Mobile phones have transformed the lives of nearly everyone on the planet in the last few years . They have made communication easy and cheap between friends , family and businesses . The phones are not only used for speech and text messages but increasingly to browse the internet , to read email , to play games or to pay for products . In many countries , particularly those with slow network connections , the internet is something that happens on a mobile phone rather than on a computer .
There are also disadvantages to using mobile phones . One is the potential health risk . While the information is not conclusive some people living near to mobile phone transmitters report higher rates of cancer then elsewhere . Keeping a powerful device transmitting waves and heat next to your ear for long periods of time may be harmful to heavy users of mobile phones . There are also social problems related to mobile phone use . Walking around with a phone glued to your ear may prevent you from interacting with other people while anti-social use on public transport or in the cinema has led to many public environments , such as theatres and cinemas , requesting users to switch their phones off or to silent . There are also technical issues with mobile phone use . Many areas do not have network connectivity and the reliability or audio quality of the mobile service in other areas may fall well short of that provided by a landline .
Significant those these drawbacks may be , the huge convenience of the mobile phone will ensure that its use continues to change our lives .