Are you a Smartphone addict?

Getting high on information and communication! The need to be connected. 

Very recently, OfCom produced survey results on the usage of Smartphones.

Inextricably linked to social media, information sharing, instant messaging and a fear of missing out (FOMO), it is widely acknowledged that Smartphones are taking over people’s lives. We look at how extensive Smartphone usage can have a negative impact on your life.

Professional

The Smartphone has become a valuable tool in the work place for those who are on the move and like to keep in touch. With the amount of useful apps available now businesses can run even more smoothly. However, when an individual is not at work, the pressure to respond to emails or phone calls is immense, as people are motivated to keep on top of information and are also aware of the negative impression that can result from not responding to an email or call.

Do you answer a call in a meeting? Is this acceptable? Do you respect someone more if they chose NOT to answer a call when you are in the middle of a story or a meeting? Do you benefit from a holiday when you have your Smartphone with you? Is a holiday a holiday with your Smartphone? Is it time you took a Smartphone holiday?

Personal

From a Lifestyle point of you, heavy reliance on your Smartphone can have a negative impact. The use of Smartphones in social and domestic occasions often raises concerns.

How do we use our brains now? How many times have you wanted to know answer to something and simply checked your Smartphone? How much of our brain do we not use anymore?

How many times are you out with friends and you look around to see everyone on their iPhones? – texting, on a social media site or simply chatting to someone? How has this become acceptable? Why is the moment not enough? Why is the grass always greener, is FOMO Syndrome taking over? Is this resonant throughout our society? Have we forgotten how to enjoy the moment without telling everyone about it?

Communication channels

The emergence of multiple communication channels has necessitated a need for people to be constantly ‘available’. The Smartphone has further increased this. Why do we have to be constantly available? What happened to the leaving a message and returning it when you were finished what you were doing?  News can come in at very inappropriate times, unnecessarily and your Smartphone somehow controls this.

As a nation that thrives on instant gratification and a dependency on access to people, knowledge and a constant flow of communication, is it not time that we realised the need for some TTO? (Technology Time Out) and get our endorphin fix from a healthier source? Why not pull off the information ‘high’ way and take the country roads for a change – take a map with you.

If you feel your Smartphone addiction has become out of control, contact our help line and we will offer some handy hints:

addicted@abica.co.uk

 All queries will remain anonymous.

New acronyms to look out for! See AbicaPedia

TTO (Technology Time Out)

IDD (Information deprivation disorder)

FOMO  (Fear of Missing Out Syndrome)