In her article, “Cell Phones Designed to Save Lives”, Elizabeth Woyke writes of the benefits associated with the use of cell phones, especially in emergency or crisis situations. In California, there are many natural disasters that occur, including fierce storms and surprise earthquakes. In these situations, text message alerts from the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services are sent via cell phone to masses of people in order to warn them of the disaster. Cell phones have functioned as emergency calling for a long time, but technology today has increased its benefits. Cell phones are becoming “genuine safety devices”. With its unique functions, including flashlights, heart monitors, global positioning data transmitters and message warnings, the cell phone can save lives. Even the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working to use the cell phone to their nationwide safety advantage. The FCC is developing a mobile alert system to distribute national emergency, local emergency, and child abduction alerts across the country. These efforts work to create a public safety communications network on the radio spectrum. While this is still developing, companies and organizations are making their own mobile safety networks, including the Crime Stoppers USA. This program allows anyone who spots something suspicious, whether it be a drug deal or a robbery, to send a crime tip to the police via text message. Mobile phones can even help when the user is injured or incapacitated. Services can log the locations of cell phones in order to send help and information about the crash. Cellular devices do pose threats, but advocates and many local governments agree “that mobile safety functions are getting smarter” and are able to save many lives.
Source:
Woyke, Elizabeth. "Cell Phones Designed to Save Lives." Forbes on MSNBC. N.p.,13 May 2008. Web. 16 Jan. 2011. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24489812/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/>.
No comments:
Post a Comment