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are you a mobile junkie? |
scapevlocity
Joined: Sep 18, 2005
Posts: 290
From: the far reaches of the cosmos
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saw this in Mobile Burn: the Sydney Morning Herald:
"Australians are increasingly becoming so addicted to mobile phones they are suffering anxiety and self-esteem problems akin to substance abuse, a researcher says.
Brisbane-based consumer behaviour researcher Diana James said with Australia owning a collective 19 million mobiles, they had become a "huge part" of people's social lives.
So much so, excessive mobile users were experiencing personal problems ranging from agitation if forced to turn them off, to low self-esteem if they didn't receive calls or texts, she said.
"Like substance abuse, excessive use of mobile phones can lead to personal problems," said Ms James, from the Queensland University of Technology's School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations.
"Because they can provide immediate pleasure, if you're not careful mobile phones can become as much of an addiction as snacking on junk food or smoking.
"Without their phone, people feel like they are out of the loop."
Preliminary research among 80 Queensland residents from different backgrounds aged between 17 and 52 had found some were obsessed with their phones, becoming on edge if parted from them, she said.
"Some suffered withdrawal symptoms if they didn't receive calls or text messages, which could lead to anxiety and self-esteem problems," Ms James said.
"In some cases, some said they suffered sleep deprivation and even repetitive strain injury as they lay awake at night texting on their mobile."
She said while she conducted focus groups comprising university students, some "panicked" when asked to turn their phone off during discussion.
"They were afraid - they were quite agitated and were relieved when the session was over and they could turn their phone back on and check for messages," Ms James said.
"This isn't something just experienced by these students because I've looked at other pieces of research, international and national, that are evidence this is an extensive and growing area for investigation."
She said she hoped to attract 2,000 participants to her online survey at http://www.mobilesurvey.com.au by May 31 to further analyse the "emotional, psychological, financial and social impact" of skyrocketing mobile phone use across the nation.
Tell-tale signs of mobile phone addiction included irrational reactions when away from a mobile phone as well as huge bills, Ms James said."
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[ This Message was edited by: scapevlocity on 2006-04-09 01:33 ]
[ This Message was edited by: scapevlocity on 2006-04-09 02:06 ] |
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pinoy_plasma
Joined: Apr 10, 2005
Posts: 10
From: Philippines
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hmmm, interesting. it has always been a mea culpa thingy for me, mobile phone use is a choice, a choice which has its assets but with liabilty as well. and nowadyas, everything can cause anxiety, eveything can cause addiction. but at the end of the day, it has always been and forever it will be, i think, a choice. |
Ifedisky
Joined: Mar 26, 2006
Posts: 14
From: Lagos,Nigeria
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Depends very much on the individuals definition of addiction.But I think there's an overwhelming dependance on mobile phones particularly the feature rich,multimedia phones.Take away GPRS from my phone and I'm dead+buried.Guess that's addiction? |
masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sydney, London
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I don't think I exhibit any of the psychological disorders or problems mentioned there but I can say without a doubt that I am most definitly a mobile junkie
I even brought 3 phones to oz with me this week! a K750, k-jam and V3
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deluded
Joined: Sep 14, 2005
Posts: > 500
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Yup, i gotta admit that i'm a mobile phone junkie, but not guilty of the symptoms though. I can live without a mobile phone, but it'll definitely make my life easier having one.
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chili
Joined: Dec 09, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Philippines
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Knowing Aussie sense of humor, i'm pretty sure some of those "subjects" were hamming it up with the "symptoms!"  |
victorh017
Joined: Jul 24, 2005
Posts: 379
From: Caracas, Venezuela
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Well, this doesn't come as a surprise.
A while ago there was a thread here on esato in which they asked: "Do you turn your cell phone at night?" or something similar and like 95% of the people who participated say they didn't. That is definitely a sign of addicition, I don't see the point of being "available" 24/7.
