Are smartphones taking over our lives?

Are smartphones taking over our lives? With the rapid increase in he smartphone market and in particular, mobile internet usage, are our smartphones taking over our lives? This blog discovers why smartphone usage is increasing and uncovers how smartphones are impacting on our daily lives.

If like me, you own a smartphone you will more than likely use it daily to listen to music and play games, check emails and for accessing social networks. However for some the use of smartphones is becoming 'addictive' with many people using their phones whilst socialising and even answering or using their phones whilst on the toilet!

According to a recent study the UK is becoming increasingly dependent on our smartphones. A study for the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has also discovered evidence of how smartphones such as the iphone, blackberries and android devices affect our behaviour.

The report suggests that smartphone owners are more likely to have their phones switched on 24 hours a day and would wake up during the night to answer it or use it- I must admit that I have mine switched on 24 hours a day but that is partly because even when my Android phone is on charge it does not switch off. Also if it is switched off the alarm function does not 'wake up' the phone and I would sleep in and be late. I also admit to checking my phone during the night and accessing applications such as email, Facebook and Youtube. It appears that I am not alone in doing these sorts of behaviours. In fact this behaviour is known as 'Checking'.

A study found that users of smartphones are more likely to check their phones at least three or more times a day to check emails, read and send texts and to access social media such as Twitter and Facebook. A report published in the journal Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, says that people are 'addicted' to these 'checking habits' associated with their phones- such as obsessively checking the menu screen, news, email and social apps. The study found that this behaviour typically lasts for less than 30 seconds and involves opening the screen lock and accessing an application. The behaviour is also triggered by an event such as checking emails when commuting or reading the news when bored. (I do both of these quite often)

The use of the mobile data network has increased dramatically in the last decade and is likely to increase further in the future and, as some UK mobile networks cut there data allowances, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on the number of people accessing the mobile data network.

Here is some interesting facts from the Ofcom report into smartphone usage:

37% of adults and 60% of teens admit they are highly addicted to their smartphones.
81% of smartphone users make calls every day compared with 53% of regular users.
23% of teenagers claim to watch less TV and 15% admit they read fewer books as a result of their smartphone use
51% of adults and 65% of teens say they have used their smartphone while socialising with others
22% of adult and 47% of teens admitted using or answering their smartphone while in the bathroom.
58% of adult males owned a smartphone compared with 42% of females.

The rise in the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter has also led to people reducing the amount of time they spend watching the telly or reading books. Indeed many young people now read less books and watch less TV which this is partly down to their usage of their smartphones- a worrying trend. Teenagers also admit to using their smartphones to access social networks, listening to music and playing games whilst adults admitted using their smartphones to surf the web, check emails and for social networking. Many even use their phones whilst on the toilet!

The use of smartphones is also blurring boundaries between holidays and work with many people (30%) taking personal calls whilst at work and some people will even use their phones whilst in the cinema (18%) despite knowing it should be switched off.

I own an android smartphone and have noticed that I am one of the many people who could be addicted to their smartphones. I use my smartphone to check emails, access social networks and for listening to music and playing games. I wouldn’t like to think I am addicted to using my phone but have recognised that sometimes I can be so caught up in using my smartphone that I am distracted from what is going on around me. I am also guilty of using my phone whilst at work and whilst socialising. My brother also owns a smartphone and I have noticed that he also seems to use his quite a lot and for the same sorts of activities.

With the increasing telecommunications options becoming available in an ever-connected world it is becoming apparent that it is changing the habits and behaviour of people and that as the internet becomes more interesting and accessible the use in smartphones and other devices is only set to increase further.

What do you think? Are we becoming increasingly addicted to our smartphones? Does using your phone whilst socialising and texting during dinner make you an addict? Are smartphones taking over your life or that of others? Please feel free to add your comments below.