While being connected via mobile devices has had a positive impact on most people’s lives, and creates business opportunities, there can be a darker side to mobile: information overload.
Earlier this year, a Pew Research Center report declared that 2/3 of Americans had a smartphone thus giving them access to unlimited information in the palm of their hand. We’ve discussed before the increase in wearables and hearables and how people are becoming even more connected without even picking up a mobile device.
According to:
A recent survey by Statista shows that among all adults 18-65, 11 percent check their phones every few minutes. Forty-one percent check them at least a couple of times an hour.
But could all of this access give us information overload or worse, nomophobia?
Yes, nomophobia has been identified as the fear of being separated from your smartphone, and more so, the information you can retrieve from it. There’s even a quiz you can take to see if you might be suffering from the symptoms. For most of us, it might be easy to take a digital detox, but for sufferers of nomophbia the fear of missing out is a real problem.
If you have trouble focusing and feel the need to scroll or have a constant need to look at every push-notification that pops up, then you might need to take a break from your smartphone. A simple digital detox, where you put your smartphone down for a period of time, may help. Or simply being mindful about your smartphone use and realizing when you’ve been on Twitter too long and logging out is a start.
Mobile has the power to make meaningful connections but it also has the power to control us but only if we allow it.
Interested in the latest in mobility? Sign up for our email list.
