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Is cell phone overuse morphing into an addiction among our youth?

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Insightful research by the Youth Research Unit (YRU) of the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) within the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) shows that symptoms experienced by youth (12-18 years) due to cell phone overuse are greatly comparable to those experienced in research studies on substance, gambling and online gaming addiction.

Evidence emerging from the BMR research study among 5 000 adolescents in the Gauteng province shows that cell phone overuse is adversely affecting the social, physical and psychological well-being and health of many modern-day youngsters.  On average, adolescents self-proclaim to spend an average of three hours daily on cell phone activities (i.e. texting, Internet access, gaming and listening to music) which lead to the study to label contemporary adolescents as ‘nomophobes’, ‘Internetomanias’ and ‘textaholics’.

Although the BMR study acknowledges that cell phones, if managed responsibly, play an important role in youth identity formation, these devices can be negatively reinforcing, especially when providing easy and immediate relief from feelings of anxiety, social exclusion, or boredom.  The infographic highlights some of the typical signs and symptoms prevalent among adolescents dependent on cell phones and the Internet accessed via cell phones.

Signs and symptoms of cell phone and Internet overuse

The BMR research clearly shows that cell phones have been immersed into the lifestyles of many learners. Some learners are showcasing responsible cell phone usage by, among others, turning off cell phones in class and at night before going to sleep, using it as a learning tool, and setting daily time limits for cell phone usage. On the one hand, these promising cell phone habits make adolescents feel safer, confident, relaxed and in control of their lives.  However, the BMR findings also display preventive strategies and a self-acknowledgement of the potential negative consequences that can result from cell phone overuse.

*By Prof Deon Tustin (Head: Bureau of Market Research)

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Publish date: 2017-05-16 00:00:00.0

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