Phone Addiction

The majority of people check their cellphones about 150 times a day and this number is quickly rising every year. Phone addiction is a real problem; people are constantly bumping into each other, tripping over objects and sometimes taking their own lives. 1.6 million crashes a year are caused by texting and driving, resulting in 6,000 deaths annually. Getting caught up in conversations can really distract the driver and makes it harder to focus. In fact, 26% of car accidents are caused by cell phone use. Imagine peacefully driving home from a long day at work and having your life taken away by someone texting and driving. Phone addiction is real problem that is affecting our world in a negative way. 

No one can imagine their lives without their cell phone, and there are many benefits from them. However, the excessive use of these mobile devices by young teens is becoming dangerous. Teens are losing a lot of sleep, which affects the brain. Lack of sleep from the distraction of our mobile devices can impact your memory and mental health. People just can’t ignore the vibration or the ring of their phone; if you hear it you feel the compulsion to pick it up. Our lives are becoming more and more revolved around our mobile phones.

I asked Sophomore Robert Valente if he thought phone addiction was a real problem and he said,“I believe phone addiction is a real thing that people struggle with because I am addicted myself.” I also asked him what life without phones would be like today? He explained that “life without phones wouldn’t be the same at all, I think people would be a lot nicer without them.”

When people don’t use their phone for a long period of time they feel like they are missing out on important news or information. People repeatedly check social media, minute after minute, to see what other people are doing. It is an addiction that has become a part of everyone’s lifestyle. 

Teens in school are having a hard time focusing because they are too busy checking their phone or listening to music. 50% of teens feel addicted to their mobile device and 59 percent of parents believe that their kids are addicted to their devices. 

Signs of smartphone addiction:

• Frequently checking your phone, even after short bursts.
• Sleep disturbances related to checking your devices. 
• Begin to have negative effects at school, family, or emotional functioning. 
• Increased anxiety if you cannot access your smartphone.

If you struggle with phone addiction, try and turn off as many notifications as possible and keep yourself on a schedule. Don’t sleep with your phone beside you, so you can get better rest. Lastly, keep your phone on silent so you don’t reach for it after every notification.