Smartphone, friend or foe?

We’re living in a consumer society where people are particularly consuming smartphones without any limit, which could lead to certain forms of dependency.
Myriam BARBARA
Vendredi 11 décembre 2020
Organisateurs


We’re living in a consumer society where people are particularly consuming smartphones without any limit, which could lead to certain forms of dependency. 

We often have the impression that if we missed it, everything would feel depopulated. This is not completely wrong, there is even a word to qualify this fear: nomophobia, for no mobile phone phobia. There is only one step to go from there to saying that you can develop a smartphone addiction, but what is it exactly?

At present, no smartphone addiction is recognized as such, either by the Academy of Medicine or by the Academy of Sciences. This is also what psychiatrists confirm by saying that there is no addiction to smartphones, which is only a medium, like the Internet.

However, there is what is called nomophobia, defined as "the fear or worry felt about being without a mobile phone or being unable to use it.". Affecting especially 15-25 year-old      teenagers and young adults, this anxiety implies that we spend our time checking that we have our phone, stressing that it is lost, stolen, broken or even finding that it will soon be discharged. We could also evoke the “FOMO” (Fear Of Missing Out), the fear of missing information or an event, which is in a way the syndrome of modern times.

The smartphone is just a tool that facilitates all addictions. The problem is how you're going to use it. We talk about addiction when there is a loss of control over the object. You can't control the game anymore. You spend more time in it than you need to.

These problems are particularly likely to occur in adolescents. What is certain is that adolescence is a pivotal period regarding brain development and white matter. The reward system is very active and this makes adolescents very susceptible to all addictions, whether virtual or chemical.

Although it is not exactly the same with smartphones, the idea is to check that the child does not isolate himself on the one hand, and that he is in a state of creation rather than involved in repetitive, compulsive activity on the other.

What characterizes mobile phone addiction?

When your smartphone is more important to you than direct contact with your fellow human beings in the real world. In other words: when it's no longer you who controls the device but the phone that controls you.

I spend three hours in front of the screen every day. Am I addicted?

No, the duration itself is not a criterion for dependence, unless the device takes up so much space that you no longer have time to devote to others or to other activities. It is very important to know how to use your cell phone and how useful its utilization is.

What are the typical symptoms of addiction?

When the cell phone is always at hand in certain situations, such as when we are at the table or participating in discussions. Or when someone is annoyed, or even becomes aggressive, if they cannot use their cell phone. Or when he or she flees to his or her smartphone instead of chatting and having a conversation. If you use your cell phone in the morning on the train, when you wouldn't be talking to anyone anyway, however, that's okay.

Can addiction affect anyone?

In principle, yes. These days, however, cell phone addiction is more of a problem with teenagers. There is an addiction or risk in 10% of them.

Are older people not at risk?

No, the smartphone addiction also affects the elderly. However, we either do not notice it, or we do so later on. In the case of adolescents, however, it is usually the parents who react, for the sake of their children.