OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI
FAKULTI PENDIDIKAN DAN BAHASA
MEI 2013
OUMH2203
ENGLISH FOR WORKPLACE WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION
NO. MATRIKULASI
:
740819015758001
NO. KAD PENGNEALAN
:
740819-01-5758
NO. TELEFON
:
0137220395
E-MEL
:
[email protected]
PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN
:
PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN BATU PAHAT
1
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI Report on the Social and Medical Problems Related to the Use of Mobile Phones
Prepared for Mr. Harith bin Hamzah, Director Institute of Occupational Safety Health 35-37,Jalan Kolam, 89300 Kuala Lumpur.
By Pn.Norlaila Bt Ahmad, Manager Institute of Occupaational Safety and Health 35-37,Jalan Kolam, 89300 Kuala Lumpur.
July 2013
2
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI
INTRODUCTION
The recent growth of mobile phone use is a phenomenon that crosses all age and gender boundaries. More than just the latest electronic gadget, mobile phone has become integral parts of our business and personal lives. According to the Hand phone User Survey, 2005 by Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, thirteen percentages of people aged below 20 years old owned a mobile phone. Nearly 80 % of people living in the Malaysia between the ages of 20 and 49 owned or used a mobile phone. The ownership percentages of people in higher age brackets are slightly lower. The ownership drops drastically to 8.7 % for people 50 years old and above. It show that the use of telephone is very important for every person.Malaysia is one of the countries in the world that has the highest usage of mobile phone. The mobile phone market in Malaysia grows very fast, only after China and Japan in the AsiaPacific region. According to the latest statistics, mobile phone users in Malaysia has reached 7,260,000, including registered subscribers and pre-paid card users. Five years ago in 1996, the figure was 1,510,000. The use of mobile phone in our country has increased fivefold in just 5 years. This also indicates that currently, 1 in every 3 Malaysians is a mobile phone user. Nowadays, beside development in technology, mobile phone has entered our life effectively and our life style has changed during these years gently. Therefore, establish your work or business on travel business while you are travelling throughout the world. First of all, obviously, people can keep in touch with others conveniently. You can connect with families and friends effectively at anytime, anywhere. For instance, when you remembered your family or feeling alone , having a chat or conversation on phones with friends will be an efficient approach to overcome it. Secondly, it will be a medium to ask for help. Especially when people, example like the elderly, confronted with troubles or urgent situations, they can obtain timely aids by utilizing handy phone. Last but not least, cell phones provide individuals certain pleasures and latest news. More functions, like games and surfing Internet, chatting video calls like Skype and Face book applications are added to mobile phones. Therefore, users can play their favorite games or get all the latest news easily.
3
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI Undoubtedly, mobile phone is one of the best devices which are invented to make our life more convenient. Therefore, people could use it to communicate with others simply. This ease of contact would help to improve familiar and friendly relationship independent of location where you are. Moreover, modern facilities such as mobile banking and internet banking through the internet could be used by mobile phone instead of traveling to the bank branches for financial jobs. Although, it is thought that microwaves which are transferred in the air by mobile antennas affect human’s body, for example the brain harmed when you are talking with mobile for long , still it is not proved that it has damaging effects. Also, society commentators believe that using mobiles persistently, can cause stress during the day, because the sound of mobile phone can bothers you all the time even though when you are in the resting time. However, some analysts insist using mobile phone can also be the cause social or medical problems. However, it is understandable that some drawbacks exist. Firstly, as we all know, telephones are harmful to health because of its radiation, which may cause some diseases easily. But manufacturers still cannot compensate this shorting. In addition, the quality of communication is not as ideal as its imperfect technology. Vital messages will be delayed or lose sometimes, in particular during the busy period of the internet. The users may suffer numerous damages without any remedies. Although telephones still cannot satisfy people’s whole demands perfectly at the moment, the transparent advances it has bought are meaningful for the history of humanity and should not be neglected. Thus, from my own perspective, its benefits exceed the shortages. In conclusion, using mobile phone will having some unproven medical or society problems, there is more advantages for with using mobiles and you cannot imagine life without it.
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
Nowadays, the popularity of mobile phones has brought about a lot of convenience but at the same time a variety of problems as well, such as social, medical and technical problems. However, I do not think these disadvantages will outweigh the advantages brought by cell phones. As the Occupational Safety and Health Manager, it is my responsibility to ensure the Occupational and Safety standards relating to the use of mobile phones and more stringent measures will be recommended. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using mobile phones. In addition, the report would also present
4
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI recommendations to overcome the social and medical problems related to the use of mobile phones. Then, this is to establish a written policy in Occupational Safety and Health which illustrates clearly the institute’s commitment in ensuring the social and medical problems would be minimized. These problems will be described in detail in the next topic in relation to safety and health procedures being practiced in Malaysia.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MOBILE PHONES
A mobile phone plays a significant role,it affects all medical and social aspects of our daily life from both negative and positive sides. Problems include the social and health aspects but all could be solved without incurring excessive finance.
