Nomophobia
Nomophobia: yes, there is now a word to describe cell phone addiction, or more specifically the feeling of anxiety we experience when we have no access to technology. We have all experienced that feeling of terror when we can’t feel our phones in our pockets or can’t find it in our bags. Our obsession with technology has progressed to the point where many people will take their phones with them to the toilet, and leave it on the bathroom counter while they’re in the shower.
Not only is it unhealthy for us to not be able to function without technology (some medical definitions even deem this a disability), our need to be constantly connected also impacts upon our ability to socialise and interact with others. The notion of “phubbing” (snubbing someone you are with by looking at your phone rather than paying attention) occurs so often that it is almost expected that you and your friend will have your phones on the table at coffee, or that a student will have his phone out on the table in class. I’m sure we have all noticed the token couple that seems to pop up in all restaurants nowadays, who are both busy typing away on their individual phones rather than interacting with each other.
Our obsession with technology is negatively impacting our lives not only socially, but also academically. Too often we zone out of a lecture because we are scrolling down the news feed on Facebook or texting a friend, only to zone back in and realise you’ve missed ten minutes of content. Although technology provides us with many uses and much entertainment, we need to learn to take a step back and disconnect every once in a while, if for no other reason than to reassure ourselves that there is a life beyond the screen!
