Smartphone addiction, also known as "Nomophobia" - fear of being without a phone, occurs when you experience negative consequences as a result of smartphone overuse. Smartphone addiction can encompass a variety of different use cases, from social media to games to web surfing. Smartphone addiction is more prominent than laptop / desktop addiction because smartphones are always with us and can easily gratify our compulsions at any time. We can be come addicted to a cycle of dopamine until it interferes with other parts of our life or causes negative side effects such as stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, attention challenges, and sleep disturbances. Smartphone addiction is not necessarily just the amount of time you spend on your phone or how often you check your phone. Smartphone addiction occurs when your phone usage causes you to experience negative consequences in other parts of your life such as your relationships, school, work, or hobbies. Smartphone addiction can often be treated through self-help measures, cognitive behavioral therapy, or group support. Disclaimer: This is NOT a diagnostic test. Please consult a mental health professional if you are worried about your smartphone usage. Kwon, M., Kim, D. J., Cho, H., & Yang, S. (2013). The smartphone addiction scale: development and validation of a short version for adolescents. PloS one, 8(12), e83558.
