Nomophobia In Adolescence

Parents should pay attention to the signs that may indicate that their child is suffering from this 21st century disease. Find out more below.

The term “nomophobia” refers to the irrational fear that many adolescents feel when they do not have their mobile device with them when they leave home, or have it, but without an Internet connection.

Despite the fact that adolescents are the most likely to have this phobia, no one is exempt from developing it. Let’s remember that, today, we are all hyperconnected. 

Without a doubt, the matter is worrying. Which is why experts seek to apply various therapies to combat this behavior so harmful to people. 

How to recognize nomophobia?

The age range of individuals most affected by nomophobia is between 12 and 23 years, approximately. This is the generation that was born with a cell phone in hand and who cannot conceive of the world without a mobile device.

Adolescents are very vulnerable, and the telephone is like an extension of themselves as people. Therefore, they are obsessed with charging the battery and are upset just thinking that they cannot use the mobile.

Symptoms of a teenager with nomophobia

It is recommended to be attentive to the following behaviors of young people, to guide them whenever necessary. To do this, it is necessary to know how to recognize the symptoms that may indicate that the use of the mobile phone has exceeded normal limits:

• You feel frustrated and even desperate if you are punished by limiting phone use.
• You may be angry when there are signal or Wi-FI connection failures.
• You can’t control yourself if your battery runs out or you have nowhere to charge your device.

• He compulsively checks his phone to see if he has received messages, notifications from his social networks or calls.
• He does not turn off the phone either to sleep or sleep with the device.
• You cannot enjoy your leisure time without having your cell phone close at hand.

Who are more likely to suffer from it?

It is believed that up to 70% of young people are addicted to mobile. In addition, nomophobia occurs in adolescence because it is the stage where acceptance is sought from groups of friends in order to identify or belong to something.

Experts report that girls have a higher rate of suffering nomophobia than boys. Apparently, the emotional ties that women establish through their friendships, over the phone, are very strong. In addition, they have a greater need for affection, which may explain why they are more susceptible to developing it.

The dangers of nomophobia

Teenagers with nomophobia make the telephone the center of their life. Psychologists warn that it is wrong that it has caused the so-called liquid relationships to develop. That is, young people express all their emotions and feelings through messages or emojis.

Human interaction is poor. No glances are exchanged and there is no human contact Therefore, these boys are not able to maintain this affective relationship when they are in the presence of the other person.

Consequences of dependence on mobile phones

By not being able to control this fear of being without the mobile device, the young person may be exposed to:

• The phobia of being without a mobile phone, which can become an addiction that is difficult to control.
• Insomnia, as the constant anxiety of checking the phone does not allow you to rest properly.
• Permanent state of anxiety.
• Poor school performance.
• It affects your self-esteem.
• All activities unrelated to their phone seem boring to them.
• They develop problems to socialize and maintain affective relationships.

5 tips to combat nomophobia

Although speaking with a specialist is the most appropriate in these cases, parents and children can work together to face the dependence on the telephone:

1. Stay off the phone when you are home. Try leaving it in another room where you are not.
2. Turn off the phone at night and leave it outside your room.
3. Try going out without the phone, for brief moments, to get used to the idea of ​​not always carrying it with you.
4. Delete from your phone what keeps you tied to it. Either a video game or some social network that you find addictive.
5. Switch to a data plan with less browsing data to reduce device usage.
6. If you find it very difficult to apply any of the above, it is best to install a suspension app. For example, there is a very striking app that for as long as you decide (10, 15, 30 or 60 minutes or more) not to use your mobile will cause a tree to grow. Of course, the more trees you have in your virtual garden, the better.

Nomophobia is considered a technology disease. The good news is that it can be overcome. With perseverance, patience, and willpower, you can leave it behind.

In general, health professionals recommend therapies to modify behavior and successfully overcome this anxiety disorder.

Technology is very good, but we must make good use of it so as not to render ourselves useless or promote dependencies.