By Matthew Rocco
As useful as they may be, technological devices such as cell phones are considered distracting by an increasing number of people, according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center.
Despite these findings, such side effects of technology do not seem to prevent users from disconnecting. With technology a focal point of both professional and personal lives, the positive often outweighs the negative, and adults are still attached to the growingly complex devices.
“In my personal life, I find cell phones very useful, in particular because I have children and find them necessary to either contact someone or be contacted in an emergency,” said Dr. Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor of religious studies at Manhattan College.
With cell phones an important part of professional lives, the devices can become distractions in different formal or public settings. Jobs often demand for the use of a cell phone, so it can be hard for people to escape from the technology.
“I understand if the person states ahead of time that they are expecting an urgent call and might have to step out. I also understand if someone forgets to shut off their phone and apologizes,” said Dr. Arno Kolz, a psychology professor at Manhattan College. “Just taking ordinary calls without consideration for how it is interrupting the group is highly inconsiderate.”
“I think people cannot control when they receive a phone call or a text, but they can control their reaction to it,” Dr. Imperatori-Lee said. “I think taking a phone call or replying to a text in a meeting or any formal gathering is disrespectful to those participating.”
On a college campus, technology is changing campus life for the foreseeable future. Many students take advantage of laptops during classes, and cell phones are the life-blood of social life. The way students communicate with others is certainly dictated by the available technology and internet tools, such as Facebook and Twitter. However, regulating the use of cell phones and other devices in the classroom is commonplace.
“I feel that students are not good about managing the distraction that the cell phone provides and that, because they are in college to learn, their attention should focus on the goings-on in class,” Dr. Imperatori-Lee said.
School-wide policies are not typically instituted by colleges and universities. College students are usually told from the onset of a class that cell phones are prohibited, but some professors prefer to deal with any problems as they arise.
“Students can do what they want if they are not being disruptive or distracting to fellow students,” Dr. Kolz said. “This applies to cell phones, laptops with internet access, or anything else. If I see a problem, I ask them to stop. I have never had a student continue to be a problem after that.”
The functionality and portability of a laptop can be attractive to students who prefer typed notes and electronic books. Before blanket internet coverage was a must on campuses, the use of laptops was not much of an issue. However, college admissions offices enjoy telling prospective students about the complete wireless internet coverage on campus. It is an easy selling point.
With wireless internet access in academic buildings, laptops can easily distract students from class lectures, and professors look to avoid such distractions.
“Laptops have the strong potential to be both useful and distracting,” Dr. Kolz said. “If the person is using the laptop to take notes, that is good. In fact, I am surprised more students do not do that. It has become the norm at many colleges.”
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