Are you a Nomophobe?

Mobile phone addiction, “the newest cigarette” in the world, has perplexed many people’s life quality and the relationship with others. The "I-must-have-my-phone-with-me-at-all-times" mindset has become such a real problem, there's now a name coined for the fear of being without your phone: “Nomophobia” as in no- mo(bile) phone-phobia, that rush of anxiety and fear when you realize you are disconnected- out of the loop with friends, family, work and the world. 

Smartphones have changed almost beyond recognition in recent years. Thanks to smartphones that the users are now constantly plugged-in to the web at all times bringing the world closer to a truly networked society. This is further helping to develop the information society and making ones work far easier. Regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, career or economic status, one owes a smartphone for sure. As per the researches 86 per cent of Indians own/use a smartphone and among them 95 per cent Indian respondents feel that their smartphone is very or of critical importance to their daily lives. Multi-functional cell phone has given us convenient; pleasure and technology. However, it doesn’t mean it has no negative effect. No matter how helpful the cell phone is, we cannot ignore its adverse impact to human-being.

Managers claim that employees do not fully use their time and attention into their work, but they focus more on their smartphones, which can eventually harm productivity. Besides, excessive use of Smartphones separates people from realities. People tend to have their smartphones in their hands all the time. They bring smartphones to a party or social event and use them as tools for avoiding socializing with others, or when they use their Smartphones, they totally ignore people nearby them. In addition, smartphones can make employees stress out. When employees use their Smartphones to work on their projects from their work, sometimes they bring stress from their workplaces into their private lives at home, so they cannot separate their work from their non-work lives. The phone, computer, tablet and other high tech devices have become not just an object, but for many a best friend. Many suffer from anxiety if they lose their phone, even if only for a few minutes. We rely on it to do everything from saying "I Love You" to breaking up, from checking bank balances to ordering groceries. At the dinner table, it's becoming the norm to constantly check for texts, emails, tweets and Facebook updates. In a darkened theater, there are always several who are multi-tasking while watching the movie and even when carrying on a face to face conversation the smartphone is guaranteed to keep you in tune and in touch.

Indian teens also love their Smartphone. Nokia research reveals that an average person checks the phone every 6.30 min in a 16 h waking cycle. Of the 20-25 people, at least 10% face smartphone and computer-related injuries in the 20-45 age group. These are usually upwardly mobile patients who are constantly looking at their phone in a bent-forward position. They complain of their backs stiffening up, developing a stoop and text neck besides the tendons in their thumbs hurting when they text. Tendon injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, radiation related problems, inattention blindness and computer vision syndrome are common ailments that stem from unrelenting mobile usage.

Playing with smartphones also hinder toddler's brain development. A recent survey conducted by a cartoon channel in India revealed that 95% of kids live in homes with a mobile phone while 73% of Indian kids are mobile phone users. Interestingly, of these, 70% fall under the age group of 7-10 years while 76% are in the age group of 11-14 years. Most families, especially in metros, do not use landlines at all. And since both parents have mobile phones, a child has access to it since a very young age. Addiction to technological gadgets at an early age also discourages kids to engage in physical activities, leading to instances of obesity. Experts believe that handing over the gadget to a kid who is as young as 7 years may not be a good idea as it can be detrimental to his/her physical and mental health. 

If you can use and appreciate the technology that is available right at your fingertips without letting it rule your life or hinder those around you, then bravo. But for those who think catching up with your friends can only be done on Facebook or whatsapp, then it’s an alarming situation. It is very important to train ourselves to have a healthy relationship with our mobile phones, limiting the time we spend on them and our ability to control ourselves, and even making ourselves take a break from their reassuring presence.

Never treat your phone so seriously that it consumes your soul in the end!!!

Priyanka Verma
Assistant Manager- Employee Benefit Practice
J B Boda Group

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