Introduction
Technology continues to change people’s daily activities, becoming a more significant part of each person’s life with each new development. Now, a significant part of society has smartphones, with people using their phones not only to call or message one another but as a source of information, entertainment, income, and much more. While extremely useful for completing tasks, smartphones have become devices without which many people cannot function.
In 2008, an addition to one’s phone gained a name – “nomophobia” (Kubala). More than a decade later, the influence of innovation has increased the severity of this issue among young people and adults. The technological advancement of smartphones has led to nomophobia and contributed to hurting society, leading to mental health problems, physical health risks, and people’s inability to look away from their phones during dangerous situations.
Nomophobia: A Modern Digital Anxiety Disorder
The problem of nomophobia started appearing in the news in the early 2010s and has been gaining more attention yearly. This term describes a condition similar to other anxiety disorders, phobias, and addictions. A person who develops nomophobia is afraid not to have their smartphone close by – they are scared of it being powered down or otherwise losing connectivity (“Nomophobia: The Irrational Fear”).
Furthermore, people with this phobia have the urge to check their phones frequently. The closeness of nomophobia to addictions and phobias in its symptoms – anxiety, sweating, stress, agitation, and breathing or heartbeat problems – points to it being a serious issue (Kubala). It is not a confirmed disorder, so medical professionals do not treat it effectively. However, the use of smartphones grows every year – today, an average American checks their smartphone almost 100 times daily, spending about 5.5 hours on it daily (Flynn). These statistics show that the use of smartphones affects one’s daily life significantly.
The Mental Health Impact of Nomophobia on Youth
Apart from the general statistics, research finds that nomophobia is especially harmful to the mental health of adolescents and young adults. Notara et al. investigate the severity of smartphone addiction and find that it is present in at least 15% of young people, with some studies showing a more than 90% prevalence (120). The researchers also argue that smartphone use can lead to psychological, social, and emotional problems.
People with nomophobia experience academic issues, low self-esteem, loneliness, social phobia, and other psychosocial problems (Notara et al. 128). The fear of losing connection to one’s smartphone also decreases one’s attentiveness to the outside world and the quality of real-life relationships. All outcomes mentioned above result in poor mental health for young adults who are afraid of being without smartphones. In this case, technological advancement has made people rely on phones excessively, and they have lost the skills to connect with others in real life.
Nomophobia’s Link to Sleep Disturbances and Physical Health Issues
The second argument that supports the danger of nomophobia is its influence on physical health. As noted above, many young people experience mental distress without their phones and feel the need to check them constantly. Lin et al. connect this issue with sleep problems, insomnia, and related physical health concerns (1). According to the study, addiction to social media and nomophobia have a direct impact on the development of insomnia (Lin et al. 2).
Adolescents and young adults require healthy sleep to develop, and their cognitive, physical, and emotional growth greatly depends on how many hours of sleep they get daily. In adolescents with nomophobia, the hours of sleep are cut back significantly, and young individuals also have poor sleep quality (Lin et al. 2). As a result, the excessive use of smartphones does not affect one’s mental health and social performance exclusively. It can also potentially have long-lasting consequences for one’s physical well-being.
Public Safety Risks Associated with Nomophobia in Daily Life
Another potential argument highlighting the damage of technological progress on society is the risks to people who are surrounded by individuals with nomophobia. The lack of attention, the constant need to check one’s phone, and stress result in people not concentrating on the events around them. Such behavioral issues can pose real risks in situations when distractions are dangerous.
For example, Kaviani et al. find that nomophobia affects drivers’ phone use (100190). The fear of being without a device makes drivers look away from the road or feel anxious while driving. As an outcome, the risk of accidents rises, and overall road safety decreases.
Illegal smartphone use significantly contributes to the number of accidents, increasing significantly when drivers develop nomophobia (Kaviani et al. 100190). This problem may also exist in other areas, for example, among workers operating heavy machinery. While further research is needed to see whether nomophobia affects other circumstances, it is clear that excessive smartphone use puts people at risk of accidents.
Acknowledging the Benefits of Smartphones in Modern Society
A potential refutation to the idea that technological advancement hurts society lies in the great benefits that smartphones provide to people. These devices connect people who cannot use other types of communication (Kaviani et al. 100190). They are more portable than computers while being functional and reliable.
For example, one may stay connected to their family during a trip, perform work duties remotely, or find urgently needed information. Phones are a valid source of entertainment and can be a primary way of maintaining one’s relationships. It may be challenging to pathologize using smartphones, declaring they are dangerous to society.
The Need for Balance: Addressing the Dangers of Smartphone Overuse
Nevertheless, this argument neglects the dangers of overuse – smartphones are a valuable tool that should not take over one’s life. Nomophobia is a consequence of overreliance on devices that develops into a combination of addiction and phobia. Studies exploring the effects of nomophobia on one’s mental and physical health do not denounce smartphones as essential to modern society.
However, they emphasize that moderation is necessary to limit smartphone use and prevent the long-term effects of nomophobia. It is especially vital to address the rates of smartphone use addiction among younger generations who are used to always having technology around them. While smartphones are not a problem, various social factors contribute to nomophobia and should be addressed as a serious global problem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, technology is essential in the modern world, and smartphones are among the most widely used devices. Their multifunctionality and portability have led to people relying on smartphones daily, which has evolved into addiction and phobia in many individuals. Nomophobia describes people’s fear of being disconnected, and it leads to decreased attention, stress, and anxiety.
Younger people are at significant risk of mental and physical health problems – they cannot concentrate, communicate, or sleep due to the constant need to use the device. This issue leads to long-term consequences and can result in accidents on the road and other circumstances. Thus, while smartphones have much value, their use should be regulated to ensure that people can function without them.
Works Cited
Flynn, Jack. “20 Vital Smartphone Usage Statistics [2023]: Facts, Data, and Trends on Mobile Use in the U.S.” Zippia. 2023. Web.
Kaviani, F., et al. “Using Nomophobia Severity to Predict Illegal Smartphone Use While Driving.” Computers in Human Behavior Reports, vol. 6, 2022, p. 100190.
Kubala, Kendra. “What is Nomophobia?” Medical News Today. 2022. Web.
Lin, Chung-Ying, et al. “Longitudinal Relationships Between Nomophobia, Addictive Use of Social Media, and Insomnia in Adolescents.” Healthcare, vol. 9, no. 1201, pp. 1-10.
“Nomophobia: The Irrational Fear of Being Without a Mobile Phone.” Iberdrola, n.d. Web.
Notara, Venetia, et al. “The Emerging Phenomenon of Nomophobia in Young Adults: A Systematic Review Study.” Addiction & Health, vol. 13, no. 2, 2021, pp. 120-136.