Mobile Addiction


Almost all adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 own a smartphone and these offer quick access to the internet and social media, which facilitates message transmissions or communication, plus a wide range of amusements such as games, multimedia players, photo albums and electronic books, and essential tools including camera.

Sings & Symptoms :
  • A need to use the cell phone more and more often in order to achieve the same desired effect.
  • Persistent failed attempts to use cell phone less often.
  • Turns to cell phone when experiencing unwanted feelings such as anxiety or depression.
  • Excessive use characterized by loss of sense of time.
  • Has put a relationship or job at risk due to excessive cell phone use.
  • Tolerance, Need for newest cell phone, more applications, or increased use.
  • Withdrawal, when cell phone or network is unreachable, person may face following problems :-
  • Anger
  • Tension
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
Treatment :
  • Make rules for yourself concerning your phone usage.

  • Set Time Periods in which you shouldn’t use your phone (i.e., 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.).

  • Designate Activities in which your phone is forbidden (e.g., driving, dinner time).

  • Schedule Break Times to access your phone or social media.

  • Individual therapy: The therapist works with you to address any underlying problems or co-occurring mental disorders that could be affecting cell phone use.

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy aims to change your maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors into healthy and positive ones. This method has been proven effective in treating Internet addiction, which is very similar to cell phone addiction.

  • Motivational Interviewing is centered around you, the client, helps to identify the difference between current state and desired state, and allows you to find motivation to make a positive behavioral change.

  • Pharmacotherapy: Although there are no current FDA-approved medications to treat smartphone addiction, when combined with psychotherapy, medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and psychostimulants can help to treat Internet addiction.