Hajra finds the most interesting topics. I didn’t even know what “nomophobia” meant until she brought it up as a topic suggestion. See what else Hajra is talking about over here! Take it away Hajra!
Just a few weeks back I was reading about Nomophobia. Nomophobia is the fear of staying away from your mobile; the term being an abbreviation for no mobile phone phobia.
Now for me this is a very surprising thing: are we really so addicted to our phones that we actually had to coin a word for it?
At a family get-together recently, I was surprised to see how my younger and [some older] members of the family are alert about the movements their mobile is making. Not a single vibration or a beep is gone unnoticed [or unattended – whichever meaning you intended]. Call me old school, but family gathering always meant that mobile should be in your purses or stored away from the dinner table and unless you aren’t expecting a very serious call, there isn’t really anything to worry about.
Now I see people in buses, on roads, in coffee shops or just about everywhere being constantly busy on their mobiles. An article by the Huffington Post reports that according to a British survey about 66 percent of us are afraid to be away from their mobiles. It just gets worse.
Teenagers actually claim to use the mobile phone to “lift their mood”. What happened to good old television or just books for good company?
Mobiles are a necessity in today’s life and there’s no two ways about it. But is it so necessary for us to be in constant touch with it? When I was in college, I admit to have being a little addicted to my smart phone especially when they launched the chat options and it felt like talking to our friends the whole time!
Is it tough for you to stay away from your mobile phones, even for an hour? Do you feel the urge to check it again and again? Do you check your mobile first thing in the morning, even before you get out of bed?
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My boyfriend was just talking about this the other day - specifically how everyone gets in such a panic when the plane lands that they instantly whip them out and "plug back in." For me, it's definitely been about finding that balance (surprise, surprise - I always seem to take it there, don't I? ;) ). Specifically I am grateful for my phone to allow me to quickly clear my emails and connect on social media...but because it IS so easy to get sucked into the vortex I set limits on myself.In fact, my boyfriend is usually surprised when I let it ring and beep in the other room without checking to see who it is or what it's for. Texts go unanswered for hours and I'm finally getting my email time down to twice a day. I value the connection but as Sandi says it is truly there to work for me - not me work for it!
@Sabrina at MyMiBoSo Makes sense. I can go hours without responding to the beeps my mobile phone makes! It really doesn't matter to me at all. I see how some people panic and just have to respond to every beep!
As for the switching on the mobile phone as soon as the airplane lands, not many know that it is safer to keep it off while landing and until the plane is docked. Now, as soon as the plane lands, I hear so many beeps and welcome messages!
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I love my phone but as I tell my friends, I have it for my convenience not theirs! Which means that I rarely answer it. I check messages, text, take lots of photos, answer emails, etc....but actually talking on it? Not so much ;)
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@Sandi Amorim That's an empowering way to use this tool Sandi! Too often I think we get a tool for convenience and it ends up being the opposite of that.
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@Sandi Amorim Nice, so you aren't constantly scanning your phone or typing on it to no ends! Maybe we need to draw the line between necessity and addiction, that is where we might go a little confused!
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@Hajra Well, I have my moments but not when I'm with people. The thing that bugs me most is when people are obsessing over their phones while they're with other people, say at lunch or visiting. Incredibly rude and I'm not afraid to say so! Nicely of course, but hey...if you've asked to spend time with me, then spend time with me and NOT your phone!
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@Sandi Amorim Totally understandable. Its like they are out for lunch with their phone!
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Yes, yes and yes!
I am wholly addicted to social media and my smartphone is my access to that world when I am away from my desk.
BUT! When we have dinner we put the smartphones away. When I have a conversation with someone face to face I put it away. Communication is critical in my world and it gets my undivided attention. The silent option works wonders. C'est tout ce ca.
Excellent question!
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@rdopping Yikes!
I still haven't got a smart phone (just a regular phone that helps me check my email now and then!).
I hate it when I am having face to face and people are busy glancing at their mobiles every other minute! Face to face communication is priority always!
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@Hajra @rdopping That's the worst part of cell phones and we can't blame it on the phones can we? ;-)
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@Lori @rdopping We definitely can't! And we can't tell the person about it... don't people realize how rude it is? :(
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i didn't know what nomophobia is until I read your post, @hajraks and now that I know, I am glad I don't have it. To copycat @KDillabough , my answers to your question are no, no, no. But, to NOT copycat @Bill Dorman That's not all. :D When I bought my current phone, I switched from a basic cellphone to a smartphone. My only spec was a good camera. The guy at the shop wanted to sell me a more advanced model (I think) and did the salestalk on me....and probed, asking, what I used the phone for, the most? And I blurted "missed calls". Enough said. I like my cellphone because it takes good photos, and that is convenient because I enjoy walking and capturing scenes along the way. (you know :D). Other than that, it is a great way for family to get in touch in an emergency. That's it.
Thank you, @Lori - hugs!
@Vidya Sury @hajraks @KDillabough @Bill Dorman @Lori Thanks Vidya! I think most of us do know how much we are using it for. But seeing so many people around who are addicted to it each minute and just "can't live without it", it gets a little scary.
