Cell phones are definitely wants and not needs. I personally do have one, but when I think about it, I don’t think I would absolutely need it, since I don’t use it a ton. Many teenagers today feel like they need a cell phone to keep up with friends, family, and social media, but that shouldn’t be the case. In a recent article, it says that from 2010 to 2020, carbon dioxide emissions from cell phones are expected to grow from 17 megatons of CO2 per year to 123 megatons of CO2 per year, a 730% growth in that time span. Also, in 2020, about 11% of the world’s produced CO2 is predicted to be from cell phones, an increase from 4% in 2010. Since some companies purposefully slow down older phones to make customers buy their new ones, it leads to a whole lot of unnecessary electric waste. No one should ever “need” a new cell phone, especially if they already have one. Many people don’t know that they produce a lot of CO2, which we need to change. You may think that they are important to keep in touch with friends and family, but when you stop and really think about it, do you re ally need this small piece of technology?
Source: http://theconversation.com/how-smartpho … anet-92793

Wow that's is crazy thanks for the information. I personally agree with you I have a cell phone and it can become a big distraction especially for me. Social media is a waste of time and I really only use it to contact my mother, father, and some close friends. After reading what you said I think I am going to reduce how much time I spend on my phone.

For the most part, I agree.  However, I believe that phones are a need for most people.  Phones provide distractions, and while we tend to think that this is a want, there have been various studies proving that our brains need to be stimulated frequently, no matter where the stimulus comes from.  One study had a test subject sit in an empty room with only one distraction; a button that shocks the subject.  Despite the subject saying that he would never press the button again, he did so after waiting only 6 minutes.  This is because we are social creatures.  While communicating to others is important, it is just as important for us to receive.  Because of this, I think that phones provide us with something that we need

I agree that you should not say you need a phone if you have the latest update only if it is in bad condition to where you can not fix it. I also agree with the fact that people think they need phones to keep up with friends, but if you take time off from your phone you will soon realize that you do not even need it. You will find a way without a phone.

Bryler, 730% growth in CO2 emissions is incredibly concerning. I fully agree that cell phones are a want and not a need. Yes, they are convenient, but it is possible to get along without them and many people do, thus putting them squarely in the category of a ‘want’. Bkern, in the modern day environment I am more concerned about overwhelming information and distractions rather than a lack of them. This decreases creativity and concentration levels. In addition, cell phones may allow humans to communicate and receive messages, but they are also designed to keep us using them at whatever the cost to our mental health and real-life, face-to-face interactions with others. In an interview, a former Facebook executive referred to “the short-term dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created.” Likes on Facebook or other social media platforms along with rewards on games make the user anticipate the rush of this reward, keeping them checking constantly. In short, ce ll phones are not only unnecessary, they are harmful to their users.
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog … -addiction

I think that is great that you are that aware and responsible with your phone! Do you plan on raising awareness of this information, and if so, how?

I agree, mostly every teen I know has one and uses it more than once a day, And charges it at night. We don’t necessarily need a phone! It’s basically just something that sucks up energy!