Cutting You OffThe impact an iPhone has towards Social

Interaction

Noora Naim

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Social InteractionNoora Naim

Apple is one of the largest growing corporations in today’s age. Being a Trillian-dollar company, apple products are internationally well known for their quality and consistency. The iPhone has revolutionised the way we talk to one another as social interaction is now influenced by different platforms of communication. Despite its benefits, this new form of interaction comes with its negatives. Its development in technology has limited the amount of face to face interference, creating a social issue within our society due to the power of a notification.iPhones have disturbed the way people communicate with one another, social interaction has limited over the years as technology increases. Statistics have shown the average person checks their phone at least 5 times an hour, resulting in 80 times a day. The constant phone checking has created a social barrier as a two-way conversation becomes a three. This addiction has limited human interaction as there are other convenient ways to feel social.

Over the past 10 years messaging applications have updated. These are the most common apps downloaded on iPhones as they strive of the internet and do not have any additional costs. Thus, taking communication to another platform as messaging, calling or facetiming are a click away from talking to someone in another region. Although these updates have their benefits, it can create a negative environment resulting in a lazy generation of substituting human interaction with a text message. This form of communication can distance someone from their social life as they have created their own virtual world in the palm of their hands.

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A Solution With Apple introducing a new iPhone every year, an improved update is necessary as it keeps their promise of efficient quality products. New time management tools have been added to the iOS 12 improving on their social interaction issues. As statistics speak for themselves, apple has aimed to limit the time used on screen to progress human interaction.

Screen Time A tool called ‘screen time’ displays phone activity throughout the day. This update is efficient as it helps control and manage the time used on iPhones. It displays the applications used the most and can also restrict the amount of time spent on them through notifying the user. This allows them to balance screen time with their daily activities.

Do Not DisturbAnother tool that has progressed throughout Apples updates is the ‘do not

disturb’ switch. This effective device is great for time needed for concentration without the distraction of a phone. When in a meeting or studying, this tool operates well with limiting screen time to focus on the task in progress. This switch also comes with a night version as it controls receiving any notifications between the time you sleep and wake up. These effective tools portray apples ability to sustain their issues regarding social interaction.

References: UX Collective. (August 28). Redesigning social interactions on iOS with iMessage. Retrieved from https://uxdesign.cc/redesigning-social-interactions-on-ios-with-imessage-17e9c8fa314 Apple Inc [US]. (June 4th, 2018). iOS 12 introduces new features to reduce interruptions and manage Screen Tim. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/06/ios-12-introduces-new-features-to-reduce-interruptions-and-manage-screen-time/

The Conversation. (March 10th, 2015). pple Watch: phantom menace of smartwatches could make us even more self-obsessed. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/apple-watch-phantom-menace-of-smartwatches-could-make-us-even-more-self-obsessed-38561 John Martellaro. (May 18th, 2018). iPhone Addiction is Our Problem, Not Apple’s. Retrieved from https://www.macobserver.com/columns-opinions/particle-debris/iphone-addiction-problem/ King university online. (July 27th, 2017). Cell Phone Addiction: The Statistics of Gadget Dependency. Retrieved from https://online.king.edu/news/cell-phone-addiction/

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We took a survey and tested the amount of times an iPhone user glances at their phone within a hour regardless of their social setting. These are the results:

Bar Graph: Uncontrollable Glances

Therefore, iPhone development has impacted social interactions within society due to many new platforms of communication. The youth are the most effected by this issue as they are constantly exposed to this way of life from a young age. Apple took account these problems and developed tools such as screen time and do not disturb to limit time wasted on phones. This helps build a society were social interaction is not effected by technology.