The days when mobile phones were used for only making or receiving calls and sending messages are long gone. The number of mobile users is expected to exceed 3.8 billion by 2021, according to Statista. There is no doubt that smartphones have revolutionized every aspect of our lives. The first thing most people when after waking up in the morning is check their phones.
In fact, people are so addicted to their smartphones that they have developed the habit of checking their phone even when they haven’t heard a notification. 40% of Americans alone are addicted to their smartphones. As these figures suggest, we cannot survive a day without our phones.
You may be aware that many people love their phones, but these surprising ways people are completely dependent on their mobiles may shock you!
- Internet Access
Given the amount of information available online these days and how easily it can be accessed, it goes without saying that internet access is one of the main things that makes us dependent on our smartphones. From games to educational materials, Internet has something for everyone. It has answers to all your questions.
Psychology suggests that having a wealth of information available at our fingertips has a detrimental effect on our brain. While it makes it easier for us to find any piece of information in seconds, people find it difficult to process information when they are not connected to the internet. Technically, it makes us so addicted to the internet that we Google any query or issue that pops up in our minds.
Nobody wants to think or brainstorm ideas when the information is readily available online. For some people, their internet addiction is so strong that losing their connection for a day or even a few hours is like losing their sense of smell or taste!
- eCommerce and Online Shopping
After growing in popularity in recent years, the popularity of online shopping and eCommerce skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has made people realize the value of safely shopping from their own home. Even as the pandemic subsides, people still want to shop online.
Online shopping offers a high level of convenience to consumers, greatly saving you on transportation by allowing you to shop for different products and services online from the comfort of your couch. What’s made it even more popular is the variety of payment methods available at your disposal. You can make contactless payments using your debit or credit cards, net banking, cryptocurrency, and other digital payment options.
- Camera Addiction
We live in the age of virtual reality where everything has gone virtual. Whether you want to get a 360-degree view of your potential real estate investment, or face-time your loved ones, virtual reality has made it possible for people to get real-time pictures or a virtual tour of just about anywhere from their smartphone.
Here, camera addiction also refers to photography. Many of us are addicted to taking selfies everywhere we go. In fact, camera addiction has reached the stage where people have started snapping photos of the food they have for breakfast or lunch. From dresses to locations, people take their smartphones everywhere for photos.
- Social Media and Communication
Modern smartphones offer tons of opportunities for people to connect with their families. The best part is these devices offer a cost-effective method for you to stay connected with your loved ones, even if they are based overseas. You can text, call, and video-call your family to connect over face-time. While it allows you to easily socialize with your buddies, this mode of communication has dramatically reduced in-person interactions. People choose social media over in-person interactions because the former is more convenient.
Social media is not only about communication, but it has become more of a place where you can share your daily life stories with your friends and family. It has now become possible to tell people what’s going on in your life, the places you visit, the food you have had, the new dress you bought from a luxury clothing store, and so on. People are also interested to know what’s going on in others’ lives. However, it is important to make sure that social media doesn’t replace in-person interactions!
- Fun Activities
In addition to shopping and social media, there are a lot of fun things you can do on your smartphone. For example, you can download your favorite game, join a casino to make some money in your free time, read a book, or listen to music. There are countless options. In fact, some people even make money through their smartphones. Affiliate marketing, social media marketing, online selling, and taking surveys are a few easy ways you can make money through your mobile phone.
We are now dependent on our smartphones to a level where it seems impossible to spend a single day without using your phone. The addiction is growing exponentially, so it’s important to check your habits and take a step back from your addiction.
Source: Business Diary Philippines
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