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Mobile Madness

We all have one, use it many times a day, can’t leave home without it, feel lost when we don’t have it, comes in many styles, shapes and colours and connects us to others in a quick and efficient way. In case you still haven’t figured out what I am referring to, take a look at the object sitting loyally next to you, waiting to be used. That’s right, your mobile telephone.

Use of the mobile phones has increased dramatically since they were introduced about two decades ago. Today approximately five billion mobile phones are in use worldwide. All you need to do is look around a busy street and 3 out of 5 people will probably be somehow allied with their devoted device, often bumping into each other or totally unaware of their surroundings.

Now there is no doubt that our lives have forever changed, (for good and bad) since the increased usage and dependency of mobile phones. The speed at which we communicate, the constant access we have to people and the way it has affected our social interaction are only small glimpses into the manner mobile phones have transformed our lives. According to Dr Farrell, we have become so dependent on our mobile phones that if we aren’t constantly connected to others we might suffer from anxiety and feelings of disorientation. Although her research is in its preliminary stages, she calls this state of mind Cell Phone Deprivation Syndrome.

Other experts have talked about ‘phantom vibration/ring syndrome’ or ‘vibranxiety’ describing the feeling when several times a day you run to answer your ringing/vibrating mobile phone only to realise it was never ringing to begin with. Sound familiar?

Besides the psychological and social impact the mobile phone culture has had on our lives, more recent analysis has looked at the way in which excessive usage can actually make us ill or even alter brain activity, affecting a person’s overall health.

To begin with, people use their phone everywhere. In public crowded spaces, placing it down on different surfaces, even using it in the bathroom where germs live quite happily. Therefore it is feared that most mobile phones are swarming with bacteria, also because of the close distance to the mouth where germs can be passed from breathing, coughing and sneezing.

One can take more hygiene precautions to sanitize the device however what about the point regarding altering brain activity? Apparently if we spend 50 minutes or more with a mobile phone glued to our head, it is enough to change brain cell activity in parts of the brain closest to that region. Although Dr Volkow and other experts have uncovered some interesting correlations between mobile phone usage and serious health consequences, she warns that it is still early days and therefore we do not need to jump to conclusions about brain tumors or cancer. ‘The study (brain activity alteration) is important because it documents that the human brain is sensitive to the electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by cellphones,’ Dr Volkow alleges. ‘It also highlights the importance of doing studies to address the question of whether there are or are not long-lasting consequences of repeated stimulation, of getting exposed to these phones, over five, 10 or 15 years.’

Regardless of what we know now or discover in future research, Volkow strongly recommends the use of a headset or earpiece when using a mobile phone.

Other than that, we should all try and exercise some responsible mobile phone etiquette such as:

• Not sleeping near your phone or allow ringing/vibrating to disturb your time of rest
• Avoid contact with mobile phones while driving (32% of all auto accidents are caused by drivers talking or texting)
• Clean your phone a few times a day
• Avoid having loud private conversations when others are around
• Keep your conversations short and concise…another benefit is money saved
• Use landlines when you can
• Turn your phone off when at the cinema
• Avoid having multiple conversations such ordering food while still on the phone
• Do not interrupt your ‘real’ time with friends/family by wasting it on ‘phone’ time
• Do not purchase mobile phones for children since they do not yet understand the negative consequences irresponsible usage
• Do not text and talk…its very irritating to others, no matter how good you think you are at multitasking

Still, it wouldn’t be reasonable to end this discussion without acknowledging the way mobile phone technology has enhanced our daily life and constantly provides us with easier more efficient methods of communication and connectivity. This benefit however doesn’t come without a cost. As long as we use technology sensibly, and ride the waves of innovation with caution, we can reap the many advantages it has to offer without becoming techi slaves.

Remember learning more, results in living more…over to you…

Samineh I Shaheem is an author, an assistant professor of psychology, currently lecturing in Dubai, as well as a cross-cultural consultant at HRI. She has studied and worked in different parts of the world, including the USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, and the UAE. She co hosts a radio program (Psyched Sundays 10-12pm) every Sunday morning on Dubai Eye 103.8 FM discussing the most relevant psychological issues in our community.

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