Blog #8: The Next Innovation

Hello! Here is another blog I have not been able to publish. 

Hi, this is Kaori Shimamoto. 

Has everybody heard about the big news?! Yes! Apple has announced that they are releasing iPhone 5!! I still use what everybody in Japan calls, "Gara-kei", when many people are switching their phones to a "smart phone".  However, are smart phones really smart?

High-tech devices are now part of peoples lives and have made our living better. This unique and useful tool may be "smart", but people who are using it are not being smart to themselves. There are many risks in using their smart phones too much.

I read a article on the BBC news about how smartphone users are risking health with overuse of devices. This article mentions that people are becoming "screen slaves" and are overworking. Society says that those people being attached to their phones have bad postures which leads to back and neck pain. It is unnatural for people to look down constantly, creating pressure on your neck and backbone. This all becomes a chain reaction and causes stress and make workers physically and mentally ill. Especially in Japan, people already work more then those in other countries. On the train, in the streets, and even at home. Workers and students continue tapping on their smart phones.

Not only that, but the constant usage of phones itself are very dangerous in daily life. For example, there are many people, young and old, who uses their phones while walking. Those people are so focused on texting and using the internet that they are not cautious of what is happening around them. They have risks of getting into car accidents or bumping into poles and injuring themselves. 

Like the saying, "Don't drink and drive", people should start following the new saying, "Don't tap and walk", to reduce the risk of injuries. Smart phones might be convenient, but it would be much better to turn off your smart phones and give your device and yourself a rest.