Andres Cortez
English 214.93
What is cell phone addiction?
The American Psychiatric Association defines addiction as:
“a chronic brain disease that causes compulsive substance use despite harmful
consequences. Health, finances, relationships and careers can be ruined”(American
Psychiatric Association).
The definition of cell phone addiction can be debated but be thought as:
a lack of control over the use of a cell phone, with consequences such as the inability
to succeed in school, harm relationships and fear to be out of cell phone contact also
known as nomophobia(Family Bootcamp and English Dictionary).
Dopamine Loop and Opioid System Theory
Susan Weinschenk’s theory is that our “wanting system
(dopamine)” overpowers our “liking system (opioid system)”
which results in us seeking more than we are satisfied with. In
other words, this can explain why people have a tendency to
constantly be checking and responding to messages.
Dopamine Loop and Opioid System Theory
It is video,
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New research suggests
that people, on average,
check their phones every
six minutes (Willard).
This means that for the average person
who sleeps 8 hours, s/he checks a
cell-phone 150 per day.
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And I believe that there are young adults
that check there cell-phone every minute
when they do not have anything else to do
Signs of cell phone addiction
• Excessive compulsion to check cell-phone
• Usage of a cell-phone in an inappropriate place
• Replacing face-to-face Interaction.
Excessive compulsion to check cell-phone
This is when people have the need to check their cellphone frequently. It can be to check if they received text
messages, calls, emails, and notifications from social
networking applications.
Usage of a cell-phone in an inappropriate place
Two examples of this is when people with authority like
parents complain about family member using a cell-phones
at dinner time.
It can also be when students prefer to check their cellphones while a professor is conducting a class.
Replacing face-to-face Interaction.
This is when people limit their interactions with people physically in
front of one another.
Quick fact:
“replacing face-to-face interactions is one of the most common
warning signs of cell-phone addiction” (Borreli)
Prevent cell-phone addiction
People can prevent cell phone addition by being
conscious, being strong, and being disciplined.
Consciousness
People can be conscious by checking themselves by
determining if they check their cell-phone because of
boredom, loneliness, or anxiety. If that is the case,
people can start to find a something else to be
distracted by.
Be strong
People can be strong by avoiding to answer any
incoming notification, but if it is too difficult to do
that because of the beeping sounds and vibrations,
that can be solved by turning off the alert signals.
Discipline
People can discipline themselves by not using a cell-phone during
certain times.
People can start by choosing a certain time during the day, and set a
goal of not using a cell-phone during that period of time.
For those who cannot gain control over their situation, they can use
StayFocusd. A browser extensions that will block any website after
reaching the time period that it is set to.
Conclusion
By following the three previous tips, cell-phone addiction
can be avoidable by recognizing bad cell-phone usage habits.
For more information you can go to: https://ancortez95.wordpress.com.
or click on the document link:
Position Paper
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18Fbp5LC3mvPTEvicm31jf57lweEwq2JRXtEk7NPKTw/edit?usp=sharing.
Reference page
1."Addiction." American Psychiatric Association. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.psychiatry.org/addiction>.
2."Teen Cell Phone Addiction." Family Bootcamp. Web. 4 May 2015. <http://familybootcamp.org/cellphone-addiction/>.
3. "English Dictionary." Nomophobia. Web. 4 May 2015.
<http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/nomophobia>.
4. "Study: People Check Their Cell Phones Every Six Minutes, 150 Times A Day." Elite Daily. 11 Feb. 2013.
Web. 4 May 2015. <http://elitedaily.com/news/world/study-people-check-cell-phones-minutes-150times-day/>.
5. Borreli, Lizette. "Technology Addiction: Warning Signs of A Cell Phone Addict." Medical Daily. 2 July
2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2015. <http://www.medicaldaily.com/technology-addiction-warning-signs-cellphone-addict-247344>
6. Willard, Stephen. "Study: People Check Their Cell Phones Every Six Minutes, 150 Times A Day." Study
People Check Their Cell Phones Every Six Minutes 150 Times A Day Comments. Elite Daily, 11 Feb. 2013.
Web. 13 May 2015. <http://elitedaily.com/news/world/study-people-check-cell-phones-minutes-150times-day/>.