A World Of PainAre you dead Siri-ous about your health?

Sandy Le & Tyson-Phit Singvongsa

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A World Of PainSandy Le & Tyson-Phit Singvongsa

From radiation, to neck pain, to germs and bacteria, to poor sleep quality, I ask you all what is in this for us? The explosion of smartphone technology over the last 10 years has moved ahead relatively unchecked… it’s time to take stock! (it’s time to stop and think of the consequences). This technology has ramifications for global health. As the planet dials up and Apple reaps record profits from iPhone sales, it must be acknowledged that these profits come at a cost. The number of health risks associated with the iPhone has significantly increased over the past years as more and more symptoms have been linked towards the iPhone. As Apple continues to market their iPhones, the risks are hidden well within their user manual that hardly anyone ever reads. Why does Apple hide the health warnings in their fine print? Simply because consumers wouldn’t purchase their products. Imagine buying a phone with a huge warning saying that it can

expose you to radiation, you wouldn’t buy that would you? Of course, no one would want to purchase anything that has a radiation warning, but these small things go unseen to the public’s eye. The things written in the fine print need to be showcased to the public as the health risks associated with the iPhone can affect people physically and mentally.Physically the iPhone can affect you in tremendous ways such as neck pain, loss of hearing, poor sleep quality and exposure to germs and bacteria. These physical health risks do not look as serious from afar but over time, the impact that they will cause in the future cannot be overlooked, but this is the price that we must pay for the advancement of technology. The solution to neck pain and loss of hearing can be avoided but still leave the problem of how certain parts of the iPhone can affect our body such as a study that the LED from the iPhone disrupts melatonin production making it harder to sleep.

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The mental impact that the iPhone has on a teenager has significantly increased over the past years. Suicide rates have risen every single year, most cases of suicide have been linked towards the iPhone as young teenagers are more exposed to alienation and loneliness. The iPhone perhaps might not be the problem but the applications that Apple allow the iPhone to have on them such as Facebook or any social media sites can lead to mass bullying and harassment by individuals online causing others to feel insecure. Although the iPhone contributes to mental instability, it serves as a powerful tool of quick, instant source of communication that allows others to access information quick and on the go. The iPhone’s health risks, both physically and mentally, shouldn’t be hidden within the fine print of its user manual because no one would go through the fine print just to find out what health risks you are exposed to when using an iPhone or Apple product.

There are ways to prevent these health risks like staying away and reducing your time spent on your smartphone for an extended period or using apps that monitor your smartphone usage. These methods can be used to limit the health risks you’re exposed to from your iPhone and by reducing the amount of time on your smartphone, this can positively be beneficial to your psychological well-being and eventually improve your mental health

References: ABC 7 Chicago. (2017, October 12). Smartphones and your health: Experts warn of potential dangers. Retrieved from ABC7 Chicago Eyewitness News: http://abc7chicago.com/health/how-smartphones-could-be-hurting-your-health/2416064/Banducci, S. (2017, October 12). Study links mobile device addiction to depression and anxiety. Retrieved from Illionis News Bureau: https://news.illinois.edu/blog/view/6367/334240Duncan, J. (2017, October 12). Smartphones, cyberbullying seen as possible causes of rising teen suicide rate. Retrieved from CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/smartphones-cyberbullying-targeted-

as-causes-of-skyrocketing-teen-suicide-rate/Gregoire, C. (2017, October 12). How Your iPhone Is Harming Your Health. Retrieved from HUFFPOST: http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/cell-phone-health-iphone_n_3943322Gregoire, C. (2017, October 12). Your iPhone is Making You Depressed. Retrieved from HUFFPOST: http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/phone-addiction-depression_n_6712882Heisler, Y. (2017, October 12). Why the smartphone era is causing a mental health crisis in teens. Retrieved from BGR: http://bgr.com/2017/08/06/smartphone-generation-depression-addiction-iphone-android/

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HEARING RADIATION

NECK PAIN

BACTERIAPOOR SLEEP

PHANTOM VIBRATION SYNDROME

Cranking the volume all the way up on your earphones can cause damaging to the inner ear hair cells, which are responsible for turning sound into signals that go to the brain. Damaging these cells can lead to hearing loss.

The iPhone is a good source of germs that you can find in

a bathroom. The Wall Street Journal reported in a study

which tested eight phones from an office that high levels of coliform bacteria (a sign of faecal contamination) were

found on each phone.

Wifi, Bluetooth, 3G and LTE connections appear to simultaneously generate a

certain amount of microwave radiation. The World Health

Organization does consider cell phone radiation to be ‘possibly

carcinogenic to humans’.

CNN Health reported aches in shoulders, neck and head due to your head weighing average 4.5kg, so when you tilt forward it exerts extra pressure onto the spine.

Leaving your iphone in your bed can be bad for sleeping

as the LED light could disrupt melatonin production making it

harder to fall asleep.

Phantom vibration syndrome is basically the perception that one’s phone is vibrating when really, it’s not. This is a typical sign of extreme mobile use. It is said that 9 out of 10 undergraduates have experienced this syndrome in the journal “Computers in Human Behaviour”.

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MAJOR HEALTH RISKS:TOP 6

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More teens are likely to be cyberbullied as social media is easily accessible through smartphones.

Teens who spend 3hrs a day or more on electronic devices are more likely to have risk factor for suicide.

Withdrawing yourself from your iphone for completely 24hrs can result in mental symptoms such as feelings of anxiety and isolation.

The high frequency of iPhones use can have negative effects on our stress levels due to the constant ringing, vibrating alerts, and reminders can put the user on edge.

As kids spend more and more time digitally connecting with friends, actual human interaction becomes significantly rarer.

Studies show that teens who spend more time on their phones tend to be, unhappier than their peers who aren't as tied to their smartphones.

Researchers found high cell phone use was associated with stress and sleep disturbances for women, whereas sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression were associated with men.

Significant effects on mental health and sleep time appear after 2 or more hours a day on electronic device.

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