A STUDY ON MOBILE USING ETHICS IN ADULTS

Transcription

1 Abstract:- A STUDY ON MOBILE USING ETHICS IN ADULTS Research Astudy on mobile using ethics in adults is based on knowledge and uses by adults. TRAI decides ethics for mobile using. For this research 180 respondents have been selected from Jhansi District. Sampling is based on non random sampling that is Purposive sampling. This type of sampling is selected because researcher has taken only those respondents who have mobile phone. In this research, researcher finds that the people are aware of the ethics but fail to implement in practice. Most of the subjects denied late night calling, teasing people on the phone, trying unknown numbers, using mobiles while driving, recording phone calls etc. while they do it in reality. The subjects answered according to the ethical behaviour of a responsible citizen while in reality they did not abide by the TRAI ethics. Key Words :- Ethics, Mobile, Using, Adults, Mobile Using Ethics. INTRODUCTION The use of cell-phones has become so ubiquitous that we seem to have forgotten that taking or placing a cellular call isn't always okay. People place and take calls in the theatre during a performance, in meetings and classes, in hospitals, and in the middle of conversations we're trying to have with them. Have these handy devices become an actual necessity or are they just one more way for us to be rude to each other? Code Of Ethics For Mobile Users According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, there are some basic rules that should be followed while using mobile phones. Within the framework of the role and keenness of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Consumer Rights Protection Committee (CRPC), affiliated thereto, in guiding and raising the users' awareness of various telecom issues, the issue of an Ethics Code is one of the most significant steps taken in this respect. This Ethics Code aims to regulate the users' behaviours on using mobile phones especially with the increasing and intense problems and irresponsible behaviour of some users of mobile technology. According to TRAI sixteen rules need to be followed by everyone while using mobile phones. Umesh Kumar These rules are- 1. The mobile phone technology is considered one of the greatest technologies that emerged in the last few years to serve humanity, so do not ever use it to annoy or tease others. 2. Don't call others during their times of sleep or rest. 3. Don't get excited on receiving a wrong number and be more tolerant. 4. Check the number before dialing it in order not to annoy any person. 5. Don't annoy others with your loud conversations in case you have a mobile phone's loud speaker. Moreover, this offends the person you are talking to (on the mobile) as he does not know that others are hearing his conversation. 6. Don't use mobile phones with high technologies such as the photographic or video cameras to violate others' privacy. Know for sure that making materials that concern any person available on the Internet or mobile phones without his knowledge or consent is considered an immoral act punished by law and Assistant Professor, Bhaskar Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi Contact No.: , Id: umesh.or.kumar@gmail.com 25

2 condemned and rejected by religion and moral ethics. 7. Avoid sending SMSs that include inappropriate words or indecent photos as you will be charged and accused legally for this. 8. Don't speak loudly on your mobile phones in public places such as hospitals, clinics or conference halls, etc. 9. Switch off your mobile phone in places of worship, lecture and examination rooms, cinemas, theatres, etc. 10. Switch off your mobile phone in hospitals especially in ICUs lest any potential wave interference occurs. 11. Choose a non-annoying ringtone for your mobile phone. Always remember that ringtones aim mainly to make the mobile user know that he has got a call. 12. Don't use your mobile phone while driving as this will expose you to huge dangers and it is illegal. 13. Use your mobile phone to report something or receive important information. 14. Beware of dealing with the companies that defraud people concerning certain ringtones or applications for their mobile phones. You should deal only with trustworthy companies. 15. Don't respond to text messages or calls you receive from unknown numbers or sources because most probably they aim to swindle on you. 16. On receiving a text message, verify the information mentioned in it before circulating it in order not to take part in the circulation and propagation of rumours or unverified information. There may be ethical issues surrounding cell phone technology, but don't let it stand in the way of the advantages because they do exist. Cell phones are great sources for emergencies. They allow people to get help almost immediately when needed. Cell phones also are a major convenience in people's life. They allow people to be contacted away from land lines; this works great for people that travel a lot or are just hard to reach in general. Cell phones are a fantastic addition to the growth of technology when used properly. Objective of the study 1. To know the pattern of mobile using. 2. To know the ethical knowledge of mobile using. 3. To learn the behavior of following mobile using ethics in various circumstances. Literature review Spanish sociologist especially associated with research on the information society, communication and globalization Manuel Castells conducted a research in 2006 with the help of co-researcher Mireia Fernandez- Ardevol, Jack Linchuan Qui, and Araba Sey entitled Mobile Communication and Society: A Global Perspective This research concluded that that Mobile telephones are the fastest diffusing communication technology in history. The rapid diffusion of technology and its use in our daily lives to augment our personal communication have impacted our behaviors and the etiquette of communication. A senior research scientist at Telenor Rich Ling published a book in 2004 entitled ' The Mobile Connection: The Cell Phone's Impact on Society'. In this book Author describe that Technology development and adoption are different in different areas and strata within a nation. There are many factors accounting for the far higher adoption rates in many developed countries and the significant national differences in adoption rates in a rapidly developing country. The mobile phone is used for real time coordination while on the run, adolescents use it to manage their freedom, and teens text to each other day and night. The mobile phone is more than a simple technical innovation or social fad, more than just an intrusion on polite society. Senior Director and Principal Analyst with IHS, the leading information company with comprehensive content, insight and expertise in key areas shaping today's global business landscape Dr.Jagdish Rebello writes an article entitled isuppli: 97 26

