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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/23/2007 11:02:59 AM | A little something for all the POFers who complain that dates can't stay away from their cell phones!
Thursday, January 18, 2007, GAINESVILLE, Fla. — “Turn off your cell phones and pagers.”
For most people, heeding these warnings in hospitals or at the movies is as simple as pressing a button. But for a growing number of people across the globe, the idea of being out of touch, even just for a 90-minute movie, is enough to induce anxiety, says a University of Florida psychologist who studies addictions to the Internet and other technologies.
Although cellular phones and personal digital assistants such as the BlackBerry were created to make modern life more convenient, they’re actually beginning to interfere in the lives of users who don’t know when to turn them off, says Lisa Merlo, an assistant professor of psychiatry in the UF College of Medicine.
“It’s not so much talking on the phone that’s typically the problem although that can have consequences too,” Merlo said. “(It’s) this need to be connected, to know what’s going on and be available to other people. That’s one of the hallmarks of cell phone addiction.”
Unlike addictions to alcohol, drugs or even gambling, it can be hard to pinpoint problematic cell phone use. Almost everyone has a cell phone and uses it regularly. But if someone can’t get through dinner without sending text messages or furiously typing on a personal digital assistant during a meeting, it may be time to take a step back, Merlo said.
How people respond to being separated from their cell phones or PDAs is another clue. Frequent users often become anxious when they are forced to turn off the phone or if they forget it at home, so much so that they can’t enjoy whatever they’re doing, Merlo added. Often, cell phone “addicts” compulsively check their phones for voicemails and text messages, she said.
“When (cell phone overuse) really becomes problematic for a lot of people is if they have underlying anxiety or depression,” she said. “This can really exacerbate it or (cause) their symptoms to manifest themselves.”
For example, someone who already worries about what others think of them could become easily agitated if their phone calls or messages aren’t returned right away.
“This is something that is going to affect them on a day-to-day basis,” Merlo said.
The problem seems to be growing. A Japanese study revealed that children with cell phones often don’t make friends with their less tech-savvy peers, a Hungarian study found that three-fourths of children had mobile phones and an Italian study showed that one quarter of adolescents owned multiple phones and many claimed to be somewhat addicted to them. A British study also recently found that 36 percent of college students surveyed said they could not get by without cell phones. But this may be more a sign that students view cell phones as a modern necessity like a car, said David Sheffield, a psychologist who conducted the study at Staffordshire University in England.
“The most shocking figure was that 7 percent said the use of mobile phones had caused them to lose a relationship or a job,” Sheffield said.
Although experts have pinpointed these problems in frequent cell phone users, studies have yet to show if a bad cell phone habit constitutes an actual addiction. Yet as with traditional addictions, excessive cell phone use is associated with certain hallmark patterns of behavior, including using something to feel good, building up a tolerance and needing more of it over time to get the same feeling, and going through withdrawal if deprived of it, Merlo said.
Cell phone users could start out with one phone and switch to newer models with more advanced features or PDAs that act like mini-computers over time to get the same feeling they had with their first phone, she said. Although withdrawal is typically considered a physical response that occurs when the body goes without a chemical, the anxiety cell phone users feel without their phone could simply be another form of withdrawal.
“Those things lend toward the idea that maybe this is an addiction, but maybe it’s manifesting in a little bit different way than you would think of a chemical substance,” Merlo said.
Addiction also causes changes in the brain, but scientists have yet to measure what happens in the brains of cell phone users, she said. Even eating and other behaviors have been shown to produce the same effects in the brain as drugs and alcohol in some people, UF studies have shown.
For frequent phoners who do think they have a problem or for parents of children obsessed with their cells, Merlo advises downgrading to a basic phone with fewer features and setting limits about where and when to use the phone.
“Cell phones are a great technology,” Merlo said. “They’re useful in a lot of situations. (But) one of the most important things is making sure you have some cell phone free time in your day. It’s OK to turn it off. Focus on family, homework, knowing that cell phone message will still be there.”
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/23/2007 11:40:23 AM | I agree with the article completely!.
I hate it when im at a movie or am out with someone and the person answers their phone and the person that calls them is loud and extremely obnoxious (hello, i can hear you, turn it down!).
I also don't like it if people are talking in a store, say when they are shopping around and they get distracted and hold up the isle. It's very annoying.
I took a long time before buying my first cellphone..I always just thought a cellphone would be a problem to me, but really, it's not if you are careful with it and don't rely on it for everything. That's why i just have a cellphone i use on occasions, with no contract. Then if i want to use it a lot, it costs me a lot and i can't get addicted to it. Helps me keep my boundaries with it.
I turn it off when im busy, or when im charging it, out shopping or at a movie, or when im focusing on something else that needs to get done.
