Mobile Phones: Sick of Your Phone yet? The Infectiousness of Mobile Phone Usage During the Pandemic and the Generational Divide.

This article examines the role of mobile phones during the COVID-19 pandemic and the inequalities that arise from their use. It discusses how mobile phones have become essential for communication, accessing information, and managing the pandemic through contact-tracing apps. The article also explores the influence of large technology companies in promoting digitalization and monetizing increased mobile phone usage. It highlights the disparities in access and proficiency among different age groups, particularly older adults who face barriers in using smartphones due to age-related health decline. The article suggests that businesses have overlooked older adults, widening digital inequality, but there is an opportunity for companies to develop accessible applications and products tailored to their needs. Additionally, the article discusses the adverse effects of excessive mobile phone usage on young people's mental health and the influence of neoliberalism in marketing digital media to younger generations. The research indicates that smartphone dependence and digital disparities will continue to shape post-pandemic societies. [Extracted from the article]