Necessity of Smartphones in todays world

 

Cell phones play an important role in maintaining less intensive social relations during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

According to global data provider Statistic, there are an estimated 3.8 billion smartphone users in the world as of 2021. The number of smartphone users, expected to rise in coming years.

Previously only being able to make calls and send text messages, cell phones gained new diverse features as technology has progressed. Today, they provide access to a wide range of services from digital banking to video calls, education services to online shopping.

The Evolution of Smartphones During a Global Pandemic

To combat the spread of COVID-19, companies worldwide shifted, or are shifting, to 100 percent telework, a challenging effort for organizations without the infrastructure to support extended remote work. However, as employees navigate this “new normal”, smartphones have quickly filled the void of social interaction.

In a Washington Post article, reporter Travis Andrew noticed increased smartphone usage as weekly screen time reports took over internet feeds. One doctor based in Houston, Texas tweeted his screen time report showing a 185 percent increase in screen time from the week before.

 

Popular video conferencing smartphone applications such as Zoom, Google Classroom, and Microsoft Teams are increased in popularity as a method to continue working and stay connected with family and friends during social distancing. The flexibility granted by smartphone apps make these resources particularly effective for managing work and home responsibilities.

Smartphones and Safety

Smartphones don’t just help us stay connected; they can also help keep us safe. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized social distancing as the best protection from infection⁵. Mobile payments and online shopping increased in tandem with social distancing measures. According to Forbes, overall usage of contactless payments has increased 150 percent in the United States since March 2019. Furthermore, the payment procedure, markets, saw a “ten-fold increase” in contactless payments through apps like Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay.  Market also reported increased use of mobile food ordering services, with usage increasing 30 percent in the first week of shutdowns and 82 percent the following week.

To further reduce public risk, mobile device manufacturers also rolled out functions for public health agencies to implement COVID-19 contact tracing apps. These apps are “designed to notify individuals of potential exposure to others with confirmed cases of COVID-19”⁷.

With the increased reliance on smartphones, we must ensure the safety of our cyber space.

During a global pandemic with increased telework and decreased social interaction, smartphone usage has adapted. They create a sense of normalcy and security, while helping us stay connected. However, smartphones owners must stay vigilant about their personal safety and the health of others by acting with an abundance of caution in their physical, and cyber, lifestyle.