Nomophobia
Ana Segura
"Fear of being without a phone."
When was the last time you saw your child without their smartphone in their hands? In fact, when was the last time you set your phone down to have a conversation with your child that lasted more than 2 minutes? If you cannot come up with an answer for that question chances are you might be prone to suffer from, or already suffering from, nomophobia. This is the fear of being without a mobile phone.
Facts and Consequences
According to TeenSafe.com, nomophobia should actually be treated as an addiction, because it has been proven by the American Psychiatric Association that there are links between people who are addicted to drugs and people who are addicted to internet usage on their phones. Additionally, according to the Pew's Internet Research Project "29% of cell owners describe their cell phone as 'something they can't imagine living without'."
David Greenfield, psychologist and author, stated that, "Computer technologies can be addictive, because they're "psychoactive." That is, they alter mood and often trigger enjoyable feelings." It's no surprise how quickly a teenager can go from smiling at their phone every five minutes, to turning the house upside down in fury looking for their phone.
David Greenfield, psychologist and author, stated that, "Computer technologies can be addictive, because they're "psychoactive." That is, they alter mood and often trigger enjoyable feelings." It's no surprise how quickly a teenager can go from smiling at their phone every five minutes, to turning the house upside down in fury looking for their phone.
Warning Signs
TeenSafe.com has put together a list of warning signs to look for in your teen if you think they might be addicted to their smartphone:
- Uncomfortable withdrawal when they are not allowed to use their smartphone
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Feelings of "phantom vibrations"
- Isolation from friends and family
Common Phone Usage
The "Did you say something mom/dad?"
The "Lets hangout" group
The "Backseat passengers"
A call for action.
Here are some suggestions for limiting your teen's phone usage:
- Limit the amount of time your teen is on the phone
- Use phone usage as a reward for completing certain chores
- Talk to teachers about taking your student's phone up during the day
- Check on you teen's phone activity
- Lead by example
These are only suggestions, but feel free to add more ideas as you see fit for your teen.
Lets get our children back!
Georgie's Strange Fear: Nomophobia
Credits
http://www.teensafe.com/blog/is-your-teen-a-smartphone-addict/
- "Fear of being without a phone."
- Facts and Consequences
- Warning Signs
- A call for action.
image 2: http://www.indiatimes.com/technology/mobile/smartphones-kill-parentchild-bonding-134216.html
image 3: http://blog.mytrendyphone.eu/70-of-the-world-using-smartphones-by-2020/
image 4: http://resources.uknowkids.com/blog/bid/206277/Smartphones-Your-Teen-s-Life-Then-and-Now
image 5: https://memecrunch.com/meme/ZX0/tells-kids-to-put-cell-phones-away