Mobile Phone Addiction:
Enslavement in the 21st Century?
--
Handcuffs have always been associated with the idea of restraint and enclosure. As such, this picture paints a powerful image of enslavement to our mobile devices — a metonymic code for being entirely controlled by, or a slave to; either by way of speech or taken at its literal meaning.
This image highlights a critical issue in modern society — growing mobile addiction. It appeals to logic by reason (logos) that mobile addiction has reached the point where it can be associated with the idea of imprisonment and still remain relatable to its audience (evidence of phenomenon). By way of habituation, many of us have become so accustomed to seeing people all around on their mobile phones that our minds don’t consciously recognise that fact anymore- though we are aware that a problem does exist at its very core.
The image also portrays a sense of naiveness - the hands appeared to be engaged in some kind of mobile activity. It seeks to move people through emotional response that if you don’t become aware of this soon, this is what you and the world will become — slaves to your mobile devices. In today’s context, this picture is more relevant than before.
Stop Phubbing
“The act of snubbing someone in a social setting by looking at your phone instead of paying attention.”
The “Stop Phubbing” campaign went viral in 2013, addressing phubbing as a distinctive 21st century problem. The campaign was largely effective due to:
- Statistics (logos)
People generally trust things more when there are figures attached. Statements like “87% of teens… rather communicate via text…” were made on its website. While we doubt these figures to be accurate, we know for a fact that the prevailing idea behind them remains significant, and this is sufficient. The website also had a very cohesive overall theme — making visitors more inclined to participate readily.
2. Humour (pathos)
People remember and appreciate things better when they laugh — and that creates an emotional connection. Many materials found on the Stop Phubbing website and Facebook page evoke emotions such as joy and surprise, which in turn triggers secondary emotions such as interest, calmness and friendship. When people are happy, they are more likely to be attentive and stay on to find out more (about the message and clause). These materials are often presented in a manner that appeals to the logical mode, and are thus more readily accepted.
3. But above all, the campaign probably worked because we know that phubbing is real.
