My Phone Addiction is Killing Me
I advocate for global accessibility and communication all day, any day. Still, even good things require self-restraint and I’m learning that lesson the hard way.
What is Phone Addiction?
Phone addiction, sometimes called problematic smartphone use or smartphone addiction, is the idea that a smart mobile phone can create a psychological or behavioral dependency. It’s supposed to cultivate a lack of control or nomophobia which ignores financial, psychological, physical, and social repercussions. But it’s all dramatic parental hearsay. Right?
Originally, I saw phone addiction as a pseudo-scientific claim made by people who were emotionally averse to technology. I approached it with the same skepticism I held towards parent councils who tried to illegalize video game violence. Videogames and rap songs don’t automatically produce violent behaviors and constant phone use doesn’t indicate addiction. I still believe in these claims, though I’m starting to see phone addiction differently.
My Symptoms
Even using vocabulary like “symptoms” feels dramatic. Even so, I’m choosing to classify my experience, as writers do.
1. Opening, Closing, Reopening
As a digital content marketer, I frequent the same set of apps daily. A select few of those are also my off-work comfort apps, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. As such, I never questioned my urge to open and reopen the same apps hourly.
The phenomenon turned strange when I’d close and reopen the same app within 5 seconds. I’d browse the ‘for you page’ on TikTok for an hour, mentally decide to take a break, close the app, then reopen it on instinct. I didn’t restart it out of true boredom since I only closed it for a few seconds. Instead, a strange muscle memory had me open my social media apps continually. I’d even realize that the urge is strange, but never stop.
2. Ignoring Tension Headaches
This is the closest sign I have to distressing dependency. After continued overexposure to a digital screen, I get headaches. My eyes become sore and squinted while my front left section and the complete top of my head also hurts. I asked my optometrist for blue light glasses because the pain was unavoidable once all my college courses switched to Zoom classes in 2020 and 2021. Even now, I typically wear my blue light glasses because I consistently use my phone and computer during my work and free time.
Yet, the tension and overexposure headaches come back once I’ve stared at my phone for hours on end. And I still can’t bring myself to put my phone away, even as I convince myself that the headache won’t be as bad as last time. I remember one particular week that stands as an apt example of this issue. For 4 nights in a row, I’d go to bed with a headache from staring at screens all day. While I lay in bed, I’d continue using my phone and wincing.
3. Other Notable Mentions
- My hands felt unnaturally empty during the few occasions I wasn’t holding my phone.
- Taking and using my phone in every setting, which quickly transformed into 25-minute bathroom breaks.
My Hypothesis
So why? Why do I continue to overuse my phone to the point of physical pain? This article is by no means a formal scientific conjecture or research paper. I am not a scientist. However, I do enjoy analyzing the everyday influences of media on my professional and personal life. In this case, I theorize that the heady nature of short-form content is addicting.
Sitcoms require you to pay attention to a single episode’s plot for 15 to 35 minutes on average. A movie or drama show requires sustained attention for longer periods. Meanwhile, the new wave of short-form video entertains or informs with much less screen time. IG reels, TikTok posts, Twitter clips, and more are typically under 1 minute. Even YouTube, a platform historically dedicated to 5+ minute videos, has introduced and promoted the 30 seconds or less Shorts section.
These short forms grab your attention and reach their climax in less than a quarter of the time used by traditional media. Why would I pay attention to 40 minutes and a possible cliffhanger when I’m being introduced to new ideas and content every 40 seconds? How could I put my phone down when my attention is reinvested into my phone every minute?
Real-Life Implications
As theorized by many research groups, the average human’s attention span is slowly shrinking. The fast-paced gratification of short films has played into this. By no means do I blame TikTok or other platforms for my pain-inducing issues. However, my dependency relies on their easy access. That access has manifested into empty hand fears, constant distraction, strained eyes, and headaches. My rule now is to begin shortening my screen time and working on impulse control so I don’t open my phone due to muscle memory. Still, it leaves with the question: was I about to become a cellphone addict?
Thanks so much for reading! This blog post is different than my usual love or mental wellness niche, so I appreciate your time and attention! If you enjoyed this article, consider following my profile, perusing this publication, or leaving a tip. Have a lovely day!
