The Importance Of Mobile Phones

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From the previous studies, they found that mobile phone provided direct contact and strengthen relationships with family members (Chen & Katz, 2009; Wei & Lo, 2006). This similar to the studies of Park, Kim, Shon and Sim (2013), which mentioned that the motivations for smart phone usage was positive related to bonding relations. People always use mobile phones to share experience, obtain support from their family members, and help to fulfill family caring roles. Therefore, they believe that using a mobile phone can generate trust and enhance parent-child relations.
Similarity to the study of Ling (2008), which emphasized that mobile phones are particular beneficial for these strong ties, typically are family and close friends. This is because mobile phones help them to sustain regular contact and close bonds. By having such connection, it would in turn as the resources of support in times of need. In contrast, there is less evidence shows that mobile phones are related to “bridging social capital” as it would be unusual for a person to call an acquaintance, such as colleague, on a regular basis for social purposes (Michael, 2013).
In examining the addictive nature of the mobile phone, study of Leung (2008) showed that a higher level of social capital with friends is related to addictive use of the mobile phone. This may suggest that people see mobile phones as a symbol of individuality which helps them in social networking and expresses their identity in a ubiquitous way