I do attend calls. But I don't have a long list of criteria while buying the phone. Just about whatever meets my needs. And I don't feel the need to be using it every moment.
Wonder why people do that?
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@Hajra @hajraks @KDillabough @Bill Dorman @Lori Hajra - I think it is probably because there's comfort in holding the phone, knowing that it is a means of connection with others, when face-to-face doesn't happen. I know people who successfully run their lives through their phones. :-)
@Vidya Sury @Hajra @hajraks @KDillabough @Bill @Lori Interesting. Maybe the online world tends to make us like that, but it would be a huge thing to say about our comfort levels. Are we really not comfortable outside our laptops?
I tend to speak to my friends more often than meet them but then I make sure I meet them too. Or lives takes us places and talking is way "easier" than actually meeting up! So maybe yes.
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@Hajra @hajraks @KDillabough @Bill Dorman @Lori Mostly, Hajra. They'd rather talk for a couple of hours on the phone than go and meet up. I've discovered another interesting thing - people are shy/nervous/hesitant to meet face to face. They are more secure in a digital life - and voice communication is big deal. :-) Now don't go doubting the company I keep. I actually did a quick informal survey, because I am basically WYSIWYG. So I find this new trend rather intriguing.
@Vidya Sury @hajraks @KDillabough @Bill Dorman @Lori Running their lives through phone as in the phone being the only way of interaction or what?
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Hi Hajra, Hi Everyone! Like Betsy, I don't have a cell phone. Doesn't matter, though, because my iPod can do everything a Cell phone can except accept calls. That is, I can text (to another i-product owner), Skype, FaceTime, etc. I'm becoming more and more connected to it as it connects me to my daughter. I don't have nomophobia, I don't think I do, but I do take it to bed - it's my alarm clock - is that a good excuse?
I was in the "no" camp before my upgrade included a messaging-to-my-daughter feature. Now I'm hooked.
:o
@Lori You don't? Surprising! Like I told @BetsyKCross I can't imagine my life without a cell phone; I am not addicted, but I don't know what I would do if there wasn't one near me!
I take my phone to bed too! It is my alarm clock! I have a new app that helps me send messages and photos free across to mobile phone, I am addicted!
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@Hajra @BetsyKCross The new iPods are so close to phones that if they sold dataplans for them, like they do for the iPads, no one would need a phone at all, so I sort of have a cell phone ;-) I don't really need a cell phone since I work at home. One of the things that signifies work for me is answering the phone. While I love doing that during hours, I LOVE NOT doing it when I'm off. So to be tethered to a phone when I'm in town or elsewhere is not for me!
For me, as I said, it's a connection to my daughter. I can understand how, for her, for example, it's a connection to her friends, a planning tool for her social life as well. I've been on both sides now so I can't really judge!
@Lori @BetsyKCross Makes sense, some people do need it. Especially when after school we move out to different places, so we need it to keep in touch with our friends - messaging always makes it easier to sty in touch all the time! :)
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My answers to your questions? No, No and No. To quote our friend Bill: That.is.all. Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough Good for you lady! A no in this case is always better than a yes!
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I don't own a cellphone. Friends and family want me to get one, but for now I'm fine without one. Slows me down and gives me space to breath!
Yes! I would definitely suffer from nomophobia if I started, I'm sure!
@BetsyKCross We should highlight this comment if we can! I cannot do without a cell phone but I am not addicted to it. But yes, I need it.
How do you manage to keep in touch with family and friends? Your home phone?
It is easy to get addicted, ya?
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@hajra "I cannot do without a cell phone but I am not addicted to it"
hmm...being devil's advocate ...isn't the definition of 'addicition' not being able to live without something?
@StaceyMJHughes @hajra LOL! What I meant was I need it to keep in touch with family and that is my only way to communication to people (I don't have a home phone!) but I still am not the 24 x 7 texting, typing person. If you keep me away for a few hours, I wouldn't panic!
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@Hajra A cellphone is a luxury not a necessity for me. I use the phone and Facebook for now. My life is getting more complicated, so I may have to get something soon. But I was thinking about the pre-cellphone days when it was imperative to plan and to schedule and then stick to those plans. People were more patient with getting a hold of each other. I can be talking to my daughter now and she'll have her head down texting...she has no clue how rude that is.
Perhaps, in a very nice way, I'll tell her!
@BetsyKCross It comes down to what is really our need and what luxury, I like how you can differentiate between the two. In addition to this I always wonder how many of us actually need it every second of the day!
Just tell her, kids need to listen to that too!
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Hi, Hajra, lovely to see you here! Nomophobia - you had me there, thanks for the explanation.
No, I do not need to have my mobile with me at all times and yes, I do have it with me practically all the time. Not because I have the urge to stay in touch with my small world but I love the camera app and as you know I take pictures all the time. Or, am I deluding myself?
I find it a sad sight when I look into a restaurant and everybody has only eyes for the mobile in front of them. Imagine one of our ancestors could see this, what would they feel, how would they react?
