The term “problems with mobile phone use” and “mobile phone addiction” are used interchangeably to describe the same phenomenon. This is when people become so engrossed with their smartphones that they neglect other aspects of life. This type of addiction is most often described by “mobile phone addiction” or “Smartphone addiction” in recent years.
Young people are so ingrained in mobile phone usage that they have symptoms of behavior addiction. This includes cell phone use interrupting their daily activities. This paper focuses on some aspects of Smart phone addiction in adolescents. The article will also explain how to measure the Adolescent’s smart phone addiction, what the emotional and physical consequences are for Adolescents who use smart phones, and what the adolescents do when they interfere with smart phone use. More people are turning to mobile phones than fixed telephones. Many people today rely on the cell phone as a lifeline. The cell phone is used by approximately 4.5 billion people worldwide. It’s no surprise, then, that the majority of these users are young people. For them, the cell phone is more of an essential tool than a luxury.
Here are some signs and symptoms of smartphone addiction:
Smartphone addiction can be characterized by: Withdrawal, tolerance, failure to reduce smartphone use, loss of track of time, using a mobile phone to communicate with loved ones, text neck, digital eye strain.
Smartphones are the most popular technological gadget. However, newer generation smartphones offer more functions than just calling. They can also play music, internet access, and other functions such as camera functions, music player, and computer games. It is evident that young people spend more time on their smartphones every day. However, there are not many studies in Hungary about the exact usage of smartphones.
Smartphones are a popular technological device that can process more information than other phones. They also have many properties, including navigation and internet access. Smartphone use has increased rapidly and is estimated to have reached more than 1.08 Billion people in 2012.
Smartphone addiction could be similar to cell phone and internet addiction. According to reports, Smartphone addiction rates are 8.40%.
The effects of smartphone addiction
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- The Physical Health Impacts:
Some evidence supports the assertion that excessive use of mobile phones can lead to or worsening health problems. Because germs can be found everywhere, and because people use their phones in different places and situations, it is very easy for germs to spread from one place to the next. One in six cell phones infected with fecal matter was found by Queen Mary’s London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in 2011. Further inspection revealed that some phones contaminated with fecal matter also contained lethal bacteria like E.coli. This can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
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- Psychological Health Impacts:
Some mobile phone users may be in debt and mobile phones could be used to harass and violate the privacy of others. There is growing evidence that children are using mobile phones to bully others.
Research has been extensive on mobile phone usage and its effects on psychological and social communication. Mobile phone users can experience stress, sleep disturbances, and depression symptoms, particularly in young adults.
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- An increase in loneliness and depression
It may seem like you can temporarily forget about loneliness, depression, or boredom by using social media, but it can make your feelings worse. One 2014 study showed a link between social media use and depression and anxiety. Teens, in particular, are more likely to compare their lives with others on social media. This can lead to feelings of depression and loneliness.
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- Anxiety:
A researcher discovered that people who have a smartphone in their work environment can become more anxious and do poorly at certain tasks. Anxiety is greater for those who are heavier than others.
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- Stress is increasing
Smartphones can be a distraction from your personal and professional life. The pressure to be always connected with work is constant. This constant need to respond to emails can lead to increased stress levels and even burnout. Exacerbating attention deficit disorders.
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- Disturbing your sleep:
An excessive use of smartphones can disrupt your sleep and have serious consequences for your mental health. It can affect your memory, reduce your ability to think clearly and decrease your cognitive and learning abilities.
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- Encourage self-absorption
According to a UK study, people who spend too much time on social media tend to exhibit negative personality traits like narcissism. Snapping endless photos and sharing all of your thoughts and details can lead to an unhealthy self-centeredness that makes it difficult to deal with stress.
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- The Social Health Impacts:
From a scientific standpoint, there is a huge impact of the mobile telephone on modern society. Lisa Merlo, a clinical psychologist, says that some patients pretend to use the phone or to play with apps in order to avoid eye contact at parties.
Gazelle conducted a survey and found that more than 25% of respondents said they almost always use their smartphone while socializing, such as at a dinner or party. 58% of respondents also said that they use their smartphone ‘occasionally’ or ‘usually’ in these situations.
- 70% of people check their phones within one hour of getting up in the morning.
- 56% of respondents check their phones before they go to bed
- 48% of people check their phones on weekends
- 51% of Americans check their phones while on vacation
- 44% said they would feel anxious and irritable, if their phones were not used within the week.
Sherry Turkle also observed this shift in conversation style, from face-to–face to text-based. Sherry Turkle’s research cites connectivity in her analysis of social behavior change. Therefore, this adaptation to communicating is not caused by the phone itself.
- Your ability to focus, think deeply and creatively is affected.
Your smartphone’s constant buzz, ping, or beep can distract you from your important tasks, slow down your work, and disrupt those quiet moments that are essential to problem solving and creativity. We are no longer isolated from our thoughts. Instead, we are always connected and online.
Each new piece of technology can be both a blessing and a curse. While mobile phones have brought people closer, and allowed anyone to access the internet, and engage in educational, recreational, and social activities, unrestricted usage can lead to dependence. Mobile phones and smart phones can lead to addiction or dependence. This can cause a variety of physical, mental, and social health problems. These people show signs of impaired functioning, either due to or in the absence of mobile phones. This is a clear indication that technology is being misused. We as psychologists and citizens have a responsibility to make sure we don’t become dependent on mobile phones. Also, to help people who are already suffering from addiction or dependence to the device and to harness its potential to achieve their full potential. After the study, the researcher offered some suggestions to adolescents on how to deal with mobile phone addictionsmartphone addiction in their lives.