3 percent Indian population would have a mobile phone by 2014'. Market research company isuppli Corp forecasts that India's mobile phone customer base is likely to include over 97% of the country's population by According to Rebello all kinds of people would soon own a cell phone, not including children and very poor people. He added that a major chunk of teledensity growth would be contributed by rural markets through the provision of low-end handless sets as the urban markets are approaching saturation. Nick Wilson, George Thomson, Nicola Starkey, Samuel Charlton conducted a research in 2013 entitled Persisting mobile phone use while driving and possible solutions for New Zealand finds that in New Zealand the use of hand-held phones while driving was prohibited in 2009, but 'hands-free' phones are still permitted. The main findings were that out of 8335 cars systematically observed at traffic lights and 9520 cars in moving traffic, the use of mobile phones was 1.87% and 1.34% respectively. As well as the significantly higher usage at traffic lights versus in moving traffic. Jack Nasar, Peter Hecht and Richard Wener conducted a research in 2007 entitled 'Call if You Have Trouble': Mobile Phones and Safety Table No. 01 Data Interpretation Analysis of mobile and internet usage among College Students'. Research conducted a survey on 317 undergraduates at The Ohio State University (OSU) found that most students reported having a mobile phone and feeling that it made them feel safer at night. A follow-up survey of 305 undergraduates at OSU found that about 40% of students with mobile phones stated that, with a mobile phone, they walked where they normally would not. However, smaller percentages said they used their mobile phones to call for help either in a crime or non-crime situation or to report an accident, a crime, a reckless driver or a hazardous situation. Research Methodology The research entitled A study on mobile using ethics in adults is based on quantitative data. The population was divided into categories according to sex and age. The survey was restricted to the people above the age of 18 years. The population was further subdivided on the basis of age. Equal number of males and females were surveyed from all sub-groups to acquire more accurate results. The size of population is 180. The area of the research is Jhansi. Researcher had chosen the Five point Likert scale to record the most appropriate responses because of the five options namely-strongly agree, agree neutral 27

4 disagree, strongly disagree, given in the questionnaire. This helped to save time which would have otherwise been wasted in decoding answers given in statements and also provide the respondents with a spectrum of options that helped them rate the answer according to their level of consent. The investigator used a questionnaire to survey 180 people. It was a self administering survey which could be given only to an individual there was no time limit to complete the test but usually its completion took minutes. The surveyor had clear cut understanding of the stated instructions which needed his response as to how he generally felt and that the respondent checked out that particular option out of the five options given. Table shows that 30 percent youth are agree to use internet on mobile, 3.33 are neutral and no one is disagree. In middle age group 20 percent respondents are agree, 1.66 are neutral and are disagree to use mobile internet. In the group of senior citizens percent peoples are agree and are disagree. Use mobile at work place without necessary reason is not a good habit. In the age group of youth 10 percent respondents are agree, 5 percent are neutral and are disagree to use mobile at work place. In middle age group no one is agree to use mobile phone at work place. 20 percent respondents are neutral and are disagree to use mobile at work place. In the group of senior citizens also no one is agree to use mobile at work place percent respondents are neutral and 6.66 are disagree to use mobile at work place. One the question activating night pack In the age group of youth 6.66 percent respondents are agree, 1.66 percent is neutral and 30 percent respondents are disagree using night pack. In middle age group 1.66 percent respondents are agree and percent respondents are disagree to usage of night pack. In the group of senior citizens also no one is agree to use night pack. On this question percent respondents are neutral and 6.66 are disagree using night pack. In today world mobile has become a necessary device for every person. On the question of mobile's importance in the life near Table No. 02 Analysis of mobile using ethics based on Making and receiving a call 28