I think in recent years, i've noticed cellphones have become a big problem with people who are in relationships or are dating someone. Some feel the need to invade the other persons space and check up on what they are doing (their text messages, voice mail, contact list, etc)...it's a very scary thing. Reason i was skeptical about getting one.
So if i get text messages, i tend to delete them after i read them (not to hide anything but to keep my privacy). I don't see the point in storing messages if i've already read them. Same goes for voice messages. I sure as heck wouldn't want people invading my privacy. I wish more people would learn to trust their mates or the person they are recently seeing. I can see why it causes anxiety these days, in every day people!
But cellphones are a nice thing to have for a few reasons....good to have one incase you get stranded or if someone's trying to contact you to change plans (say on a date, so then you know you don't get stood up). Or if you want to talk to someone on the internet that wants to take you out on a date & you don't want to give them your home phone number... | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/24/2007 11:43:08 PM | This is just one more example of the continuing transformation of our culture into one of hurried disconnectedness. Ironic, isn't it? We think we're "plugged in" to the world. Global communication at the touch of a button, while we miss the world before us in its wonder.
I've lost track of the number of people sitting in an attractive restaurant, one in a couple talking on the phone while the other picks at and eats the meal alone.
Two real life stories to share:
Loud cell phone rings during the eulogy at a funeral -- the guy picks it up and starts talking.
At an intimate and quiet chamber music ensemble -- singer and piano -- cell phone rings during singer's sustained note. She stops singing, everybody turns and looks at the woman, who says to the lady on stage, "could you keep it down, I'm on the phone".
Are these examples extreme? Sure. But the psychology behind them is not anomalous. Most kids have the cell phone culture as a natural part of growing up: exploring the world around them? Ha. And parents rightly worry about kids staying at home on the computer or watching TV all day and getting fat (leaving aside the absent dual-income family out of it for purposes of this conversation-- always thought that was a kids' copout explanation, anyway). Now, even when they go outside, they're beeping, instead of bopping, all the time. Guess it'll innure them more easily to the further proliferation of our sequestered electronic ersatz-experience.
Stats have directly linked cell phone yakking with vehicular death, and the many thousands of such is insane, considering it's needless. Even businesses now realize this, and are now easing off on expecting their employees to always be "logged in". Unfortunately, much of it is still unnecessary chat.
I've narrowly avoided, as a pedestrian, being clipped at intersections by harried post-work rush hour drivers, one hand on the wheel, the other on the omnipresent cell. Only a few staes in the U.S., and a few provinces in Canada currently make it a no-no, though a misdemeanor. Much tougher laws overseas. | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/25/2007 2:43:49 AM | Like the infamous Star Trek alien enemies, we are becoming the Borg and resistance is futile.
I'm amazed at those people who have the little Bluetooth receiver clipped to their ear just like the Borg's implants.
Who do these people talk to all the time ?
How did they get through the day, out of touch, before the cell phone came along ?
It's gotten to be that every parent insists their kids have cell phones for instant contact.
How did I ever get through childhood, without a cell phone ?
Most businesses have rules about employees cell phone use during office hours.
In a lot of Las Vegas sports books, they've installed anti-cell phone devices which block the signals inside the building.
I'd say this will definitely be a growth industry. | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/25/2007 12:34:10 PM | Ya know,if there ever was a pet peeve with me this has got to be it.I threw away my cell phones in 2001,and I might add,watches too.My wife thought that I had gone bonkers.
First let me give you a little history.It was probably somewhere around 1983 or 84 that I bought my first cell phone and I believed in the concept so fervently that I spent 2,750.00 to have a cell phone installed in one of my dump trucks.Ya you read it right,twenty-seven hundred and fifty buckeroos.Now days they give you the damm phone to get you to sign up.
The cost per minute to operate was .45 cents,but it made me lots of bucks.As the years went by I eventually evolved to the smaller versions that you could put in your pocket,but also became increasingly aware that folks were becoming addicted to this modern day invention.Ya see,when it gets to the point that something is taking over your life it`s time to cash in your chips on go on to other endevors.I have probably written before about how cell phones turn me off,and I could go on and on about the situations that revolve around the damm cell phones that I constantly find myself confronted with on a daily basis.Suffice it to say,that virtually everywhere I go folks have a damm cell phone glued to their ear.I can only add this,if I wanted to be dropping the eves,I would actively seek out those opportunities to do so.Having said that,I dont like to be forced to encounter this social phenomenon every place that I go.At this stage in my life I see one and only one situation where a cell phone would be needed and that is in the event that I needed to call the under-taker while in the middle of the desert driving like a bat out of hell to get away from all these folks that have these funny little instruments glued to their ears.  | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/25/2007 12:53:16 PM | Don't have one, won't have one.
