We are in a generation where the use of mobile phones is the order of the day whereby anyone who doesn't have one or who doesn't know how to operate one is seen as old-fashioned. Today, we see entrepreneurs, civil servants, teenagers, students, etc using mobile phones for communication, networking and many more. That's how incredibly useful mobile phones are. However, as beneficial as mobile phones are, comes the potential for abuse. In this article, we'll discuss some major pros and cons of mobile phones as this is a device we can't do without in the world of today.

Pros of mobile phones

1. For communication: Mobile phones have made communication easier. You can easily call or message a friend, relative or colleague, wherever you are in the world. No need to travel or rely on snail mails or landlines before you can communicate.

2. To acquire knowledge: Gone are the days when we could only get knowledge from elders, parents and books. With mobile phones, the sources of knowledge have diversified and one major source to acquire knowledge is the Internet.

3. For information: With your mobile phone, you can get to know the current news and information in the world. You can also visit various websites where you can get all the necessary information needed for your research.

4. For entertainment: As humans, there are days we get tensed and stressed by so many things but thankfully with the help of mobile phones, we can relax and engage in entertaining stuff online like video games, music, movies etc.

5. Take online courses: You can learn different new skills of your interest by taking online courses that are beneficial to you and even get certified for them.

6. To make money:  With your mobile phones, you can secure jobs and businesses online that will bring forth money for you. All you need to do is to learn how to use the mobile phone to your advantage.

Cons of mobile phones

1. Exposure to too much information: Today, we get exposed to too much information online than necessary even when we don't want to, that's how diversified the internet is and most times this can't be controlled.

2. Distractions: Mobile phones can cause a lot of distraction from the main world. We get distracted by videos and pictures posted online that we even consume a lot of time surfing the internet which can also lead to procrastination of the valuable things needed to be done.

3. Addiction: It is very easy to get addicted to our mobile phones these days. Addiction in this case refers to the obsessive use of mobile phones. It's a behavioural addiction known as "nomophobia", (the fear of not having a functioning mobile phone). That moment you notice you can't do without your mobile phone for a split second, know that that's an open letter to phone addiction.

4. Insecurity: With our mobile phones, we tend to share our information online, (i.e what we do, where we stay, what we look like, etc). In as much as this is necessary to make ourselves known, it can also make us open to online attacks. Circumstances where our information can be used by online scammers or con men especially when we don't use the privacy setting of our social media platforms well and correctly. To avoid this, we have to stay updated with the new features on every app we use online.

5. Dangerous when using during driving: Calling or texting while driving can cause accidents. To avoid this, it's necessary to put your phone off or silence it while driving.

6. Isolation: Some people are so addicted to their phones that they forget how to make real-life connections. They find it difficult to mingle with people in the real world. Rather, they prefer to stay glued to their phones than relate with people.

Final words

As you can see that as much as we have the cons of mobile phones, the pros cannot be overlooked, mobile phones are really useful, essential and important. Be an informed user and use it wisely and positively.

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