“Nomophobia is the irrational fear of being without your mobile phone or being unable to use your phone for some reason, such as the absence of a signal or running out of minutes or battery power. The word nomophobia is a portmanteau made up of no + mobile + phone + phobia. The term was created by YouGov, a research organization based in the United Kingdom. In a 2008 study, researchers reported that 53% of mobile users felt anxious when they were unable to use their mobile phones and over half of the users never shut their phones off. Subsequent studies have found that the numbers have increased since then.” – quote from whatls.com
Our Universe in Our Hands
People are becoming more sociable in the isolated environment technology offers. Reality and fiction are being thrown into lives blender and produces a 3rd person realm personified on their devices. Our handheld devices have become our universe where all our contacts, social media, GPS, car services, food ordering, games, video entertainment, banking, calendars, and family photos are arranged.
Nomophobia Symptoms
Nomophobia is often associated with separation anxiety. Typical symptoms include increased heart rate and blood pressure, shortness of breath, anxiety, nausea, trembling, dizziness, depression, discomfort, fear, and panic. Studies show that common causes are low self-esteem and excessive perfection.
What are Tech Companies doing about it?
- Batteries: In the 70’s, an English chemist M. Stanley Whittingham, developed the lithium-ion battery technology we are relying on today. The only upgrade after that is the lithium-polymer battery only distinguished by the electrolyte it uses.
- Charging capabilities know as Qi standard is developed to induce electricity into the battery by means of wireless technology.
- Scientists at Aston University in the UK demonstrated a method in 2018 whereby high-power consumption apps can be operated from within the cloud, thus reducing power consumption on devices by 60%
With developers producing more advanced instruments, App developers are making use of these advancements by producing more options to the end-user. This then starts the ongoing cycle and the demand for more power to operate the device. The general release valve on the horizon seems to be 5G technology. Scientist are moving the focus from local stored information to cloud-based storage. Maybe this is the future, but skeptics as we are, clouds can evaporate and maybe lead to greater Nomophobia?