I have a answering machine. If it is important leave a message,
I will always return a call. Otherwise wait until I get home and speak to me in person.
Lived without them all these years so why should it be important now.
Besides if it is an emergency you will always find someone with one you can borrow.
Lots available. lol  | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/25/2007 1:00:47 PM | Thanks for posting this article, OP. I hate hate *hate* cell phones with a passion. I don't have one and probably never will. I'm phonophobic anyway and usually keep my home phone's ringer turned off. A cell phone can be a life saver for a woman (or man) travelling alone and getting lost or into an accident, like roll down a river bank where nobody sees you, but otherwise, 99% of the stuff people talk about on cell phones is unimportant nonsense. I so hope that something will happen so that all the cell phone towers will stop woking and with them all the cell phones, to force people to lay off those damn things. 
Ninki | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/26/2007 9:25:12 AM | .
OP: I agree with the post wholeheartedly. This “instant communication” world has become a detriment to personal interaction.
True, moist of us have cell phones. I do. But, in my case, it is my only phone. Why would I need two? However, I do not always carry my cell phone with me. Actually, I seldom do.
And another thing, when with friends, whether it be lunch, dinner, a party, or whatever, our cell phones are turned off. That’s only common courtesy. After all, we are there to talk with each other, not babble on the phone with whoever may call.
I’ve got to admit that I get a kick out of watching people shopping and talking on the phone to someone deciding which product to purchase. Controlled behavior, anyone? On the other hand, I’ll have to admit that I also did that once. But, I was buying a new headset then and so called a friend to get a report on how it sounded.
Simply put, my cell phone is always on at home because it is my primary phone. While out in public, though, it’s usually switched off.
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/26/2007 11:03:24 AM | I feel there is nothing wrong with cell phones...except for my crappy ass network...it is the people who get carried away... as with everything else... that causes problems. Technology is amazing. Even though we have cell phones and emails... we do still have paper...we have choices on how to communicate how awesome is that?  | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/26/2007 11:27:13 AM | It's not the cell phones as much as it is obsessive/compulsive behavior on behalf of people who can't stop talking to people for fear they'll lose them or something.
There's some evolved trait about human beings that we need to congregate and communicate. That's probably why we live in large cities, and probably lived and traveled in packs like hyenas before we became civilized. It's hard to understand how humans could have survived without doing that, as there are many animals more fit for survival who are natural predators of humans; especially in the areas where humans were known to have lived...
However, this trait is very much more developed in some humans than others. Cell phones would make it much easier for these people to indulge their own tendencies in this regard.
In short; I feel sorry for the people they're always calling up and talking to. I can't stand having to be accountable at all times to someone else... | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 1/26/2007 12:00:06 PM | I really think a lot of it has to do with peoples insecurities.If you constantly have to be in touch it tells me you can`t stand to be alone with your-self,imho,I might add.Some folks just can`t get off the damm thing,one call after another.It`s been my observation that a lot of folks shop and talk,eat and talk,drive and talk,walk and talk,run and talk,watch the movies and talk,stand in line waiting to get their goodies and talk,jump out of a perfectedly good airplane and talk,rafting down the Colorado River and talk,hiking in the mountains and talk,go on a cruise and talk,{just a minute,I have to pause and answer this call}talk while in court,{and I might add not to the judge}talking while in the bathroom,{some people may even talk in the shower}talking on the phone while attempting to talk on another phone,{you will have to excuse me, while I go look in the mirror to check myself out to see if I look ok with this silly device stuck in my ear}and probably some folks do the deed while talking on the phone.
Did I leave anything out?...............I gotta go buy a cell phone,Im missing all the fun... | |
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e-wok
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Joined: 9/25/2006
Msg: 12 | |
| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 2/11/2007 4:22:51 AM | I can't wait for the i-Phone and then I can truly be linked my 'collective'...you are
not Borg until you have one. It's gonna have: tv, mp3, voice message, text
message, news links, video gaming, chat......if you thought it was
annoying to see people fiddling with it now, just wait....
Some times you need to tune in to tune out. | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 2/11/2007 10:41:44 AM | I don't own a cell phone, and don't feel there's a need to have someone calling me anywhere.
Have you ever notice when you're out, that people are zoned out, even disconnected to their surroundings?
The need for having a cell phone is never being out of touch or desire for the latest hi-tech gadget. If you're in a profession that requires you to be available, its understandable to need a cell phone or pager to be reached. The level of owning a cell phone has brought on rudeness to even identity theft, since people aren't paying attention to what or whom is listening to their discussion.
