SMARTPHONES are fast replacing computers as portals to internet access. In fact, the chances are roughly 57% that you just Googled ‘Nonomophobia’ on your phone.
If you haven’t, herein lies the irony:
‘Nomophobia is defined as the fear of being without your phone – a combination of the words no, mobile and phobia.’
Example: The heart-sinking dread you’re feeling as you scratch around an empty pocket that should have contained a cellphone.
Nomophobia, also known as the ‘Fear of Being Offline’ (FOBO) and ‘Phone Separation Anxiety’ (PSA), is a psychological syndrome where a person is afraid of being out of cellphone contact. Experts deem it to be one of the biggest non-drug addictions of the 21st century
Despite 50% of the almost 50-million South Africans living below the poverty line, the country boasts 23 million smartphone users. More than 75% among those in low-income groups, who are 15 years or older, own a mobile phone.
There are more mobile phones in South Africa than taxis, televisions and radios combined.
The addiction is seen as an obsessive-compulsive disorder by experts across the world, largely affecting young smartphone users who depend on the gadget to fit in, remain socially active and to stave off loneliness.
In a study conducted by Unisa, 64.7 % of respondents said they could not live without their mobile phones. Of these, 42.1% said they valued the devices as communication tools to connect with other people. About 23.3 % regarded them as their personal friends and 12.3% as tools providing entertainment.
According to this study, conducted by the University of Cape Town on the use of mobile phones by South African university students, female respondents showed greater signs of becoming addicted to smartphones.
The cure for Nomophobia? Simple! No more phone = no more phobia.
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