Advantages of Mobile Phones
1. Perceived difficulty in doing job without a mobile phone From research Professor Judy Wajcman,Australia National University, over 57% of the workers thought that it would be‘very easy’ or ‘moderately e asy’ to do their job without a mobile phone. Conversely,one third (35%) thought it would be ‘difficult’ or ‘moderately difficult’ to work successfully without their mobile. A mere 8% thought it would be ‘impossible’ to do their job properly without a mobile phone. In a positive point of view, when people without jobs have hand phones that have access to the Internet, they will be able to browse the net for more job opportunities. For example, they can surf the The Star Onlines' work section to find a job that is suitable for them. With the help of the net, they can also do more research on the work that they have found apart from looking up on how they can prepare themselves for the job. Not only that, the mobile phones can also be used to make calls with the companies in which they would like to work with. In short, if the government provides those without work with a mobile phone, they will be able to find themselves an occupation in order to live and survive.
5
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI
2.
Balancing work and home/family/personal life
The mobile phone help to communicate with people that far from us such as from oversea.This connection is more easier and faster than telegram, letters and others. Communication is the best advantage that can be described of having mobile phone. You can communicate with your friends and family no matter where you are. Communication is the base for expressing one’s ideas and thought and communication skill also can become better level. We can contact easily to our friends and family everywhere, anytime without cables and electricity. It may be one of the most reason why people today choose to own a mobile phone. On the other hand, mobile phone is easier to carry everywhere according to I size small, light and battery-powered portable phone compare to others, mobile phone is such as 3 in 1 because through a mobile phone we can receive voice messages, we can read reminder and also surf internet. Everything only through mobile phones. Moreover, mobile phones help you seek help immediately during emergency cases such as robbery, fire burning, and accidents and so on. We can contact police station or call for ambulance at the time directly to seek for help. If doesn’t have mobile phone we will harder to contact the station to ask for help and maybe the situation be worst. Nothing more than a mobile phone comes to great help in emergency. For example, you are driving by the highway and you are trapped for direction ,the mobile phone is the first choice that come to rescue. Parents will also be less worried as their kids being constant touch with them whenever they go out. Not only that, if you met with accident ,you can call the police or ambulance and if the phone has camera function ,you can take pictures of the accident. Mobile phones also gives us easier access on the internet. Some of the mobile phone nowadays described as internet handy all the time and anywhere as the signal of the mobile phone provider can be reached. So, we don’t have to use our laptop or computer to surf internet. The camera, games, MP3, alarm clock, calendar, reminder, radio and etc. so we do not need to spend on buying camera alone to take pictures and alarm clock to wake us up. If we are bored also, we can play games and listening to the music in our own mobile phones.
6
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI
Problem 1.
Social problems.
First of all, almost everything that changed our lifestyle a lot will also cause some social problems. Mobile phones are not out of expectation. Speaking loudly on the phone in public areas, such as schools, libraries and hospitals appears to be very impolite and offensive. What is worse, some students utilize their cell phones as an effective cheating tools in examinations in which they can send and receive answers by texting each other. Nevertheless, it is not impossible to solve these problems, as long as some regulations and rules can be effectively implemented. Another debatable problem is about techniques. There is panic among people that their conversation can be intercepted by the third party. This possibility exists all the time. But a more efficient and reliable system can also be invented to guarantee the private information of users. Mobile phone can surf internet so they can searching for anything include pornography video and they also can record the video use mobile phone. Mobile phone can also make a person leak of social because their to obsess to their mobile phone. Watching television use mobile phone one of the course leak of social because to obsess to their mobile phone. The person more communicate use mobile phone such us chatting, short massage system (sms), multimedia massage system(mms) or other. Other than that, social problem is the addiction of mobile phone. People tend to spend less time with their family and friends because the people just contact through the phone and became lazy to meeting and socialize outside. Teens especially get too much addicted to mobile phone for talking, video, messaging, games and internet access. It can cause cyber bullying which is a bullying act using offensive words and behavior via online chatting, emails or Short Message Services (SMS). Other than that, mobile phones with camera functions can cause privacy problems. This is because many people have misused the usage on the camera phones such as using it as a hidden camera to take photos which are private. Saudi Arabia had banned camera phones throughout the country while many countries are concern about these problems.