5 about all respondents are agree. In the age group of youth percent respondents agree, 3.33 are neutral and 1.66 percent respondents are disagrees to mobile being an important part of life. In middle age group 30 percent respondents agree, 3.33 are neutral. In the group of youth percent respondents agree, 5 percent are neutral and 10 percent respondents disagree to mobile being an important part of life. On the question of Any problem due to mobile In the group of youth 6.66 percent respondents are agree, 6.66 percent are neutral and 20 percent respondents are disagree having a problem because of mobiles. In middle age group 10 percent respondents are people agree, 6.66 percent are neutral and percent respondents are disagree to having a problem because of mobiles. In the age group of senior citizens 3.33 percent respondents are agree, 6.66 percent are neutral and percent respondents disagree to having a problem because of mobiles. On analysis of the total respondents researcher finds that percent peoples are agree to use internet on mobile, 05 percent are neutral and percent are disagree. Senior citizens are more disagree to use internet on mobile. Only 10 per cent respondents are agree to use mobile at work place percent are neutral and are disagree to use mobile at work place. Table shows that 10 percent respondents use night pack and 85 percent are disagree to use night pack percent respondents say that mobile have become the part of life percent respondents not face any problem due to mobile. The above data shows that in the age group of youth 5 percent respondents are agree, 3.33 percent are neutral and 25 percent are disagree to make call while driving. In middle age group 1.66 percent respondents agrees, percent respondents are neutral and percent respondents are disagree to make call while driving & in the group of senior citizens no one is agree to call while driving percent respondents are neutral and 15 percent respondents are disagree to make call while driving. For making missed call - only 5 percent youth are agree, 1.66 percent are neutral and are disagree. In middle age group 8.33 percent respondents are agree, 5 percent are neutral and 20 percent respondents are. in the age group of senior citizens 5 percent respondents are agree and percent are disagree for making missed call. To Return a missed call in the age group of youth percent respondents are agree, 6.66 are neutral and 8.33 are disagree. In middle age group 30 percent respondents agree and 3.33 are disagree and in the group of senior citizens percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and 8.33 are disagree. On calling unknown numbers in the age group of youth 3.33 percent respondents are agree, 1.66 are and are disagree. In middle age group percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and are disagree while in the group of senior citizens 5 percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and 25 are disagree. Calling is late night is unethical. In the group of youth 10 percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and 20 percent are disagree. In middle age group 10 percent respondents are agree, 5 percent are neutral and are disagree and 6.66 percent senior citizens are agree, 5 percent are neutral and are disagree. While asking about early morning making a phone call to the age group of youth 10 percent respondents are agree, 10 percent are neutral and percent are disagree. Middle age group respondents percent agree, 1.66 are neutral and 15 percent are disagree and in the age group of senior citizens 1.66 percent are agrees, 5 percent are neutral and are disagree. Call during work hours- In the group of youth 10 people agree, 1 person stayed neutral and 9 disagree to attend or make call during work hours. In middle age group 14 people agree, 1 person stands neutral and 5 disagree to make call during work hours & in the group of senior citizens 14 people agree, 0 people are neutral and 6 disagree to call during work hours. Recording phone calls are also unethical. In the age group of youth percent respondent record, 5 percent 29

