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Do you know this word? Nomophobia is a term describing a growing fear (/basics/fear) in

today’s world — the fear of being without a mobile device, or beyond mobile phone contact.

 Among today’s high school and college students, it’s on the rise. An increas ing number of 

college students now shower with their cell phone. The average adolescent would rather lose

a pinky-finger than a cell phone. A growing percentage text or tweet instead of actually talking

to others.

Nomophobia (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/31/smartphone-

addiction_n_5626996.html) is everywhere in industrialized nations. The term is an abbreviation

for “no-mobile-phone phobia,” which was coined

(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10267574/Nomophobia-affects-majority-of-

UK.html) during a 2010 study by the UK Post Office. The Post Office commissioned YouGov, a

research organization, to look at anxieties suffered by mobile phone users. The study found

that nearly 53 percent of mobile phone users in Britain tend to be anxious when they “lose their 

mobile phone, run out of battery or credit, or have no network coverage.”

The study found that about 58 percent of men and 47 percent of women suffer from the

phobia, and an additional 9 percent feel stressed when their mobile phones are off. The study

sampled 2,163 people. Fifty-five percent of those surveyed cited keeping in touch with friends

or family as the main reason that they got anxious when they could not use their mobile

phones. The study compared stress (/basics/stress) levels induced by the average case of 

nomophobia to be on par with those of “wedding day jitters” and trips to the dentist.

In the U.S., it’s gotten worse…

1. Sixty-five percent, or about two in three people, sleep (/basics/sleep) with or next to their 

smart phones. (Among college students, it’s even higher).

Do you know this word? Nomophobia is a term describing a growing fear inyouth.

Post published by Tim Elmore on Sep 18, 2014 in Artificial Maturity

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2. Thirty-four percent admitted to answering their cell phone during intimacy with their 

partner. (Hey, what happened to valuing the person you are with in-person?)

3. One in five people would rather go without shoes for a week than take a break from their 

phone. (It’s a good way to lose your sole and your soul).

4. More than half never switch off their phone. (I’d call that an addiction (/basics/addiction)).

5. A full 66 percent of all adults suffer from “nomophobia.”

It’s time to take a break

Whenever I find myself needing something in order to cope, I always check my lifestyle and

my health (/basics/health). This may sound crazy, but my rule of thumb is that I don’t allow

myself to be brought under the control of anything. Outside of food, water and shelter, I guard

myself against subjection to any addiction that begins to dictate my behavior. This includes

technology. I recognize that cell phones, tablets, computers and other technology introduced in

the future will make my life easier and enable me to work more efficiently. My principle,

though, is this: Technology should be a servant, not a master.

So what should we do to model a balanced approach for students?

Be sure there are daily times you turn off the cell phone and experience either face-to-

face conversations or solitude.

Balance screen time and in-person time each week. For every hour you invest in front of 

a screen, you invest in human contact.

Try a technology fast every month, where you actually go for a day or more without a

computer, tablet or phone. You’ll feel liberated.

Place your phone at least 15 feet away from you when you sleep at night. I realize you’ll

have to get up to push “snooze,” but it’s safer this way.

Block your day in time zones, where you spend time using technology, but also have

blocks of time for organic, genuine interaction with people.

Do you see signs of nomophobia? What else would you add to my list above?

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(/blog/

artificia

l-

maturit

y/2015

01/the-

two-greate

st-

motiva

tors-

studen

ts)

The Two Greatest Motivators for

Students (/blog/artificial-maturity/201501/the-two-

greatest-motivators-students)

We must remember this is more than “carrots

and sticks.”

The Root Cause of Stress in Kids

(/blog/artificial-maturity/201410/the-root-cause-stress-in-kids)

Know why so many kids are stressed out and “failing to

launch” into adulthood?

(/blog/

artificia

l-

maturit

y/2014

09/no

mopho

bia-

rising-

trend-

in-

studen

ts)

Nomophobia: A Rising Trend in

Students (/blog/artificial-

maturity/201409/nomophobia-

rising-trend-in-students)

Do you know this word? Nomophobia is a term

describing a growing fear in youth.

(/blog/

artificia

l-

maturit

y/2014

08/5-

ways-

cure-

the-

cool-

kid-

curse)

5 Ways to Cure the “Cool Kid”

Curse (/blog/artificial-

maturity/201408/5-ways-cure-

the-cool-kid-curse)

Believe it or not, Justin Bieber is merely a

picture of so many others his age.

 

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(/blog/

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07/ne

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A New Parental Report Card

(/blog/artificial-

maturity/201407/new-parental-

report-card)

 As I conversed with many parents, one looming

emotion filled their questions.

(/blog/

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ng-

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spirit-

in-

studen

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Curing a Critical Spirit in Students

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spirit-in-students)

One professor said it was as if the students

were getting paid to complain.