Usually one resorts to browsing his smartphone in many situations and places, whether that is while riding the bus or when sitting in the waiting room of the doctor or even while sitting on the couch to watch a boring movie in the evening, and in many cases one needs a strong will to give up such These habits.
Many parents fear that their children's use of a smartphone will turn into a form of addiction, but Tim Aldrenk, head of the Psychological Institute at the Schönklinik Hospital in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, explained that smartphone addiction cannot be determined simply by the constant grasping of mobile devices, and added that "there are criteria. Different to determine the extent of smartphone addiction. "
Loss of control
When talking about smartphone addiction, the loss of control is an important matter, as one cannot control the behavior of using a smartphone, so he uses it in inappropriate situations, for example when eating dinner in a restaurant with friends, or when a person is tired and in need of Sleep, but can not stop using the smartphone.
The potential addiction to smartphones can be noticed when there is a major shift in priorities, and that is when work tasks or hobbies decrease and become less important than using a smartphone.
The problem also becomes clear when the negative consequences of using a smartphone appear, and yet a person continues to use his mobile device excessively, especially if friends turn away from him or he has problems at school.
Aldrenk, a specialist in smartphone addiction, pointed out that the duration of the use of a smartphone is not an indication of its addiction, and added that there are many who use the smartphone for 5 hours a day outside the professional context, but there is another more important thing: "If the smartphone is not used for fun or entertainment Rather, to escape from loneliness or frustration, then it becomes a problem. "
Simple measures
Among the simple measures that help a person get rid of a smartphone addiction, stop notifications, including vibration alerts, and there are features such as "Screen Time" on devices running Apple "iOS" or the application "Digital Wellbeing" "(Digital Wellbeing) for Google Android devices, it shows the user the number of times he used the smartphone and the duration of use, and these numbers may represent a strong motivation to limit the use of the smartphone.
Smartphone addiction appears when used in inappropriate situations (Reuters)
Therefore, one has to put the smartphone in another room while watching a movie, or put it in a backpack while taking a walk on the beach in order to enjoy the picturesque landscapes, and there is no need to take pictures or record videos with a smartphone, and ranges can be specified at home Do not use a smartphone, such as a dining table.
The German expert added that the addiction counseling center should also be contacted, and in the next step, the severity of the problem is determined.
The work is done according to a general rule that is to determine the causes that led to the addiction, and on the other hand, self-control is improved so that the smartphone is not used constantly.
With regard to children, the German doctor advises parents that they should follow their children and know what they are doing on their smartphones, as it is necessary for parents to exercise control and control, but this does not mean a ban on the use of the smartphone, but rather that certain times are specified for its use, so that the child does not overdo it. In its use.