And some of those guys claim to be married.... And I wondered, how can they achieve intimacy (and please understand that 'intimacy' is not only sex) with their spouses/kids if they have the need of being available to the 'exterior world' at all times???
Interesting article, and yes, this is getting serious. 
 CMDJ5 > T230 > T610 > K700i > K750i > K810i > K850i > G900 RED > C905 Gold |
carkitter
Joined: Apr 29, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Auckland, NZ
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My wife and I agree - I'm a mobile phone junkie.
A week ago I misplaced my mobile phone and the anxiety I felt was incredible. I couldn't sleep, could'nt concentrate and became obsessed with trying to track it down which proved ultimately futile. Within 2 days I bought a replacement which allowed me to calm down.
I never turn my phone off, feel naked without it and am obsessed with finding a way to use EVERY feature. I am the only person I know of who sends Multimedia messages instead of txt.
I only buy feature packed premium phones which I must admit cost more than I can afford. I sometimes feel frustrated that others don't buy phones which can recieve PXT, MMS, Video PXT and Video calls from me.
My wife wants me to sign up for the online survey but it's for Aussies only.
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[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2006-04-09 06:24 ] |
scapevlocity
Joined: Sep 18, 2005
Posts: 290
From: the far reaches of the cosmos
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don't take this as an offense, but... i don't know whether to take you seriously or to laugh hysterically.  if you'd allow the latter, i'd say you and your wife have a pretty good sense of humor.
though i must admit that i've never ever lost a phone in my entire history with mobile phones. i check periodically whether or not i still have it in my pocket. actually, most times i keep my hand in my pocket, with my phone clasped in my hand.
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selling:BRAND NEW: iPod video 30gb /
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Anghang!
[ This Message was edited by: scapevlocity on 2006-04-09 06:29 ] |
deluded
Joined: Sep 14, 2005
Posts: > 500
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Heh... I've been careful enough to avoid the agony of misplacing my phone. While i may be able to restrain myself when it comes to getting too obsessed with my phone, i think i'd definitely go crazy if i were to lose my phone. I think even more so than losing my wallet. And thats even though i always backup everything i have in my phone. Oh well, anyway, always, always backup.
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carkitter
Joined: Apr 29, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Auckland, NZ
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I didn't realise quite how mobile phones affected me 'til last week.
And yeah, the missus is A1.
Oh BTW, I don't own a MP3 player, digital camera, diary, address book or even a watch. I rely on my mobile to do all these things. Fortunately 99% of my info was backed up.
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jasond
Joined: Dec 31, 2005
Posts: 408
From: Australia
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Agreeing with carkitter, that having everything on one device is an absolute godsend. I don't know myself since I put my diary on my phone! Not having to carry a black book of dates around with me to work and etc is fantastic.
I leave my phone on at night mainly because it's too annoying to turn it on, put in the PIN, and wait for any text messages to pipe through each and every morning. With the charger near my bed, there's no concern of battery depletion. If I lived with my girlfriend, this may be different, but right now everything is working for leaving my phone on over night, and keeping it on my person always, otherwise.
This is all of interest to me, however, and being Australian, I'll sign up for the survey and keep you folks posted.
T65> K700i> K750i> K800i> Mars. |
j.musser
Joined: Apr 07, 2008
Posts: 45
From: Daytona Beach,Fl.
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I knew I had a problem when I was shopping and thought I lost my phone. I immediately stopped what I was doing and the look on my face must have been pure horror due to an absolute stranger stopped by and asked if I needed help because I looked so frantic and distressed! When I found it in my purse the wave of sweet relief was ALMOST INTOXICATING. |
Twometre
Joined: May 12, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Manzini, Swaziland
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Iam so addicted to my phone such that I have very little friends where I live. At most when I want to talk to friends and laught I go to the internet. That is where most of my reliable friends are.
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aldrinus
Joined: Jan 16, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Philippines
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i am and i think will always be  |
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Posted: 2006-04-09 02:29
CMDJ5 > T230 > T610 > K700i > K750i > K810i > K850i > G900 RED > C905 Gold