6 Table No. 03 Mobile using ethics related to message Sending are neutral on this question and are disagree. In middle age group 5 percent are agree, percent are neutral and 10 percent are disagree. Senior citizens do not record any call. While answering this question 5 percent are neutral and are disagree about recording phone calls. The above table shows that percent respondents are disagree to use mobile phone while driving. 75 percent respondent make missed call While 70 percent respondents respond on make call. 70 percent respondents are disagree to try unknown numbers. 60 percent do not make late night call and percent do not make call early in the morning. 55 percent respondents call on working hours and 55 percents are disagree to record any phone call. Late night messaging- In the age group of youth percent respondents are agree, 1.66 are neutral and percent respondents are disagree to late night messaging. In middle age group 8.33 percent respondents are agree and 25 percent are disagree to late night messaging. In the age group of senior citizens 8.33 percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and percent respondents are disagree to late night messaging. Sending sentimental messages is very common. In the age group of youth 15 people agree, 3.33 people are neutral and 15 percent respondents are disagree to sending sentimental messages. In middle age group 8.33 percent respondents are agree, 6.66 are neutral and percent respondents are disagree sending sentimental messages. In the age group of senior citizens 6.66 percent respondents are agree, 5 percent are neutral and percent respondents are disagree sending sentimental messages. In present era Sending multimedia messages is cheap in monetary form. Multimedia messages are also more impressive. In the age group of youth 10 percent respondents are agree, 1.66 are neutral and percent respondents are disagree sending multimedia messages. In middle age group 10 percent respondents are agrees, 1.66 are neutral and percent respondents are disagree. In the age group of senior citizens 6.66 percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and are disagree sending multimedia msg. Send awareness message- In the age group of youth percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and 8.33 are disagree to send awareness messages. In middle age group 10 percent respondents are agree, 1.66 are neutral and percent respondents disagree. In the group of senior citizens percent respondents are agree and are disagree to sending awareness messages. Analysis of Replying behaviour of messages shows that in the group of youth percent respondents reply all messages are neutral and 5 percent respondents are not agree to reply all messages. In middle age group percent respondents are 30

7 Table No. 04 Analysis of mobile using Ethics based on Contact number agree, 1.66 is neutral and 10 percent respondents are disagree on replying messages. In the age group of senior citizens percent respondents are agree, 1.66 are neutral and 16 percent respondents are disagree replying to messages. The Above table shows that 65 percent respondents do not send message in late night and 55 percent respondent not sent sentimental message. Only percent respondents send multimedia message and percent sent awareness message. 67 percent respondents reply on all messages. While asked about receiving unknown number phone calls in the age group of youth 15 percent are agree, 3.33 are neutral and 15 percent are disagree. In middle age group percent are agree, 1.66 are neutral and 8.33 are disagree. In the age group of senior citizen percent agree and 10 percent are disagree. On the question of using more than one number In the age group of youth 15 people agree and are disagree. In middle age group are agree and are disagree. In the age group of senior citizen are agree and 20 percent are disagree. Giving new number to relative or disclose identity is very Table No. 04 Analysis of Ethics related to switching on/off of mobile phone 31

