Introduction
The problem of smartphones in the 21st century has become acute for the communities of all countries. With the advent of phones that have the function of many other gadgets, people began to move away from the real world into the virtual one. As a result of technological change and constant innovation and technological change, people have become addicted to the internet and social media on their phones. This problem has not escaped society in the United States, which considers smartphones as indispensable devices. This paper examines the essence of the issue of dependence on the phone and possible ways to solve it.
Discussion
First of all, it is important to define addiction as a disease state that affects the basic functions of a person. Within the smartphone problem, this includes anxiety away from the gadget, performance issues, inability to control the urge to use the phone, and constant checking of social networks. According to polls in the American public, about half of the citizens believe that they are addicted to phones (Moller-Nielsen, 2022). Moreover, 43% say that the most valuable thing in their life for them is a smartphone and their position in social networks (Moller-Nielsen, 2022). Thus, society puts material value above any pleasures and opportunities.
Additionally, addiction leads to constant thoughts about where their phone is and how much power is left. Among other things, statistics show that more than 80% of Americans experience feelings of anxiety if they forget their smartphones at home. Among other things, the problem of dependence lies in the fact that phones need constant recharging. US residents answer these questions as follows: 54% of respondents may experience discomfort, up to panic attacks, if the charge drops below 20%. At the same time, they can feel more relaxed if they have devices that give the phone recharge.
It is worth saying that the problem affects the perseverance and concentration of people. The average US citizen checks their phone about 352 times a day (Howart, 2022). This is a strong irritant and distracts a person at any time. As a result, people may find themselves in life-threatening situations. Thus, approximately 20% of the total number of accidents in the United States are accounted for by those who are distracted by checking their phones (Howart, 2022). This affects not only their safety but poses a threat to the lives of others.
In addition, phone addiction affects the health and future of the younger generation of Americans. Relatively two-thirds of children spend four or more hours a day playing games or texting on social media (Howart, 2022). In this regard, academic performance and their ability to perceive new information as part of the educational process are deteriorating. Thus, children recognize only virtual life and develop following its demands.
Another problem in the background of telephone addiction is changes in the brain. Constant spending time on games or social networks and the anxiety associated with this in some cases leads to a chemical imbalance (Horowitz‐Kraus & Hutton, 2018). This condition largely comes down to those people who have been diagnosed with diseases such as anxiety disorder or depression (Horowitz‐Kraus & Hutton, 2018). At the same time, people experience daytime dysfunction, which affects their sense of themselves as part of society and completely or partially knocks down their sleep mode.
Solution
Phone addiction can pose a serious threat to the health and future of Americans, and therefore requires solid solutions. First of all, the people themselves or their parents and close circle must realize the complexity that the person has faced. In this case, one can seek the help of a specialist in cognitive behavioral therapy (Horvath et al., 2020). Treatment is a psychosocial intervention in which the patient undergoes a course of communication and, in some cases, drugs to improve the condition.
However, first of all, it is worth considering preventive measures that can be taken before the appearance of a strong kind of addiction. Preventive measures from the state and the education system can greatly improve the situation and help many Americans avoid addiction. On the side of the government, a course on digital security and discipline can be included in the school and student curriculum. As part of the course, people will be able to discuss addiction and seek help if they observe signs of illness.
In the course of protecting the population from smartphones, educational institutions and workers can organize days free from gadgets. At this time, people are talking to each other, doing other things, reading books, and living in the real world. This will show them that the surrounding reality has much more to offer than social networks and virtual communication. As a result, people will be able to pay attention not only to material things and devote time to their family or their development.
As a recommendation, smartphone addiction should be included in the register of diseases as a specific disorder that causes consequences for the psyche of citizens. At the same time, because of the unfortunate impact of this kind of attachment, the government must take responsibility for raising public awareness of the problem. Moreover, people themselves should admit their weaknesses and reduce screen time (Ihm, 2018). Many ways can reduce the risk of anxiety and depression due to frequent use of gadgets.
First of all, it is about self-discipline and making time for using phones and browsing social networks. Those people whose work is directly related to the virtual space should have frequent rest breaks. However, reducing the time spent on the phone should be gradual. Otherwise, the method will cause undesirable consequences and lead to apathy, depression, and constant anxiety. In addition, it is important to get rid of unnecessary applications and reduce the number of notifications by checking them as needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be said that the problem of smartphone addiction is extremely common in the United States. Many residents complain that they experience anxiety if they leave their gadgets at home and cannot check their notifications. This affects all segments of the population, including adults and adolescents. Addiction can cause chemical changes in the brain and cause depression and dysfunction. At the same time, often people with this problem become the culprits of car accidents. Thus, the issue requires attention and the search for possible solutions to improve the health of the population. Preventive measures should be taken by the state and educational institutions, thanks to which people will be able to learn about the causes and symptoms of addiction and seek help in time. Additionally, it is important to designate this as a disorder, in some cases requiring the intervention of a specialist.
References
Horowitz‐Kraus, T., & Hutton, J. S. (2018). Brain connectivity in children is increased by the time they spend reading books and decreased by the length of exposure to screen‐based media. Acta Paediatrica, 107(4), 685-693.
Horvath, J., Mundinger, C., Schmitgen, M. M., Wolf, N. D., Sambataro, F., Hirjak, D., Kubera, K.M., Koenig, J. & Wolf, R. C. (2020). Structural and functional correlates of smartphone addiction. Addictive behaviors, 105(2), 1-7.
Howart, J. (2022). 57+ Incredible Smartphone Addiction Statistics for 2022. Exploding Topics. Web.
Ihm, J. (2018). Social implications of children’s smartphone addiction: The role of support networks and social engagement. Journal of behavioral addictions, 7(2), 473-481.
Moller-Nielsen, T. (2022). What are our phones doing to us?. Current Affairs. Web.