HomeGeneral Health MattersSmartphone Addiction - A Subtle Way To Get Addicted To Technology

Smartphone Addiction – A Subtle Way To Get Addicted To Technology

We’ve been blessed with so many technologies today. And, it is a good thing. However, there is also a bad side to it. Although most of us don’t admit it, we are in a crisis of smartphone addiction.

As a matter of fact, you may be reading or found this article on social media like Facebook or Twitter. That’s not totally a bad thing but how much time we spend on a smartphone is shocking.

In the past, we only have a recreational drug addiction, then we have masturbation, porn and sex addictions and now smartphone addiction. In general, we can say it’s an addiction to technology.

If you are skeptical about your smartphone usage, well, watch this investigative video. It is CBS News conducting an experiment on one typical family and tracks their smartphone usage for 8 weeks. In the end, the family members were shocked by their smartphone habits.

Connected Yet Disconnected

It is true that technology like our smartphones gets us connected all the time. Whether it would be for business, personal or family matters, smartphones are a blessing when it comes to connectivity.

However, using technology inappropriately can lead us to disconnectedness. What does this mean? Sherry Turkle, author, consultant, and researcher puts it this way “Connected But Alone”. Here is her full TED Talks the further explains it.

Still skeptical? And, btw, have you watched the experiment done by CBS News posted above? The results were shocking, isn’t it?

What about you, how much time do you spend on your smartphone simply doing non-productive stuff? And, here’s more, even a former social media executive reveals the dangers of social media.

Why is it that we are always talking about social media? Obviously, it is on social media platforms where people spend most of their time, particularly young people.

The Good News

So, what’s the good news? Regardless that it may seem we are slaves to technology, we still have the ability to decide our limits. After all, technology is not that bad as long as we use it appropriately.

We are able to send and receive transactions of any forms including financial through proper use of technology. In other words, we have to control and direct ourselves to using technology in a productive way.

Or, let us put it this way, let us take control of ourselves instead of the smartphone controlling us.

By the way, smartphone addiction perhaps has an equal meaning of social media addiction. Why? As mentioned earlier, this is where most people spend their time on their smartphones.

Is It Possible To Stay Offline And Avoid Smartphone Addiction?

Certainly, you’ve seen this type of question on social media. But the real question is…it is possible and can you do it? Would you do it?

Most people will surely answer they cannot do it. On the other hand, a few people say “YES”. Now, the question is…are you ready and willing to stay offline whether with or without pay? And, is there someone who has done it already?

Well, there is one guy who unplugged himself outside of the smartphone world.

So, would you consider unplugging yourself from technology? Honestly, you don’t have to do that if you don’t want to. However, what you must absolutely do is exercise full control of yourself.

Self-discipline would be an appropriate word for it. If you have a hard time doing it, seek help. In fact, a regular meditation practice can help to break free from addiction.

In addition to meditation practice, make it a habit to stay physically active. Particularly, have a daily walk and be mindful during that activity.

Your Phone is Hacking Your Brain

Sounds scary, right? Here another interview of that guy who believes that phone is controlling us. In this another interview, he says it all…brain hacking but in this case, it’s the phone getting into our brain.

At the end of the day, if you want to take control of yourself, do it. Do not let technology use and control you. Use it the other way, instead. Put and use your smartphone for good and productive use.

This information is really scary. However, before we can avoid it, we must know it. But there is another thing you should be aware, aside from these psychological side effects due to smartphone addiction, it also causes physical damage.

Spending long hours in front of smartphones have unhealthy consequences on your vision, particularly for children.

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