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first off, our ancestors would roll over in their graves at the thought of us spending hard earned money on food prepared by other people when we could eat at home at a fraction of the price. :DJust saying :)
@StaceyMJHughes My mom still says that.... and "food cooked at home will keep you healthy longer, you never know what they put into your food at hotels"!
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@StaceyMJHughes LOL, Stacey! You are so right, I hear my grandfather speaking. Eating out was only for very very special occasions such as a 50th wedding anniversary.
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@Late_Bloomers @StaceyMJHughes LOL! My grandpa likes eating out, my mom does not. But then, we tell her to cook, she is a brilliant cook!
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@Late_Bloomers My sister uses her mobile for photos as well. She says its like her camera and phone in one. Actually her priority while buying a phone is that it should have a good camera. So there you go, maybe it is the photographer in you doing all the choices!
My grandpa gets extremely angry when we bring our phone to the dinner table. He says that is one time where we real'y can do without it. He still doesn't have a cell phone and doesn't want to buy one.
Even my parents don't like us any of us bringing our mobiles to the dinner table. I don't know how many families go by that "rule"!
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@Hajra This is amazing, I was actually thinking of my grandfather when I wrote the comment, he would have thrown a fit if anybody had brought a mobile to the table.
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@Late_Bloomers @Hajra My grandpa still does! LOL!
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Nice to see you here once again Hajra - I'm glad this ways Lori can take it off too. :)
Ah...Happy to say I don't suffer from nomophobia...for that matter I hardly use my cell phone. :)
And I prefer it that ways - keep away from distractions is what I would call it. Yes, I do have a nice one but it's mainly used for receiving calls, which again are from my handful of good friends, family or Dad as such. I am the last person to ever make a call to anyone, nor do I do anything else on it. Just been that ways right from the start.
We didn't have cell phones at the time we were in college, but my kids do use it extensively! I keep telling them the harmful side-effects of over doing it too, but with teens it's tough to explain things. So, there's a time limit as to when they can use it and when they surrender their cells phones and concentrate on studies.
@Harleena Singh I am glad to be a part of LFI! And I am glad @Lori gets a day off like that! LOL!
It comes down to personal choices, how much are we ready to get addicted to the whole thing. Would you say your teens are addicted? I see my teen cousin and she clearly cannot live without it! She actually carries her phone to the bathroom!
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@Hajra - Not really addicted, but yes they always carry it with them. I guess that's why it works well when we put some restrictions on it's usage. :)
@Harleena Singh You make a very good point. It works well when you talk to them about it and what really is more important for them.
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Hi Hajra,I'm so glad it's a raining Saturday here in Moncton, NB...so I can participate in this awesome conversation. I believe that we as a society are TRULY addicted to the cell phone. My daughter even tells me of her high school teacher texting in class. I mean - even the 60 minute class isn't sacred anymore.However I'm not infallible. I too am addicted, though I'd like to believe that I CAN go without it. I TRY to always leave it in the car if I run in for coffee (gawd, that sounds pathetic that I have to "TRY" to do this)...and I periodically will try to set it aside. because you see I don't WANT to have an addiction, even though I know I do. I know how pathetic it looks watching others using their phones always and everywheres...IS this a bad thing, OR is it simply a sign of the times? I know that years ago, the invent of TV or the telephone had people up in arms as to how it was going to RUIN our kids, etc... I think we always are worried about change and sometimes we're downright scared.
@StaceyMJHughes Teachers texting in class? So not a right example. I go to college and my professor makes it a point to tell everyone that 'no cell phones" in class. We do get a break after every hour and we can do without it. But I see so many kids "sneaking" around and then getting into a argument.
Change does scare us but then we see it becoming a way of life for so many that we wonder why some of us fall into extremes - can do without it, cannot live without it! The differences are huge. I was in the bus yesterday and I saw everyone busy with their phones. This is not an exaggeration, everyone was busy with their phone (except of course the driver) and one guy missed his stop because he was busy texting.
Clearly, many of us are just too addicted! But is that a bad thing really?
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@Hajra BINGOI think sometimes I get annoyed and think /WHO are we to judge?/ what works for someone else? I understand if it's a spouse or parent. BUT if we're complaing about the people on the bus (and I'm NOT picking on you for mentioning it)...UNLESS it's the driver...it's NONE of our dang business....it's NOT hurting us... :) We sure are a judgmental sort of race aren't we (myself totally included in that)!
@StaceyMJHughes Oh yes, totally! We never know who of the many "addicted" people actually are needing it for genuinely important reasons and not just gaming and mindless texting. We are a judgmental race!
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@StaceyMJHughes It's funny how we used to get by with just land lines and pay phones, which are disappearing. Because we CAN reach people immediately, we feel we need to have that option available to us! What will the future look like? I don't know, wait while I google it on my iPod! ;-)
Lori - I am TOTALLY guilty of this. I 'expect' people to email me back right away! pathetic eh?
@StaceyMJHughes I panic after three days... I think three days is my limit! But yes, I always expect a reply...
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@Lori @StaceyMJHughes I still don't have an iPod or an iPad... do not need it!
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