Are Phones getting too addictive?
Phones have been an important part of our everyday lives since the first smartphone came out in the year 2000. People use phones for work, news, games, or social media to make assignments faster or check up on other peoples lives. Sometimes we ask ourselves if we are on our phone for too long or are we addicted to our phones?
A smartphone addiction also known as nomophobia (fear of being without a mobile phone) is an internet overuse problem or internet addiction disorder. It is not even the phone itself that is addictive, they are games, apps, and the online world that takes place in the phone. Smartphone addiction can cause problems with real relationships, online compulsion, and information overload.
Some of the general warning signs of a smartphone addiction are:
- Trouble completing tasks at work or home
- Isolation from family and friends
- Concealing your smartphone use
- Having a fear of missing out
- Feeling of dread or anxiety if you leave your smartphone at home or the battery is low
If someone does have a smartphone addiction, they can have a lot of negatively impact on your life. It can increase loneliness and depression when being on social media and showing peers their feeling about a personal subject. It starts to increase anxiety form seeing a phone at work or in public that affect tasks and can become very stressful. Excessive use of the smartphone can disturb them from sleeping that effects their mental health. It influences memory, clear thinking , and even reduce learning skills.
Here is a test to see if you have a smartphone addiction.
If they want to quit there are some treatments to help with smartphone addiction. They can go to a cognitive-behavioral therapist that gives them a step-by-step way to stop compulsive behaviors about the smartphone or go to organizations like Internet & Tech Addiction Anonymous (ITAA) to have a face-to-face meeting about excessive technology use.
If a teenager has a smartphone addiction, parents can help by:
- Being a good role model
- Use app monitors and limit their child’s smartphone use
- Create “phone-free” zones
- Encourage other interests and social activities
- Get help from a professional
This type of addiction is real and takes place with both the younger generation and the older. IF you think someone is struggling with this addiction please get them help by contacting Internet & Tech Addiction Anonymous.
