The wide accessibility of the internet and the ubiquity of smartphones has made it easier to access information about anything, from anywhere, and at any time.
In one click, or two, you can get information on what is happening several thousand kilometers away. This has made the smartphone even more desirable. Worse, it has created a kind of attachment to a communication device, unlike the world has seen before.
Today, nearly 90% of Americans own a smartphone. With every information on the tip of fingers, they are constantly on their phone scrolling - googling stuff, reading the news, drooling over Instagram images, watching viral short videos on Tik Tok, and making new connections on Facebook. This despite having other important things to do.
It’s not just young people. The older generation doesn’t seem able to put their phones down too. A study showed that 67% of smartphone users admitted to checking their phone for any notification even if it did not make any sound or vibration.
The study, conducted by the University of Derby, found that 1 in 8 people is addicted to their mobile devices.
Though phone addiction has not been classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) yet, some researchers consider it similar to gambling addiction.
So what are the signs of mobile phone addiction? The following are signs that may point to a cellphone addiction:
Mobile addiction has both physical and psychological effects. These effects can be permanent and difficult to manage sometimes.
Here are some of the physical effects of a mobile phone addiction:
mobile phone addiction has physical as well as psychological effects. The two are equally dangerous. Here are the psychological effects of excessive cellphone use:
If you have any of the symptoms we have discussed, do not panic. Few tips may help you to de-addict yourself from your cell phone. Before you sleep, have a strong determination not to use a cell phone as soon as you wake up. You can even keep your phone away from your bed. Use your cell phone only for important activities. Before you pick up the cell phone, ask yourself if you really have to use it. If not, divert your attention to something else. You can take a few deep breaths, take a walk, listen to music or chat with a friend. If you have serious trouble, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and to explore treatment strategies for the condition.