As we enter into the second day of Lent, many Christians have taken to fasting. Many have elected to fast from Facebook, Twitter, television and other forms of technology.
Have you heard of anyone fasting from their cell phone?
It almost sounds silly, doesn’t it?
In the last decade, cell phones have transitioned from luxury to necessity. At least it has transitioned in our minds as we’ve been conditioned over time.
What if you were without your cell phone?
How would you react?
Depending on your answers to the following questions, you may have Nomophobia.
From the Los Angeles Times:
- Do you feel anxious if your cellphone isn’t nearby?
- Does just the thought of losing your phone make your heart pound?
- Do you keep an extra phone on hand, just in case your primary phone breaks?
- Do you sometimes take it to bed with you?
If you answered, ‘yes,’ you have nomophobia, but you’re not alone!
Survey Says!
According to a United Kingdom poll, 66% of 1,000 people surveyed say they fear losing or being without their phone. Four years ago, a similar survey reviled 53% suffered from nomophobia, so the phobia is undoubtably on the rise.
SecurEnvoy’s study found that 70% of female respondents fear losing their phones, compared with 61% of male respondents.
The discrepancy in the numbers may even be due to the fact that men are more likely to have two phones, in case the first one breaks are is lost.
The survey also showed a division among age segments, which is not surprising, considering those 18-24 have literally grown up with them.
People 18-24 tend to be the most nomophobic (77%), followed by people aged 25-34 (68%). The third most nomophobic group is 55 and older.
For those interested in being cured, you can undergo exposure therapy or even consider medication.
Fighting the Addiction
Despite all the awesomeness of cell phones and smartphones, it has lead to a socially acceptable addiction.
As Christians, we need to be mindful of nomophobia, and if we have it, free ourselves from it.
Do you have nomophobia?
Does it matter?
Eric Dye
Support Lead at Valet, and Proprietor of DYECASTING. Human by day, gamer at night, lover of coffee, and all things spicy.
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