ADDICTED TO PHONES?
Some people don't have a problem turning off their cell
phone in movies, hospitals, or after work. But for
others, just the idea of being out of touch causes
anxiety.
Although a seemingly necessary part of our lives,
the use of cell phones and Blackberry type devices
is starting to interfere in the lives of users who
don't know when, or are unable to turn them off.
Talking on the phone is not really the problem,
so much as the need to be connected, available,
and to know what's going on with other people.
That is the true measurement of cell phone addiction.
If you can't sit through a meal without answering
every call, sending text messages, etc, then you
have a problem. If not having your phone causes
so much anxiety that you can't enjoy yourself,
and constantly think about getting back home so
you can check your messages, then you have a problem.
If your excessive use of the cell phone causes
problems in your relationships, or job, then you
have a problem.
So can these frequent cell phone users be labeled
as addicted? There are some similiarities to other
types of addiction, such as using it to feel good,
building up a tolerance, needing it more and more,
and experiencing withdrawal if deprived of it.
I personally think that extremely excessive use
of the cell phone can be called an addiction,
and that it can seriously interfere with relationships.
I speak from personal experience. Someone I care
about is always on the phone. Monthly cell
bills show 4800-5000 minutes used monthly. Every
moment spent in the car driving is spent on the phone.
Hang up from one call, immediately call someone else.
And forget every being able to get through to him when
you call, because he will always be talking on the
phone. These are all personal calls, not business
related ones.
It's become a real issue between us, whether you
want to label it "addiction" or not. I myself
think it's just a case of denial.
Do you or someone you know have this problem?
What do you think about it?
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