Do you remember when addiction meant a dependence on drugs or alcohol? Today in the news, experts speak of a very different kind of addiction affecting men and women of every age, even children and teenagers.
What is our society's new addiction?
Addiction to technology, specifically smartphones.
Are you addicted to your phone? How can you know?
Beginning in 2012, according to Nielsen polls, phone users spent an average of 18 hours per month on their phones.
Beginning in 2014, phone users spent an average of 30 hours per month on their phones, and that number is increasing.
To help users assess their own usage, or addiction to their Smart phone, two apps have been developed. The fact there are apps that can track our own addictions to the very phones we are using is somewhat ironic, but users believe the apps are helping curb phone usage.
One app is called Moment. Moment tell you the number of minutes you use your phone. Users can set a daily limit for themselves and Moment notifies you if you reach your limit.
The other app is called Checky. Checky monitors the number of times you check your phone, even the number of times you unlock your device.
It allows users to share their score on social media as well as tracks locations where you check your phone. Some people report checking their phone 200 times a day or more, and even locations such as the freeway.
The belief of each of these app developers is that once users have awareness of the amount of time they are either using their phones or checking their phones, with being able to set daily limits or goals, users will spend less time on their phones unnecessarily.
Do you believe you are addicted to your phone? Maybe one of these two apps can help you spend less time on your phone and more time on what really matters to you.
I appreciate your post and worry that I am spending too much time on the internet. My ipad has made it so easy. I look at my son who seems to be texting all the time. Probably a good thing I don't have a smartphone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about your son. I worry that I check my phone too often-- it seems I have trouble separating from it. I appreciate your input.
DeleteLOVE this post! The comparison of the stats between the 2 years is quite alarming, but not really surprising. I am definitely addicted and it's awful. I feel like I am a prisoner to my technology. I have developed a need to constantly be stimulated in some way which leads me to check my phone for email, texts, FB and now slices. Thanks for posting - I am going to download one of those apps pronto. Great informational slice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your positive feedback. I have gotten worse with checking my phone almost constantly, especially unlocking it to check Twitter, etc. I am glad you found it helpful.
DeleteI was just contemplating a post about this same time of addition with my 8 year old son with his new iPod. i was just wishing for some time-limiting device that would time out the iPod device when he had used it a certain # of minutes per day. Thank you for the facts that you included in your post as well..powerful!
ReplyDeleteIt seems students are on electronic devices at a younger and younger age. I am glad you found the post helpful. Thanks for the feedback.
DeleteIt seems students are on electronic devices at a younger and younger age. I am glad you found the post helpful. Thanks for the feedback.
DeleteI was just contemplating a post about this same time of addition with my 8 year old son with his new iPod. i was just wishing for some time-limiting device that would time out the iPod device when he had used it a certain # of minutes per day. Thank you for the facts that you included in your post as well..powerful!
ReplyDelete