The growing use and popularity of mobile phones and other portable communications devices has contributed to the phenomenon of text and instant messaging that is rapidly replacing voice calls and face-to-face conversations. Prinz et al (2001:119) note the significant reduction in the number of telephone calls made even on special occasions such as Christmas and other public holidays. Although mobile communication devices have made international and intercontinental communications cheap, fast and convenient, they have also contributed negatively to human interaction and relationship maintenance. In this essay, I will discuss the positive and negative effects that cell phones and other portable communication devices have had on human interaction and relationships. I will use more negative effects than positive ones to show that, despite the benefits, they did more damage than good. Mobile devices have made it easier than ever to connect with family and friends, wherever they are. Nowadays there are mobile apps, websites, etc. which allow free and easy communication between two locations in the world. The convenience provided by these features has allowed people to no longer worry about making expensive long distance phone calls or purchasing tickets to visit their loved ones, as virtually all news can be conveyed using portable devices. These wearable devices not only allow people to stay in touch with their current friends, but also make new friends and expand their social circle with virtually no effort on the part of either party ( O'Keeffe, GS, Clarke-Pearson, K. & Council on Communications & Media, 2011: 801). According to Lenhart et al (2010: 4), 21% of adolescents who do not otherwise go online access the Internet in the middle of 'a sheet......to avoid abuse and other negative effects. Works Cited Bamford, A. (2004). Cyberbullying. AHISA National Pastoral Conference, Melbourne. Australia, September 2004: 1-7Chóliz, M. (2010). Cell phone addiction: a problem area. Addiction, 105(2): 374-375Lenhart, A., Ling, R., Campbell, S. and Purcell, K. (2010). Teenagers and cell phones. Washington, DC: Pew Internet & American Life Project, [Online]. Available at www.pewinternet.com [Last accessed November 2, 2012]O'Keeffe, GS, Clarke-Pearson, K. and Council on Communications & Media (2011). The impact of social media on children, adolescents and families. Pediatrics, 127(4): 800-804Prinz, W., Jarke, M., Rogers, Y., Schmidt, K. and Wulf, V. (2001). and is tngrs luv 2 txt msg? Proceedings of the Seventh European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, September 2001, Bonn, Germany: 219-238