8 important while make a phone call. In the age group of youth percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and disagree to give new number to relatives. In middle age group percent are agree, 10 percent are neutral and 5 percent are disagree. In the group of senior citizen 15 percent peoples are agree, 10 percent are neutral and 8.33 percent are disagree. Checking phone number before dialling is very important. On the basis of above data of the table we state that in the age group of youth percent respondents agree, 3.33 percent are neutral and 3.33 percent are disagree. In middle age group 25 percent respondents are agree, 6.66 percent people are neutral and 1.66 are disagree. While in the age group of senior citizens percent respondents are agree, 1.66 is neutral and 3.33 disagree. Switching off mobile phone is some places is very necessary. In classroom the age group of youth percent respondents are agree, 10 percent are neutral and 10 percent respondents are disagree to switch off mobile in classroom. In middle age group 8.33 percent respondents are agree, 25 percent are neutral. In the group of senior citizens 6.66 percent respondents are agree, are neutral and 3.33 disagree to switching off mobiles in classrooms. Not switch off mobile in hospital - In the group of youth percent respondents are agree, 8.33 percent are neutral and 6.66 percent respondents are disagree to not switching off mobiles in hospital. In middle age group percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and 6.66 percent respondents are disagree to not switching off mobile in hospital. In the group of senior citizens 25 percent respondents are agree, 1.66 are neutral and 6.66 percent respondents are disagree to not switch off mobile in hospital Switch of mobile before sleeping - In the group of youth 8.33 percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and percent respondents are disagree switching of mobile before sleeping. In middle age group 3.33 percent respondents are agree, 5 percent respondents are neutral and percent respondents are disagree to switch of mobile before sleeping. In the group of senior citizens 3.33 percent respondents are agree and percent respondents disagree to switch of mobile before sleeping. Feel uneasy when mobile gets switched off - In the group of youth percent respondents are agree, 8.33 are neutral and 1.66 percent respondents are disagrees feeling uneasy when mobile gets switched off. In middle age group percent respondents are agree, 6.66 are neutral and 8.33 percent respondents are disagree feeling uneasy when mobile gets switched off. In the age group of senior citizens percent respondents are agree, 3.33 are neutral and percent respondents disagree to feeling uneasy when mobile gets switched off. The above table shows that only percent respondents switch off mobile phone in classroom and 20 percent respondents switch of in hospital. Only 15 percent respondents switch off mobile phone while sleeping. 55 percent users feel uneasy when their mobile gets switch off. Findings and Conclusion The highest percentage of mobile users is youth, for whom mobile has become a primary source of communication, both at the personal and professional fronts. Though middle aged people do not use much mobile internet, the population of middle aged people who are adopting this trend is increasing gradually. Senior citizens do not prefer or rely on mobile technology but a small percentage is catching up and learning to operate mobile phones and use mobile internet, thus changing with the times. 58 percent respondents opted for neutral option when asked about switching off mobiles in schools and classrooms. This population of subjects comprised teachers and college students. Most of them preferred to put their phones on silent mode instead of switching them off. 67 percent respondents do not switch off their mobiles in hospitals. It is general 32

9 belief that mobiles only cause pollution and this can be dealt with by putting the mobile on silent mode. The fact that radio waves from mobile phones can hamper the working of delicate machinery can harm the patients with low immunity is not known to many people. 20 of the remaining respondents are agreed to switching off mobiles in hospitals while 13 percents remained neutral, saying that it depended on the severity of the situation. If they needed to make calls for the patient's treatment or to arrange for blood donors they won't switch off their mobile but if they were going to meet a patient they will switch it off. 77 percent respondents do not switch off their phones before going to sleep. Only 7 percent respondents agreed to making/receiving calls while driving. Through careful observation of the subjects it was observed that the actual percentage of people who use mobile while driving was much higher than 7 percent. This led to the conclusion that people are aware that they should not use mobile phone while driving but do it anyway. 35 percent respondents remained neutral to answering the question because they did not want to accept their wrong doing and could neither deny using mobiles while driving. This proves that the actual percentage of people who use mobile while driving is higher than recorded by the questionnaire. 18 percent respondents accepted to making missed calls to people. Out of this 25 percent of the respondents were middle aged people. On the basis of the recorded data it is clear that the people are aware of the ethics but fail to implement in practice. Most of the subjects denied late night calling, teasing people on the phone, trying unknown numbers and using mobiles while driving, recording phone calls etc. while they do it in reality. The subjects answered according to the ethical behaviour of a responsible citizen while in reality they did not abide by the TRAI ethics. REFERENCES:- Castells Manuel, Fernandez-Ardevol Mireia, Linchuan Qui Jack, and Sey Araba, (2007) Mobile Communication and Society: AGlobal Perspective The MIT Press. Ling, Rich, (2004), The Mobile Connection: The Cell Phone's Impact on Society, Morgan Kaufman Publishers. Dr. Rebello Jagdish, (2010), In an excerpt 'isuppli: 97 percent Indian population would have a mobile phone by 2014 in India Weekly Telecom News. Wilson Nick, Thomson George, Starkey Nicola, Charlton Samuel, (2013), Persisting mobile phone use while driving and possible solutions for New Zealand The New Zealand Medical Journal, Volume 126 Number Nasar Jack, Hecht Peter and Wener Richard (2007), Call if You Have Trouble': Mobile Phones and Safety among College Students International Journal of Urban and Regional Research Volume 31, Issue. Lipscomb, Totten, Cook, and Lesch (2007), Cellular phone etiquette among college students International Journal of Consumer Studies 33