MOBILE Addiction : A SILENT KILLER

Mobile Addiction : A Silent Killer

Is it…?? Are we really consuming a daily dose of Digital Poison..? Sticking to cellphones in London Tubes or Delhi Metro, or even in any below such situations or any where abouts. We see the below daily:

1. Peeping into your own or others cellphones while in transit in Metro trains, rails, London Tubes.
2. When you take your infants to the park for a fresh air, but you keep an eye on your cellphone ONLY, no matter what happens to the kid.
3. When you DINE, but all is not FINE, and MOBILE takes a PRIORITY.
4. When in toilet, you take your BEST Friend with you in the toilet, that’s your CELLPHONE, waaoo….
5. When cross the road, peeping into mobile, even there goes a risk of accidents.

What is Mobile or Cellphone addiction?

While a smartphone, tablet, or computer can be a highly productive tool, compulsive use of these devices can interfere with your work, school, and relationships. When you spend more time on social media or playing games than you do interacting with real people, or you can’t stop yourself from repeatedly checking texts, emails, or apps—even when it has negative consequences in your life—it may be time to reassess your technology use.

Smartphone addiction, sometimes colloquially known as “nomophobia” (fear of being without a mobile phone), is often fueled by an internet overuse problem or internet addiction disorder. After all, it’s rarely the phone or tablet itself that creates the compulsion, but rather the games, apps, and online worlds it connects us to.

Smartphone addiction can encompass a variety of impulse-control problems, including:

Virtual relationships. Addiction to social media, dating apps, texting, and messaging can extend to the point where virtual, online friends become more important than real-life relationships. We’ve all seen the couples sitting together in a restaurant ignoring each other and engaging with their smartphones instead. While the internet can be a great place to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, or even start romantic relationships, online relationships are not a healthy substitute for real-life interactions.

Information overload. Compulsive web surfing, watching videos, playing games, or checking news feeds can lead to lower productivity at work or school and isolate you for hours at a time. Compulsive use of the internet and smartphone apps can cause you to neglect other aspects of your life, from real-world relationships to hobbies and social pursuits.

What if you spend too much time on your cellphone? See the video below, credits to Learning Junction on Youtube:

Link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3toTucBkuI

Smartphone Addiction Facts

Although cell phones allow individuals to have unlimited access to information and to connect with others in a way otherwise thought impossible, there are many harmful and disturbing effects of smartphone dependence. Cell phone addiction, sometimes referred to as problematic mobile phone use, is a behavioral addiction thought to be similar to that of any diseased addiction digitally and leads to severe impairment or distress in one’s life.

Below are some more statistics associated with smartphone use:

• 60% of U.S. college students consider themselves to have a cell phone addiction.
• 71% of people sleep with or next to their cell phones.
• 35% of people think of their cell phones when they wake up while only 10% of people think of their significant others.
• 44% of 18-24 year olds have fallen asleep with their phone in their hand.
• 36% of people check their phones constantly, while 54% of young adults are checking constantly.
• Nearly 40% of people never disconnect from cell phones, even while on vacation .
• 44% of Americans say they couldn’t go a day without their mobile devices.

Some major signs and symptoms of smartphone addiction include:

• Tolerance.
• Withdrawal.
• Failed attempts to cut back on smartphone use.
• Loses track of time when using mobile phone.
• Uses cell phone in order to deal with unwanted emotions.
• Text neck.
• Digital eye strain.

Negative Effects Of Phone Addiction

Chronic phone use is a recently developed form of addiction. The American Psychiatric Association does not officially recognize the condition. Still, it is acknowledged as a behavioral addiction by many medical professionals and researchers worldwide. According to several studies, over time, the devoted use of smartphones can alter and negatively impact an individual much like gambling.

Phone addiction may lead to:

Teens and Cell Phone Addiction

Teens are extremely vulnerable to developing a cell phone addiction. The human brain isn’t fully developed until about 25 years of age. Adolescents who become dependent on their smartphones could experience negative alterations in brain development.

• There is decreased brain connectivity in teens who suffer from a cell phone addiction.⁵
• Problems in the parts of the brain that are responsible for decision-making, impulse-control, and emotional regulation.
• Teens with a smartphone addiction are more likely to drink alcohol, use tobacco, and have poor diets.
• These teens may experience social isolation due to excessive cell phone use.

Suicide

It is important to note that there has also been a rise in depression and suicide among teenagers in recent years correlated to phone addiction. Adolescent girls are particularly susceptible to the risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2010-2015, the suicide rate rose by 65%. At the same time, the rate of severe depression among girls increased by 58%. Many researchers believe the rise in suicides is a direct reflection of the negative effects of phone addiction.

Below are a few ways to discern if someone has signs and symptoms of a phone addiction: