Social trends and impacts of Smartphones and Tablets
Current Social Trends
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With a smartphone or tablet in hand, Singaporeans usually also engage in other activities such as watching television, eating, or commuting.
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Being the heaviest Internet users in Southeast Asia, doubtlessly, internet-capable mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are popular among Singaporeans.
According to a poll, it is postulated that smartphone and tablet computer ownership is expected to hit 89% by 2012.
Now, about seven in 10 own smartphones in Singapore.
Now, about seven in 10 own smartphones in Singapore.
Social networking, which was previously only achievable face-to-face has now evolved to a different form, where people participate in social networking sites such as Facebook and discussion forums such as Hardware Zone, to interact with friends and share their opinions.
This is very much attributed not just to the well-connectedness provided in Singapore with various options for users to access the internet but also the advent of smartphones and tablets.
This is very much attributed not just to the well-connectedness provided in Singapore with various options for users to access the internet but also the advent of smartphones and tablets.
Future Social Trends
The usage of smartphones and tablets is gaining significant momentum, as can be seen from the growing demand of such devices in the market.
For most of the Southeast Asian countries surveyed such as Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, there is a significantly high proportion of digital consumers with an intention to purchase a tablet computer.
As for smartphones, the demand is not as big in these countries probably due to the fact that many users in these countries have already owned one.
The usage of smartphones and tablets is gaining significant momentum, as can be seen from the growing demand of such devices in the market.
For most of the Southeast Asian countries surveyed such as Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, there is a significantly high proportion of digital consumers with an intention to purchase a tablet computer.
As for smartphones, the demand is not as big in these countries probably due to the fact that many users in these countries have already owned one.
With the ownership of these devices set to surge in the near future, it is likely that there will be changes made in various aspects of our lives.
For instance, the education sector has already jumped on the bandwagon and invested more money and effort in developing the possibility of utilizing tablets in an attempt to maximize the learning experience for students.
Themes like one-to-one computing and mobile computing are emerging in technology-based education.
For instance, the education sector has already jumped on the bandwagon and invested more money and effort in developing the possibility of utilizing tablets in an attempt to maximize the learning experience for students.
Themes like one-to-one computing and mobile computing are emerging in technology-based education.
Communication within the family has also seen significant changes with the advent of smartphones and tablets.
The ownership of a smartphone has been growing rapidly to include children as young as 7 year old.
Communication among family members, especially for younger families nowadays, is increasingly taking place via text messages, social communication mobile applications such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Viber, Skype, etc.
Verbal or face-to-face communication, on the hand, seems to be dwindling.
The ownership of a smartphone has been growing rapidly to include children as young as 7 year old.
Communication among family members, especially for younger families nowadays, is increasingly taking place via text messages, social communication mobile applications such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Viber, Skype, etc.
Verbal or face-to-face communication, on the hand, seems to be dwindling.
Other future trends might include a shift of traditional media to online social media, which is gaining popularity in Singapore as can be seen from Mediacorp’s introduction of MobTV, which allows channel content to be assessed from the internet using smartphones and tablets.
Social Impact
Internet Addiction Disorder
As with many other new technologies, the rise of smartphones and tablets brings with it a myriad of social problems associated with the compulsive usage of the internet. One of them is “Internet Addiction Disorder” (IAD).
Adoption of different identities by users
Replacement of traditional way of communication
Internet Addiction Disorder
As with many other new technologies, the rise of smartphones and tablets brings with it a myriad of social problems associated with the compulsive usage of the internet. One of them is “Internet Addiction Disorder” (IAD).
The term was coined by Dr Ivan Goldberg, a New York City psychiatrist who asserts that “IAD is not a recognized medical addiction like alcoholism, but more like an out-of-control behavior that threatens to overwhelm the addict’s normal life.”
Smartphones and tablets’ portability allows users to stay connected almost all the time, leading to a possible over-reliance or a compulsive habit for users to check their email, engage with other online users or participate in online forums.
Smartphones and tablets’ portability allows users to stay connected almost all the time, leading to a possible over-reliance or a compulsive habit for users to check their email, engage with other online users or participate in online forums.
Adoption of different identities by users
Apart from IAD, other social problems that smartphones and tablets might bring users include the adoption of different identities by users. Users sometimes take on various identities when they are online and communicate with others using different identities.
This has been controversial as some sociologists argue the act of assuming different identities on the internet provides the user with sufficient opportunities to discover their real self in the midst of social communication.
Others assert the growth of a social void in online social networking.
This has been controversial as some sociologists argue the act of assuming different identities on the internet provides the user with sufficient opportunities to discover their real self in the midst of social communication.
Others assert the growth of a social void in online social networking.
Replacement of traditional way of communication
The growing dependence on online communication led by the rising ownership of smartphones and tablets has also replaced the traditional way of social communication, depriving one of eye contact, instant understanding of others’ facial expressions.
This has been argued to void one of emotions, albeit not entirely. Many of the younger generation these days would rather “retreat” into their virtual social world than engage in meaningful conversations in reality.
This has been argued to void one of emotions, albeit not entirely. Many of the younger generation these days would rather “retreat” into their virtual social world than engage in meaningful conversations in reality.
The growth of smartphones and tablets should not be seen only as bringing about negative social impact. With its speed, connectivity, functionality to boast, there is much to be achieved with this new technology. For instance, the applications that are developed to work on these devices, including location-based services and other effective utilities have helped many organize their daily chores in a much more efficient manner, leaving more time in a day for quality time spent with their families and friends.
From the social perspective, though, there is a need to exercise moderation in the usage of such devices in order to ensure that utility is maximized with minimal negative social consequences.
From the social perspective, though, there is a need to exercise moderation in the usage of such devices in order to ensure that utility is maximized with minimal negative social consequences.