7
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI
2. Medical Problems However, we cannot deny the bad effect of the mobile phone in social and medical problems for the users. Many scientists believe that the radiation from the mobile phones may cause the users to have symptoms such as headache, blurring of vision and even causing cancer. In addition, a research carried out shows that the mobile phone device can be dangerous to our health and can cause brain tumours or cancer although evidence on this is still not clear. Since mobile phones operate using magnetic fields, studies indicate that in some circumstances, the magnetic fields can affect living cells. Those who spends too long period of time talking on phone can be fatigued or develop headaches (Care ministries website-accessed on 19December 2011). Also, some argue that heavy use of mobile phones can damage sperms (Daily Express, th
Great Britain, 24 October 2006- by consumer Correspondent Graham Hiscott). The mobile phones are advice to reduce the usage if it is possible. Besides that, mobile phone addiction is becoming one of the biggest non-drugging in this century. Teenagers are always with their mobile phone all the times, no matter on phone call or messaging. Others than that, in order to get up to date, people tend to change their mobile phones once in a while. However, we can overcome these problems if we did not use it. The health effect of mobile phone radiation on children is very worrisome. All government reports and many scientific studies that are referred to in this article emphasize that child are more vulnerable than adults. Preadolescent children are more vulnerable [to microwave radiation] because of their thinner skulls, their still developing nervous systems, their increased levels of cell division, and their less robust immune systems. Children that grow up in our new mobile phone world are exposed to microwave radiation from the moment they are in the womb. The situation of the growing brain might deserve special concern.The intense use of mobile phones by youngsters is a serious consideration. A neuronal damage of the kind described here [dead brain cells after 50 days] may not have immediately demonstrable consequences, even if repeated. In the long run, however, it may result in reduced brain reserve capacity that might be unveiled by other neuronal disease or even the wear and tear of aging. In line with our precautionary approach, we believe that the widespread use of mobile phones by children for non-essential calls should be discouraged. We also recommend that the mobile phone industry 8
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI should refrain from promoting the use of mobile phones by children. Not too long ago it was normal for adults to smoke around children. Today, many consider smoking around around children highly irresponsible. The same mentality and caution should be used when it comes to the use of mobile phones by children and around children. The main cause to get the medical problems is because of unlimited using of the phone It can make ear problems .This is the main problem that happen among the peoples now days .Most of them used the hand phone for 2 hour and above in a one days .When they used the phone they will cover their ear by the phone . They are have some hole at the speaker .So when we used the phone for long time it will produce heat from the speaker hole. The heat will goes to ear canal and then it can make problem to the eardrum which is the main function of the ear.Lastlly the phone is the system which is make by the human so we need to know the proper ways to used the hand phone. In conclusion, nothing can be overused without side effects. The contribution of the mobile phone to our modern society is prominent and people's dependence on it is irreversible, although it has a number of problems that should be well handled.
Actions to overcome the problems
To ensure that the same problems will not recur, solutions have to be identified and immediate actions to be taken to rectify them. Regarding noise and interruptions created by loud conversation, Institute will help create awareness among the public on the importance of respecting silence in public places. Phone users need to practice healthy habits of talking by minimizing their volume to suit situations. Signage can be installed in strategic places to remind them about the regulations. The public themselves will benefit from this exrecise. Mobile phones communicate with base stations using radiofrequenc y (RF) radiation. RF radiation at a significant level has a thermal effect, which means it raises body temperature. There are concerns that the low levels of RF radiation emitted by mobile phones could cause health problems such as headaches or brain tumours. Intensive international research hasn’t found conclusive or convincing evidence that mobile phones are damaging to health in the short or long term. On the other hand, there are still unanswered questions regarding their complete safety. Research is ongoing. For safety, do not use the phone too long. 9
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI
Conclusion
A lot can be done. The mobile phone is designed to enable effective social communication and enhance business productivity. We can decide that if this is for productive purpose, then it should yield productive activity. Only make use of the mobile phone when necessary, if you want to prevent being addictive to the phone. Never pick up the mobile phone while driving as you put your life and that of other passengers at risk. Also let’s make effective use of the phone. There are a lot of things which we can learn through the mobile phone device. Let us use it positively. Finally, in a car, use an external antenna mounted outside the vehicle to move the source of the radiation farther from you.The Government should impose a legal firm to drivers who use cell phones while driving. To ensure that health and safety of the company employees, there would implications on finance of the telecommunication producers as they have to come up with mobile phones with high safety and health features. Purchasing original tool s which are guaranteed of their safety would also be costly. However in the long run, due to the safety features, number of accidents will be minimized, thus less money is used on m edical treatment and compensation. The Institute will play a role in assigning officials to monitor the production of the mobile phones to ensure that the health and safety standards are observed. Therefore, I strongly believe that the mobile phone has transformed our way we live, communicate and do business. Though there are social and medical problems related to it, the advantages clearly outweigh its disadvantages. With appropriate actions as recommended above, the mobile phone would continue to serve as an essential and vital communication tool for users worldwide. A wise user will use it to the full advantage and continue to transform their life.
10
OUMH2203 RAHIMAH BT ROBI
REFERENCES
Jaya Pushani Ponnudurai and group, (2012). OUMH2203 English For Workplace Communication:Selangor Darul Ehsan
M. Röösli, A. Huss, Mobile phone base station exposure and symptoms, Environ. Health Perspect. 116 (2008) A62 – A63.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_isolation
http://www.skmm.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf/Handphone-Users-Survey-2012.pdf http://www.studymode.com/essays/There-Are-Social-Medical-And-Technical-883938.html http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/cellphones
11
