones, for instance), there are certain commonalities among most cell phones. That's why when you ask what are the disadvantages of mobile phones, you will come across a similar set of possible responses.

Never-Ending Interruptions

Many of us may have had the experience of being in an important business meeting, only to have someone's BlackBerry phone start ringing with an incoming call or email. It can be terribly annoying and frustrating when such a thing happens. The same can be said about ringing cell phones at movie theaters, family gatherings, and yes, even weddings, like in the picture shown above.

Because mobile phones provide a constant avenue for communication, they can interrupt at the most inconvenient of times, under the most inconvenient of circumstances. This is certainly a major problem with the ubiquity of cell phones.

Distracted Drivers

Again, because of this constant form of communication, people also feel compelled to keep communicating while behind the steering wheel. There are certainly many issues surround driving safety and cell phones and that's partly why the California cell phone law was introduced. What are the disadvantages of mobile phones? Just ask the victims of motor vehicle accidents involving cell phone usage.

Negative Impact on Personal Contact

The stereotype depicts a teenager at the dinner table, completely disinterested in family time, instead being completely occupied with text messaging and mobile instant messenger. This also happens to be a problem at school. Cell phones may dehumanize the dynamics of human contact. Some people may not know how to interact in real life anymore, preferring the safety and comfort of a well-timed SMS.

Drawing back to the point of never-ending interruptions, cell phones can also detract from personal contact at business meetings, casual outings, and other get-togethers. People get too occupied with their BlackBerries and other devices, not interacting with the real-life people in front of them.

Health Effects

Although the dangers of cell phone towers have not been officially confirmed or refuted, there is certainly some evidence that points toward tumors caused by cell phones. When you consider what are the disadvantages of mobile phones, perhaps the greatest negative impact could be the effects that mobile phones may have on a person's health. Among the negative health effects associated with proximity to cell phone towers are DNA damage, sleeplessness, eye cancer, infertility, cardiac problems, and chronic fatigue.