Our smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. Being without them for a couple of hours or perhaps even a single day can cause high levels of frustration and fear, with several people confessing they wouldn’t last a day without their phones. Computer and internet addiction has soared to new heights through smartphones, as an addict no longer needs to be chained to his desk. The term Nomophobia refers to the fear of being without your phone. For some addicts, this experience can be as stressful as a trip to the dentist or even their wedding day.
By 2015, it’s been estimated that 2 billion mobile phone users would be on smartphones and 85% of total Internet usage would be recorded on Smartphone. In this infographic from FrontRange, the company surveyed 800+ people and managed to convince seven people to give up their smartphone for a week and record how they felt. The results reveal that phone addiction is real, but there are also ways to reverse it.
- Forty-four percent of people said they would give up their phone for a week if they were paid more than $100. A further 19% declared they would need more than $500.
- 71% of respondents know a friend or family member who might be addicted to his smartphone.
- 36% of users confirmed their concerns about their addiction.
- 92 instances of mild frustration were reported among smartphone specific users.
- Unable to use their phone for calling or texting caused 79% more instances of anxiety. This suggests the need to stay in touch, was still more important than apps.
- When participants were asked to record their inconvenience level, it was found that income and anxiety levels had not changed much before and after the experiment. The inconvenience peaked around midweek to 7 out of 10, but declined to 1.5 by the end of the week.
The study concluded that people have become so connected to their phones, they truly fear losing them. Unable to make simple calls or texts caused more anxiety, than not being able to use features like maps and web search. The plus point was several users reported benefits from their phones being inaccessible, giving them more time to focus on other things. If you find yourself addicted to your smartphone, a digital detox might be in order.
