Robert Pen, SDB
SESSION 1:
UNDERSTANDING
I
CELL PHONE ADDICTION
Cell Phone Addiction
II Signs and Symptoms of Cell Phone Addiction
III Physical Effects of Cell Phone Addiction
IV
Psychological Effects of Cell Phone Addiction
V Psychological Disorders
I. Cell Phone Addiction
1. What Is Cell Phone Addiction?
• Cell Phone addiction is the obsessive use of a
smartphone.
• The behavioral addiction is often dubbed as
“nomophobia,” or the fear of being without a mobile
device.
• According to Google Trends, since 2004 searches for
“cell phone addiction” have been rising.
I. Cell Phone Addiction
2. Designed To Be Addictive
The devices are carefully designed to be hard to put down.
Through its colours, sounds and vibrations, the
technology purposely keeps its users engaged.
According to former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris,
features like “pull to refresh” were inspired by slot
machines and other casino games.
Designers and engineers meticulously develop every
aspect of the device to create fanatical users.
I. Cell Phone Addiction
3. Study/Research:
World Level: Studies have been conducted all over the world
by psychologists among college students to correlate mobile
addiction and its symptoms like interpersonal relationships,
anger, anxiety, depression, suicide tendencies etc.
In India: The smartphone addiction magnitude ranged from
39% to 44% as per the research done up to 2014. These
people (young and adults) spend upto 5 hours daily.
I. Cell Phone Addiction
3. Study: “Prevalence of Internet Addiction among
Seminarians in a Major Seminary in Kenya”
Among 173 seminarians in a Major Seminary in Kenya
4.6% of the participants had severe internet addiction
34.1% were moderately addicted to the internet.
The prevalence of internet addiction was 38.7%.
The school of Philosophy had the highest prevalence of
internet addiction of 47.1%.
II. Signs and Symptoms
Although cell phone addiction is not yet listed in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
5th Edition (DSM-5)
Research has compared it to gambling addiction,
which has clearer diagnostic criteria and is included in
the DSM-5.
II. Signs and Symptoms
At least 4 of the following signs and symptoms are
thought to comprise criteria for cell phone addiction:
1. A need to use the cell phone more and more often in
order to achieve the same desired effect.
2. Persistent failed attempts to use cell phone less often.
3. Preoccupation with smartphone use.
4. Turns to cell phone when experiencing unwanted
feelings such as anxiety or depression.
II. Signs and Symptoms
At least 4 of the following signs and symptoms are
thought to comprise criteria for cell phone addiction:
5. Excessive use characterized by loss of sense of time.
6. Has put a relationship or job at risk due to excessive
cell phone use.
7. Lack of Tolerance: Need for newest cell phone, more
applications, or increased use.
8. Withdrawal symptoms, when cell phone or network is
unreachable. E.g. Anger/Tension/Depression/
II. Signs and Symptoms
Few more additional ways to discern if someone has
signs and symptoms of a phone addiction:
1. Lying about smartphone use.
2. Loved ones expressing concern.
3. Neglect or trouble completing duties at work, college, or home.
4. Checking peoples’ profiles repeatedly due to anxiety.
5. Accidents or injury due to phone use.
6. Working later to complete tasks.
7. Weak or non-existent social life.
8. Isolation from loved ones.
II. Signs and Symptoms
Few more additional ways to discern if someone has
signs and symptoms of a phone addiction:
9. A feeling of lack of connection.
10. Angry or irritated if phone use is interrupted.
11. Getting up at night to check a phone.
12. Reaching for the phone the moment they are alone or bored.
13. Phantom vibrations (thinking the phone buzzes when it
doesn’t).
14. Craving access to a smartphone or another device.
15. Fear of missing out (FOMO)
II. Signs and Symptoms
Indicative Function:
It is essential to remember that there is no specific
amount of time, frequency, or messages sent that
indicates phone addiction.
Yet an accumulation of the above warning signs is an
indicator of an underlying phone use problem.
III. Physical Effects of Mobile
Addiction
1. Digital Eye Strain:
The pain and discomfort associated with viewing a digital
screen for over 2 hours.
Eyes begin to burn and itch
Blurred vision
Eye fatigue
Digital Eye Strain can cause headaches
2. Neck Problems:
Also known as “text neck,” which refers to neck pain
resulting from looking down at cell phone or tablet for
too long.
III. Physical Effects of Mobile
Addiction
3. Increased illnesses due to Germs
1 in 6 cell phones has faecal matter on it.
E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria, which can cause
fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea, is found on many
phones.
Phones have been found to be contaminated with
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria that causes resistance to antibiotics)
Causes painful abscesses.
Life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical
wounds, bloodstream, heart valves, and lungs.
III. Physical Effects of Mobile
Addiction
4. Car/bike Accidents
Many people believe that they can multitask and use their
phones while driving, but this causes significant impairment and
puts the driver and others on the road in danger.
Research has revealed that texting and driving can be just as
dangerous as drinking and driving.
5. Male Infertility
Preliminary studies have revealed that cell phone radiation may
decrease sperm count, sperm motility and viability.
IV. Psychological Effects of
Mobile Addiction
1. Sleep Disturbances
Cell phone addiction has been linked to an increase in
sleep disorders and fatigue in users.
Using your cell phone before bed increases the likelihood
of insomnia.
Bright light may decrease sleep quality.
Smartphone use could increase amount of time it takes to
fall asleep.
Light emitted from the cell phone may activate the brain.
IV. Psychological Effects of
Mobile Addiction
2. Depression
3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
4. Relationship problems (impaired relations)
5. Anxiety
6. Lower Concentration
7. Creativity blocks
8. Aggravated ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
9. Reduced Cognition
10. Stress
11. Loneliness
12. Insecurity
13. Poor Grades
V. Psychological Disorders
1. GABA Dysfunction
Chronic phone overuse is proven to change reward circuits in
the brain chemically.
One of the primary affected neurotransmitters is gabapentin
(GABA).
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that produces a calming
or euphoric effect. It can even control fear and anxiety.
The inhibitor plays a significant role in addiction by rewarding
substance use and reinforcing addictive behaviors
V. Psychological Disorders
1. GABA Dysfunction
Research shows that chronic phone use can increase or
decrease GABA production.
Disturbances to the GABA system are proven to be a warning
sign of addiction.
In a study by the Radiological Society of North America, heavy
phone use was linked to an upsetting ratio of GABA to other
neurotransmitters.
When the teen test subjects received cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT) for the disorder, their brain chemistry reverted to
a non-addicted ratio.
V. Psychological Disorders
2. Decrease in Grey Matter
Grey matter in the brain is connected to the part of the central
nervous system responsible for enabling individuals to control
movement, memory, and emotions.
Research: Grey matter volume among people addicted to their
phones diminished in critical areas, a condition similarly
observed in people with a substance use disorder.
V. Psychological Disorders
3. Suicide
It is important to note that there has also been a rise in
depression and suicide among teenagers in recent years
correlated to phone addiction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), between 2010-2015, the suicide rate rose by 65%.
Many researchers believe the rise in suicides is a direct
reflection of the negative effects of phone addiction.
