|
Technology: Cheating's Main Accomplice
“Three in five high school students admitted that they had cheated on
an exam, and more than four in five admitted copying another student’s homework in the past 12 months” (“Cheating”
2). How do kids get away with cheating on exams? Wouldn’t the teacher hear the whispers or see students peeking at other
papers? Well, the answer to those questions are most likely both yes, however, cheating has taken a turn for the worse, and
is now powered by technology. Camera phones allow students to take pictures of exams or answer sheets and send it to practically
anyone who has a phone. If teachers allow students to listen to their iPods during class or during a test, he/she is taking
students to the tree and telling them not to eat the fruit. Answers to tests, study guides, even chapters from the textbook
can all be put onto an iPod simply and quickly. Even graphing calculators can store information needed to pass a calculus
test. Cheating has become so prevalent in schools due to the technology available to students anywhere at any time, and there
must be solutions implemented in all schools to prevent such actions from occurring.
|
 |
|
|
Cancer Causing Habit!
One of the problems
with technology that is often over looked, is the drastic effect it can have on one’s health. Studies show that “Mobile phones can cause sudden confusion and short-term memory loss, according
to worrying research by British military scientists” (health effects). Perhaps this state of confusion could be a leading
factor in the amount of car accidents each year that are caused by people on cell phones. Once in a confused state, a person
may not recognize where they are and could easily run a red light without even realizing there was a light there. Such incidents
may be fatal, and precautions should be taken. For instance, talking on a cell phone while driving should be in case of emergencies
only and at any other time, the driver should pull off of the road and proceed in making their phone call.
“Scientists from Colorado University have shown that frequent mobile
users had significantly depressed melatonin - a vital cancer-preventing hormone. An Australian study has linked the phones
to a higher rate of brain cancer” (qtd. Begich 26). Is the risk of cancer great enough to limit the amount of phone
use one might normally take part in? Perhaps if people were aware of such dangers in using a mobile device, extra care would
be taken when considering using a telephone— a piece of technology that so much of the world has become accustomed to
and even dependent upon.
|
|
|
|
|
Deductions
Based on this evidence, I would consider
technology dangerous not only to our health but to the future of mankind as well. The addiction has become so prevalent throughout
society, it is difficult to go a day without using a computer, cell phone, television, iPod, etc. By instilling the programs
and other solutions mentioned in this paper, the detrimental effects of technology and even the over use of technology can
be limited. While an addiction takes time to overcome, results shouldn’t take more than a decade. In fact, since technology
grows at such an exponential rate, all we have to do is become complacent and limiting our use will become much easier. Dealing
with all the new products available everyday is such a rush for a vast amount of people, the slowing down of production may
in fact be the cure to our disease. If the whole world suspended production of these little monsters, nobody would be harmed
at all and perhaps wars would be more civil or maybe there wouldn’t be any wars. Without atomic bombs and specialized
weapons and fighter jets, a war would be virtually pointless. Perhaps the development of technology is what may end the world.
We may become the enemy of that which we created.
|
|
|
|
|
