POTENTIAL HALACHIC PROBLEMS

There are a few potential issurei derabanon that may occur when using a smartphone on Shabbos. Such issurim may include:

Writing: Typing creates a few problems. The most serious being the melacha of kosaiv, as when one types it appears on the screen and this may be considered a form of kesiva. Additionally, typing on Shabbos the same way to type during the week is a problem of “ uvdah d’chol”. Last, text that is typed remains as data on the phones hard drive and is theoretically permanently “written” on the hard drive as data (until it is removed) – this is a potential issur derabanon of writing ( Kosaiv) according to some Poskim.

Sounds: Sounds are made when a user notifies or is notified of new messages, watches videos, listens to songs, etc. This is a potential issur derabanon of making noise ( Hashma’as Kol) which is assur.

Screen: Turning the screen on and off may be similar to turning a non-incandescent lamp on and off – this can be an issur derabanon of making a fire Mavir or Molid and possibly Boneh, Soser and Makeh bepatish.

Misuse: On Shabbos, one may not engage in any business and weekday-like activity such as business emails, stock quotes, shopping, etc.