Effects of Unrestricted Mobile Phone Usage in Selected Public Places in Nigeria: A Case Study of Akure

The appalling rate of the adverse effects of the unrestricted use of mobile phones in public places and critical dimensions of how to forestall and checkmate the negative tendencies of using such in public places are closely assessed. In this study, the effects of unrestricted mobile phone usage in specifically selected public buildings in Akure, the capital of Ondo state, Nigeria were assessed in order to determine the integrity of the public mobile phone users. Data were collected from specific public places in Akure using questionnaire administration and oral interview. The places investigated were examination halls, banking halls and detention centers (police cell and prison yards). Enquiries were made on the prominent effects of the mobile phone usage on the public, and the feeling of the listeners. The data obtained were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistics based on percentages. The validation of the results was carried out using paired- t test to determine whether there is a significant difference between the reactions of public on the targeted effects of unrestricting mobile phone usage. The results of the analysis showed that there was variability in the degrees of adverse consequences of mobile phone usage in the places considered. Cheating took highest position in examination halls while the use of mobile phone greatly leads to threats, which eventually affected investigation at the police station. The analysis further showed that there is a significant difference on the effects of mobile phone usage in the respective public places investigated, where threatening effects played prominent role. This showed that a good device is required to checkmate indiscriminate use of mobile phone in public places to avoid public indiscipline.