Having a cell phone some may view it as vital link and can't live without listening to the ringer on the phone or wanting to text msg. This is where addiction therapist and other specialist are seeing clients that are wired, may have ear problems to even sleep disturbances, all due to their cell phones.
Unless you're the govenor, medical, law enforcement fields, and deal with life and death decision, no one is going to die without an immediate answer. Its called, leave me a message and wait for phone call. | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 2/11/2007 11:43:08 AM | | I have the Virgin Mobile, prepaid. I paid $65.00 last year for 12 months activation or only less than $6.00 per month!!!. My minutes roll over every month,.because I so seldom use them. I got it for emergencies and convience however I have never had an emergency and very seldom need it for convience. I prefer my home phone it is more comfortable to use and easier to see the keys to punch in the numbers!! | |
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ousu
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Joined: 6/2/2005
Msg: 15 | |
| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 2/11/2007 2:47:36 PM | As said some people get addicted to drugs, some to gambling, some to TV (you know that nice alpha state into which you enter when just staring something)... they always find something to which to get addicted ;) If I recall it right, it can be also a genetic tendency.
I have not had a landline for a decade and see a mobile phone as a natural way to be reached when I want to be reached. I can have my phones on silent mode for days, and check just messages. (I think I still have four mobiles at home - not sure since I always lose my stuff.) | |
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e-wok
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Joined: 9/25/2006
Msg: 16 | |
| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 2/11/2007 2:56:13 PM | It's not neccessarily an addiction, people. It's about staying in contact with
your people, friends or business; we're a social bunch.
I think the only people who have addiction problems with their cells are
those who are constantly upgrading to the newest model, paying for
ring tones...they have no clue about the cost of all that. It's lost money
and investment that adds up to THOUSANDS of dollars upon retirement.
What do you want when you retire; a) a new cell phone with cool ring tones or b) a
bitchin' new car, and world tour as a retirement gift for yourself? I know some
will vote for a cell phone. | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 2/15/2007 11:11:32 AM | This is a story of a man who could have drowned in Niagara Falls as a result of trying to retrive his cell phone.
Daring Rescue at Niagara Falls
Created: 2/11/2007 8 46 AM
Updated: 2/12/2007 5 12 PM
A Pennsylvania tourist has quite a story to tell after having to be rescued from an ice covered slope at Niagara Falls State Park Saturday.
Waldek Kubicki, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, was with a friend when he dropped his cell phone while taking pictures at Terrapin Point.
While trying to get his phone back, Kubicki lost his footing and slid down some 150 yards.
The friend, Sebastian Belowski, also of Pennsylvania, ran to State Park Police Headquarters to get help even though he could not speak English.
After arriving on the scene, patrol members lowered themselves down and placed a harness and rescue line on Waldemar and pulled him to safety.
The 29-year-old man was treated for exposure, but was otherwise uninjured.
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 5/4/2007 3:33:29 PM | I met a beautiful, fun, wonderful woman a while ago here on pof.
Instant chemistry, tons of texts, emails, calls and time together. One morning after an absolutely incredible night, dinner and...fun, I woke up and grabbed a quick shower as I had to get to work in a bit.
I hopped out of the shower and bounded into the bedroom only to find her checking her blackberry. She was on pof. She tried to discreetly put it away but the damage was done. (yes, she had female friends on here, but those she knew best/communicated with used her regular email)
(And for those of you smartas_es out there...she did use the right name at the right time, so that wasn't the issue)
With that being said, I tend to agree with the article/OP.  | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 5/10/2007 10:37:31 AM | I believe that technology is great when used in the right way. Have we let computers, cell phones and other techno- tools replace our basic need for one on one relationships with people in HUGGABLE DISTANCE? Will Hallmark start producing birthday and holiday cards to send to our techno-tools? MERRY CHRISTMAS , COMPAQ PRESARIO!!We are entering the TWILITE ZONE for sure!!!
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 5/10/2007 11:39:55 AM | | It sure looks that way they way I see people on them all the time, and now they got that blue tooth thing in their ear so it looks like they're talking to themselves. I don't even have a cell phone. I just don't need one. I have an answering machine and a cordless phone at work. When I'm not near either one its also because I don't need one. That's what my answering machine is for. | |
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| Addicted to phones? Cell phone use becoming a major problem for some, expert says
Posted: 5/10/2007 12:13:12 PM | | I live near my high school. When I drive by when the students are being dismissed they are walking in groups not talking to each other but on their cell phones. My classmates would light up cigarettes and talk to each other about our schoolday! Maybe cell phones are an improvement over cigarettes LOL!! Maybe they are talking to others in the group or to their friends that are else where? Are we raising a generation that can only relate through cell phones , text messages, and e-mails rather than face-to-face conversations? | |
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