Social Impacts of Mobile Phones on the Life of the Chinese People

Abstract

With the introduction of mobile phones to the Chinese society in the early 1990s, there has been a great impact on the lives of ordinary Chinese people. Mobile phones have increased the convenience they have in their daily lives and more people are able to establish and expand their communicational links with others beyond their geographical locations. This is especially true since the introduction of text messaging and WeChat. The development of mobile phones has significantly helped the Chinese advance their views in the process of globalization. However, mobile phone technology has greatly reduced the traditional Chinese methods of face-to-face social interactions within families, neighborhoods, and communities. The social impacts and changes brought about by mobile phones need to be analyzed and evaluated. This article introduces the current situation of mobile phones in China from a sociological perspective. It discusses both positive and negative social impacts of mobile phones on the lives of the Chinese people.