What makes smartphones so addictive?
We tend to criticize the younger generation, but in reality the rest of us are also to blame.
Why has such a harmless looking rectangular object, become such an indispensable part of life?
Is it the variety of information that can be instantly accessed, or communication by phoning, texting, or emailing?
Is it viewing Facebook posts or catching up on general social media?
It`s hard to believe that the smartphone as we know it today, did not exist in the early 1990s, although basic mobile phones with limited technology were in their infancy, and originally used only for incoming and outgoing calls.
No matter where one goes, everyone is staring at a mobile smartphone.
On the train, bus, queues, waiting rooms, indeed wherever there is a moment of inactivity, everyone reaches for their phone.
It has become an addiction which reaches out and makes it almost impossible not to switch on and see what everyone else is up to.
LIFE BEFORE THE SMARTPHONE?
How did we live before?
Did it matter what was happening in the celebrity world, or seeing pictures of social events, or finding out which topics everyone is commenting on?
How did we exist if we couldn`t order something from Amazon whilst travelling, pay a bill, or finding out train times?
The answer is that life did go on, although at a slower pace, without instant access to communication and information.
LANDLINE FOR TALKING:
Everything took longer to do but there was more active communication with people, as the landline phone and personal visits were the way to get things done.
Take booking a holiday for example.
One would normally have gone to a travel agent where brochures for different destinations would be available.
Many happy hours would be spent deciding on where to go?
The travel agent would help by giving prices and useful information, and advising on destinations, accommodation, weather, transfers and currency.
It was generally a fairly relaxing and enjoyable experience, and perhaps would take a few days or longer to set up. It was part of the holiday, as from the day of booking, the anticipation and count down began.
EVERYTHING SPEEDED UP!
Today, the whole transaction can be done on a smartphone from any location.
Flights, dates, costs, temperatures, accommodation currency and transfers, all at the touch of a screen.
Of course the smartphone is just an extension of the Internet which has been revolutionizing our lives since the 1990s.
LAP TOP COMPUTER:
Computers have been around for longer than we as individuals have been using them, as originally they were part of the business and scientific communities.
However, once the Internet became available, that seems to be when the addiction started.
We couldn`t wait to find out all sorts of information and make contacts through email.
Social media intensified things, as it brought in a very personal dimension, which included celebrities and lifestyles.
Interaction between Facebook friends became non stop without a single word being uttered.
Interactive games also saw a huge increase, with people from around the world being able to take part from their own homes.
Smartphone experiences raise "happy" levels, as users are always looking for the feel good factor and positive feedback.
It is yet another example of ease, as the smartphone cuts out the hard work of yesteryear when objectives required a bit of work, both physically and mentally.
It is an amazing piece of technology and can solve so many problems without one moving from home.
However, addiction means dependency, and that is what is happening to millions of people.
They cannot put their smartphones away for long, in case they miss something.
It could be an incoming social media post, some positive celebrity news or finding out what everyone else is doing.
If they are cut off from their phones, they become anxious and irritable and feel they are missing out on something.
STUDENTS ON SMARTPHONES:
This has become a particular problem with school age students, who allow their phones to dominate their lives, and schools are having to take drastic action to try and control their use.
It must be particularly difficult for young people who have never known life without a smartphone, as any other method of dealing with life is unknown to them.
THE FUTURE:
Clearly smartphones are here to stay and will become more and more sophisticated as further apps are added.
They are associated with a link to another world which one is part of, although in reality it can be a bit of a fantasy.
There is also the downside, when one does not feel part of that world and a feeling of isolation, anxiety and loneliness can creep in.
Many people have given up hobbies in order to spend more time on their smartphones, so there may not be a safety net there, should negativity be experienced, and an alternative to a smartphone be required.
Like most things in life, moderation is key. Smartphones are no different.
They are a wonderful pieces of technology to have and are useful and amazing. We must use them sensibly and not allow them to rule our lives, for at the end of the day, they are not human, (yet), and are no substitute for the human beings that we interact and have human relationships with.
We must not get the two muddled up!
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