1. #1
    Jan Roos
    Jan Roos is offline
    Junior Member

    Location
    CA
    Posts
    6 - liked 1 times
    Follow Jan Roos On Twitter
    Experts Believe Cell phone Addicction is Getting as Bad as Drugs and Alcohol Addiction.
    Call us the never-off society.

    We tote our iPhones, LGs and BlackBerrys with us so we can
    contact anyone, anywhere, any time--and so we can be reached
    instantly. According to a recent Pew Internet & American Life
    Project survey, 51% of those polled said it would be very hard to
    give up their cellphones, up from 38% in 2002. The cellphone, in
    fact, was the most coveted technology in the survey, ahead of
    Internet access and television.

    In Pictures: Are You A Connection Junkie?
    Video: Confessions of an Uber-Connected Gal

    But have mobile devices become too much of a good thing? While
    they provide constant access to people and information, they also
    make us more anxious and demanding. There's no excuse anymore for
    missing a call, e-mail or text message. "If you don't pick up a
    girl's phone call and you're dating her--my god, expect to buy
    flowers for her," says Shaun Mehtani, a restaurateur in
    Morristown, N.J.

    And a network glitch can wreck your entire day. "When you're
    having a text conversation and the service drops, it's like your
    whole world has ended," says Megan Young, a graduate student at
    Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

    These aren't the frustrations of an isolated few, but of the
    mobile majority. Our phones have become such a big part of how
    we're able to function that it begs the question: Are we addicted
    to our cells?

    Experts say constant use of mobile devices hasn't been diagnosed
    as an addiction--yet. But some contend that it's fast on its way
    to being classified as a disease similar to drug addiction,
    alcoholism or gambling.

    David Greenfield, a psychologist who is an expert on Internet-
    related behaviors, says he predicted a decade ago that people
    would become ultra-dependent on mobile devices, even more than
    they are on PCs and laptops. Since phones don't weigh much and
    fit easily into a pocket or a purse, "the threshold is even
    easier to cross, and there's no end to it," Greenfield says.
    "You're pretty much hooked in wherever you are, if you want to
    be."

    Greenfield says constant and continual use of untethered devices
    produces chemical responses in the body similar to gambling. When
    compulsive gamblers win a hand, they are motivated to keep
    playing till they win again--no matter how much they lose in
    between.

    It's the same with mobile texting and e-mailing, he says. "Every
    once in a while you'll get a good [text message or e-mail]
    between Viagra ads and Uganda money schemes," Greenfield says.
    "That's a hit, and it's a powerful reinforcer."

    Others, however, aren't convinced that high-usage of mobile
    devices is an addiction or even detrimental to most people's
    quality of life, if kept in check. "I believe [dependency]
    happens, but the extent to which it plays a harmful role in your
    life, that is another matter," says Scott W. Campbell, an
    assistant professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, who
    studies cellphone behaviors. "I don't think it's as harmful as
    substances or [that it] needs treatment," he says.

    Campbell, however, notes that mobile devices were first seen as a
    convenience for accessing people and data without having to be
    indoors and only when absolutely necessary. Now, they've morphed
    into on-call pagers and mini laptops full of digital content.
    "The technology has come to own many of us," he admits.

    To avoid feeling stressed, set limits on usage, experts say. John
    Horrigan, associate director of Pew's Internet project, says
    limits vary greatly by temperament and age. Younger people who
    grew up with wireless technologies tend to have a higher
    threshold for dealing with all the calls, e-mails and texts
    clogging their phones, while older people tend to feel annoyed
    and distracted by them.

    And if you think you have cellphone overload now, you ain't seen
    nothin' yet. Experts say usage will only increase as smart phones
    become more sophisticated and powerful, likely replacing laptops
    in the future.

    The growth in cellphone service subscribers and revenues support
    the trend. In just two years, the number of subscribers in the
    U.S. increased eight-fold to 225 million, or 84% of the
    population, in 2007 from 34 million, or 13%, in 2005, according
    to wireless industry association CTIA. Meanwhile, industry
    revenues soared to $139 billion from $19 billion. Worldwide, 3
    billion people have mobile service.

    Despite the inexorable mobile tide, Greenfield says there's
    little clinical evidence that the devices improve quality of
    life. Mehtani agrees that his iPhone hasn't made him happier--but
    it has improved his business, he asserts.

    "I wouldn't say it's made my life better. It's made my life
    efficient," he says. "When my employees are communicating with
    each other, I'm cc'd so I don't have to be briefed."

    So are you addicted to your cell phone?


    See More: Are You addicted to your cell phone?




  2. #2
    aepple
    aepple is offline
    Phone Expert
    aepple's Avatar

    Cell Phone
    Apple iPhone 4 16GB Black
    Carrier
    Verizon Wireless
    Location
    NYC/NJ AREA
    Posts
    1,050 - liked 107 times
    Blog Entries
    94

    Re: Are You addicted to your cell phone?

    ok...yes...yes...yes... i admit it, i have a cell phone addiction...lol

    Cell phone have become such a part of everyday life, and with the new text message movement has replaced of your parents email, cell phones keep the world touch today both in private and business. Cell phone has replace the automobile as a necessity, if your car breaks down, you can get to work with a friend, take a bus, borrow a car, rent a car, if your cell goes down, your dead. There goes your connection to everything and everyone you know, even if you borrow a phone you have no contact list, and just think if someone tries to get in touch with you, oh the horror.

    Then again there's some people who couldn't care less and hardly use their cell or don't even own a cell phone. Imagine living in that world... lol

    .http://cellphoneforums.net/blogs/aepple/
    .
    thee iPhone 6



  3. #3
    cravehelper
    cravehelper is offline
    Junior Member

    Posts
    26

    Re: Are You addicted to your cell phone?

    Hi,

    In short, I am addicted, especially to sending messages, jokes all the time. I also keep trying new mobiles and new softwares all the time. It is an endless crave. But it is not like any other addiction. This can be easily get rid of.
    Cravehelper



  • Similar Threads







  • Quick Reply Quick Reply

    If you are already a member, please login above.