What are the implications of using a phone with a cracked screen?
In the days of Nokia 3310, dropping your phone was no big deal. You pick it up, dust it off, and put it back in your pocket.
These days, however, dropping your smartphone gives you that mini heart attack because (gasp!) you just might crack its sleek and shiny screen.
The smartphone display is typically made of glass or acrylic, which can break when you drop your device or if it receives significant impact. But, apart from the obvious aesthetic reasons that turns people off from a cracked smartphone screens, there are other functional, productivity and even health related issues that can arise when you use a damaged screen.
In fact, tech giant Samsung, explicitly indicated in its Health and Safety Warranty Guide that smartphones users should stop using the device if the screen is broken or cracked because it could cause injury.
Here are some of the risks you take when you insist on using a cracked phone screen:
1. Touch Screen Malfunction
Phones with broken screens will not get any better over time. In fact, the first thing that will be compromised in terms of function is the touch screen capacity of your phone. It may take longer for your phone to respond to finger gestures, or worse, it will stop responding altogether.
Damaged phone screens are also susceptible to finger oils, dust and debris working their way inside the cracks, which can further damage the phone through time.
2. Loss of Protection
The screen protects the inner parts of device from outside elements that could potentially damage the device. For example, you would usually clean your phone’s screen with a damp cloth, but with a cracked screen, that’s no longer advisable. This is because liquid can seep through the cracks and causes the phone to short circuit.
Also, if you own one of the newer smartphones that is water-resistant, a cracked screen invalidates this functionality.
3. Splinters On Your Finger
With cracked phone screens, you put your fingers at risk from cuts when you try to swipe through it as per usual. If your phone screen has severe cracks, you could possibly hurt yourself with small glass splinters.
4. Eye Strain
Smartphones boast of high-definition display that gives a great user viewing experience. When this HD screen breaks, however, you will be left with an eyesore. It will be more difficult to look at the screen and view content because the cracked areas.
You will have to spend more time squinting your eyes to decipher the articles you are reading or the latest cooking videos you are watching on social media. A cracked screen makes checking your phone a more significant task that what it should be.
5. Road Hazard
Smartphones come equipped with GPS and maps to help users navigate through unfamiliar roads and neighborhoods. Often, they steal quick glances on their phone’s maps while they’re driving. A cracked screen makes this a more difficult task and would compel drivers to lose focus on the road ahead.
Broken screens forces drivers to take their eyes off the road for more than a few seconds when using the smartphone’s GPS, which could be a major hazard and safety risk.
6. Exposure to Harmful Radiation
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency from cellphones as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The American Cancer Society, further states that more investigation and research must be conducted to conclusively say that cell phone use poses no health risks to users. So, by default, smartphones are already giving off harmful radiation.
–> If a phone’s internal systems (a.k.a. the radiation source) are exposed through the screen cracks, there could be greater health risks for its users.
Conclusion
Using cracked phones screen is not only unsightly, but can also affect your productivity and overall well-being. Make sure you take necessary precautions like using protective cases to minimize the risk of gadget damage.
Do you know of other risks that comes with using broken smartphone screens? Share them in the comments below!
I cracked my phone screen really bad, i’m scared to charge it because i think it might blow up lol, any help?
We suggest you go to a phone fixing store, not much we can do for you on-line…
I have a samsung s7 with a badly cracked front screen and minor cracks on the back… ever since i dropped it i have been repeatedly sick when its close to me or on my person… sadly it costs 350$ AUD to fix it… this is rediculous that a phone company can charge so much to protect your health when they make products that arent durrable.
Please get yourself a new phone, as soon as.
Yeah I totally agree- I CANT imagine how much it would cost to fix my phone! Every time I touch it shards of glass come off!
Mike G ,
I cracked my screen two days ago. I notice that every time I use it now my hand tingles a lot. This happened Friday night and now I am beginning to get dizzy spells with the tingling. I’m getting a new phone tomorrow. It’s a shame that companies don’t have to warn you about the possible health hazards of using a cell phone that has a broken screen.
I cracked my tablet and its a big long crack can I use its still?
My daughter passed away from cancer and I need to know if the iPad caused it..
If anyone has a child with cancer that has been using an iPad,let me know.. I’m trying to conduct a study..We need answers and we need the Truth..apple won’t tell us.. hope I’m wrong..let m know.
My son is being haven dificult braiding he start coughing a lot lately I know is the broken phone that is making him so sick so be careful people out there
While the other dangers are correct, it is wrong to think that you will now be more exposed to radiation through the cracks. The thin glass screen hardly offered any attenuation of microwaves in any case. Secondly, most physicists beleive (not alarmists and some biologists though!) that cell phone radiations are completely harmless anyway.
Are these comments serious? You people think a few cracks on a phone are making you repeatedly sick or made your child die of cancer? NO! Besides the fact that smartphones are actually not to challenging to fix- I’ve repaired iPhone 4’s 5’s and 6’s by teaching myself. Your not getting strong doses of radiation now that your phones cracked (not that you were before anyway). Radiation would not be stopped by a few millimeters of glass, honestly people educate yourself, it’s terrifying to see how little common sense people have!
My Phone has a small crack, and now (couple hours later) A strong smell (like wet citrate ashes) are coming from it. PLEASE HELP, IDK WHAT TO DO!!!
Hi my s8 has screen, not only cracked by the from camera but also the corner has fallen out leaving a naked camera.. I’ve recently feeling sick and bad head ache.. is this possibly caused by using the phone, as the broken screen( naked) camera near the spk and is touching my ear when using phone.. if this is the case how serious. Health issues this can cause or just temporary
My phone screen is cracked but I’m afraid if I press on the cracks or even drop it, it will get worse. I don’t have any $ to fix it tho.
My phone has all these black blobs on it, is that safe????
My lg aristo 2 had a cracked screen and was repaired but the screen only lights up for a few seconds then turns off. Plz help me find a solution to this problem
I doubt the real reason for the cancer was the iPad. Cancer isn’t caused from being cut by shards of glass; it is not spreadable and is internal. Glass cannot carry cancer in it; the problem of the cancer was just a coincidence.
A little bit of the side of the screen are cracked what do i do