TEENAGERS & CELLPHONES

TEENAGERS & CELLPHONES

The entry of cell phones into our society has changed it from what it was before. With companies like Reliance India making the cell phone affordable to the common man, with attractive tariffs and easy payment plans, the customer base of cell phone subscribers is increasing day by day. An estimated 1.5 crore cell phone users are there in India with the first half of 2003, showing an increase of 46.7 lakh.
Ten years ago, the now familiar Nokia ring tone was a rarity, a curiosity; today, however, it’s considered more of an irritating disturbance and nuisance than anything else. And definitely, the rising customer base of cell phone users is teenagers. Call it peer pressure or just to stay connected, it is rare to see a teenager without a cell phone, literally stuck to his ears or fingers.
Not all cell phone users, and especially the younger lot, are considerate, and neither do they follow etiquette and understand the social implications of a cell phone. These are major considerations as the cell phone has made its impact on behaviour, society and on almost every aspect of our lives, whether personal or professional. There is no doubt that cell phones have had an impact on society, both good and bad. The usefulness in carrying a cellular phone is manifold, which can include the mundane, like a forgotten shopping item to a heart attack, (t is more important for teenagers, to stay in touch with friends, and “connected.”