Few of us in Virginia are immune to occasionally losing an hour to mindless scrolling on our phones and devices. After all, it's the nature of social media and the internet: an endless series of rabbit holes full of breaking news, TikTok videos, shopping, and Insta updates we didn't know we needed. But, for some, those technological time warps aren't just occasional, they're a daily, or even hourly, preoccupation. When does an innocuous pastime become a problematic addiction? And what do we do about it?
Cell phones are an undeniably useful tool. They keep us connected. They facilitate business on the go. They help us navigate. They're a necessity in an emergency. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, over 80 percent of Americans now own a smartphone. And we use them constantly, which has given rise to a host of new pathologies that would be laughable if they weren't, well, concerning. Nomophobia is the fear of not having your phone. Textaphrenia is, you guessed it, the fear of not being able to text. And phantom vibrations may be felt when you think your phone is alerting you, but it isn't.
In much the same way that gambling is an addiction, phone addiction may fall into the realm of behavioral addiction, in that phone usage may trigger the release of the "feel-good" chemical dopamine, which, in turn, reinforces the behavior. Interesting, a dopamine surge is experienced by many people during social interactions. Thus, the connection between our phones and social outlets, along with all the comments and likes, may be the conduit. And that's precisely the way those apps are designed to function. This behavioral addiction becomes particularly problematic when all of those check-ins cross the line from occasional interaction to compulsion.
And, while adults may share the struggle, this addiction seems to be most problematic for teenagers, a population defined by the need for peer acceptance and affirmation. In fact, cell phone use seems to peak during the teenage years, with over a third of all teens keeping their phones on at all times. Those most susceptible to overuse and addiction, teen or otherwise, tend to share some common traits, including low self-esteem, poor impulse control, and mental health concerns like anxiety and depression, though it's still unclear whether it's a chicken or egg scenario: does the phone use cause the common traits or do the traits invite the addiction?
Regardless, if you're concerned about your phone usage or the usage of a family member or friend, here are a few signs that might help you decide if it's a problem worth addressing. Intervention may be necessary If you or a loved one are:
- Waking to check the phone throughout the night
- Feeling anxious when you don't have your phone
- Experiencing phone-use-related problems at work, school, or in relationships.
If you think you have a problem, or others have expressed concern about your usage, consider apps that limit screen time, keep your phone out of your bedroom, delete apps that have proven problematic, and adhere to a schedule for checking socials. If you continue to struggle, a digital detox program, therapeutic intervention like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or consultation with your doctor about other possible interventions might prove necessary.
For questions, call or contact Robins Insurance today.