Smartphone Addiction: Symptoms and Solutions
Smartphone addiction is a new societal issue that has emerged as a result of the astonishing increase in smartphone usage in today's society. In this article, we will take a deeper look at the reality of smartphone addiction and delve into how to prevent it.
This article focuses on the growing problem of smartphone addiction and details the causes, symptoms, and countermeasures.
1What Is Smartphone Addiction?
"Smartphone addiction" is the term for a psychological condition in which an individual becomes overly dependent on their smartphones and other mobile phones, to the point that they disregard other aspects of their lives. Addiction to smartphones is more common among younger generations.
As per the findings of the "2022 Smartphone Addiction Survey of 2,215 Working Men and Women Who Own Smartphones" conducted by Job Research Institute, a staggering 79.6% of smartphone owners were classified as "addicted." Among younger generations, 81.0% of those in their 20s reported being dependent on drugs or alcohol.
These findings suggest that compared to other age groups, the digital native generation is more accustomed to and reliant on cellphones.
2What Are the Causes of Smartphone Addiction?
While there are other reasons why people become addicted to smartphones and other mobile devices, the following three are very crucial:
1Ease of access to information
With the help of smartphones, we can easily stay up to date on news and entertainment, no matter where we are. But because it's so simple to use, we've developed the unintentional habit of checking our smartphones without realising the time.
In a Job Research Institute survey, 75.3% of smartphone addicts answered that "time passing without them realising" was the cause of their addiction.
2Widespread use of social media
Due to the widespread use of social media, many people now prioritize their online relationships over their offline ones because these connections are becoming a common part of their daily lives.
Younger generations use social media more frequently than older generations do. In a Job Research Institute survey, 87.1% of respondents stated that "communication" was the primary reason they used a smartphone.
3Use as a stress reliever
In modern society, it is common to use smartphones as a way to relieve stress. However, this can also lead to addiction.
Those who have been depressed and lonely have been using smartphones more and spending more time at home, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. An average of one hour and twenty-two minutes has been added to smartphone usage, according to 78.8% of participants in a Job Research Institute poll, since the COVID-19 pandemic first started.
Thus, the cause of smartphone addiction is deeply related to changes in lifestyle in modern society, with the ease of access to information, the spread of social media, and the use of smartphones as a way to relieve stress being major factors.
These factors are linked together, so it's important to have a thorough understanding of them all while thinking about ways to tackle smartphone addiction.
3Symptoms and Dangers of Smartphone Addiction
Four types of symptoms can be used to categorize symptoms of smartphone addiction: poor concentration, sleeping disorder, social issues, and health issues.
1Poor concentration
Regular smartphone checking distracts people, which can make it harder to focus at work and in daily life.
2Sleeping disorder
Melatonin, a hormone associated with sleep, is secreted less frequently when exposed to blue light from smartphone screens. As a result, using a smartphone right before bed can result in insomnia and poor sleep quality. Furthermore, constantly monitoring your smartphone disrupts sleep by waking up the brain.
3Social issues
An increase in smartphone use can cause social isolation and a decline in interpersonal interactions. In particular, there's a chance that in-person relationships will deteriorate as more and more of our communication moves towards digital platforms.
4Health issues
Using smartphones for long periods of time can cause physical problems such as eye fatigue, headaches, and poor posture. Additionally, it has been noted that extended smartphone use raises the risk of diseases linked to a certain way of life, such as diabetes and obesity.
Smartphone addiction is not just a dependency on digital devices; it can cause multiple harms. It is possible to avoid or lessen these symptoms by using smartphones in moderation.
4Prevention Methods to Smartphone Addiction
It's critical to establish appropriate time limits for smartphone use before attempting to prevent smartphone addiction. Nevertheless, if you are having trouble doing it yourself, one solution is to use parental control software.
A parental control app is an app that allows parents to manage their children's smartphone usage. It has various functions such as limiting usage time, restricting app usage, and blocking inappropriate content. Though there are many different kinds of parental control apps, AirDroid Parental Control is suggested for the reasons listed below.
1Why Choose AirDroid Parental Control?
It has a wide range of features
AirDroid Parental Control has a variety of features, including limiting screen time, restricting app usage, blocking inappropriate content, tracking location, etc. You can also monitor emails and messages sent and received from your child's phone.
User-friendly interface
AirDroid Parental Control has a simple and easy-to-understand interface, so even first-time users can operate it with ease.
Peace of Mind with Security
AirDroid Parental Control makes use of encryption technologies such as SSL and TLS to protect children's privacy.
2Features of AirDroid Parental Control
Main functions and features
- Usage time limit: You can limit the amount of time your child spends using their smartphone. You can limit how much time your child spends on it by setting usage limits based on the day of the week and the hour of the day.
- App Restrictions: You can restrict your child from using certain apps. You can restrict the use of inappropriate apps or apps that may interfere with learning or daily activities.
- Block Inappropriate Content: You can block your children from accessing inappropriate content. You can restrict access to harmful videos, images and sites.
- Location Tracking: You can track the location of your child's phone. By keeping track of your child’s location, you can ensure their safety.
- Monitor Emails and Messages: You can monitor the emails and messages sent and received from your child's smartphone. You can check whether your child is sending or receiving inappropriate emails or messages.
AirDroid Parental Control is an effective way to prevent smartphone addiction. If you want to manage your children's smartphone usage, we recommend giving it a try.
5Summary
Smartphone addiction is a significant problem in modern life. However, by taking the necessary precautions, it is possible to live a healthy digital lifestyle. It is important to be mindful of how you use your smartphone and its effects, and to develop good usage habits.
*If you do not want to install the app, you can use the web version of AirDroid Parental Control.
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