Why we can't live without our mobile phones

[Jazzy]

Our attachment to our mobile phones is only going to worsen as the manufacturers continue to up their game, writes Emma Barnett.

The rise of ‘nomophobia’ – the fear of being without your mobile phone – is completely understandable.



As smartphones increasingly become the norm for most of the nation, I am shocked that only 66 per cent of those recently polled on this issue, said they were suffering from this 21st century syndrome.



I recently left my phone at home on a work day and I genuinely felt panicked without it. My phone is now my email device, camera, games console, Twitter dashboard and social network controller – all rolled into one.



Despite how pathetic the reliance will seem to some, we are now at the tipping point. More than 50 per cent of the nation now claim to suffer from this new phobia and understandably so.



The camera industry, games companies and even the PC providers, are all competing with this one device – which has rolled several gadgets into one – and is doing it better every year.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...y-we-cant-live-without-our-mobile-phones.html



Question: Can you live without your mobile phone?

 

[nocturnal]

Absolutely not. I mainly use my iPhone as an iPod Touch with the capabilities of a phone. I go to music school so it's pretty obvious that I listen to music all the time

but, say, if I go to a new area, I always use it to find interesting places around, or I can use it as a GPS in case I have no clue where I am. I also get mails from work that I have to respond to ASAP, so it's really useful for me to keep in touch with work or with colleagues.

 

[Fatal Dawn]

I can't live a day without it for many reasons, some stated above. In fact recently I was freaking out because I left mine at work.

 

[Jazzy]

Here comes the odd ball in this thread. I only use my mobile phone for emergency calls. I do not need it nor would I freak out if I lost it. So many people now-a-days forget the old world way of doing things. Such as sitting down and writing a letter, enjoying life without the worry of interruption of a phone going off, sitting in front of a roaring fire and listening to music and lastly learning to use a map....did she say map???? Dang right I did. People rely so heavily on their mobile phones now that I'm not surprised to read that there is a rise in nomophobia. I'm just very happy I won't be a part of this group. I have a life and it's not attached to a mobile device!

 

[Fatal Dawn]

True. The things you own sometimes own you. I can't imagine if my phone was not at my side; it's like I feel empty, missing, or vulnerable. The old way of doing things may not be the most efficient way of doing it. If one device does all things you mentioned above, then why not?



I also have an iPhone. I've come up with a list of some of the things I use my phone for.



Texting

Calling

Internet (including e-mail and all that good stuff)

GPS

Games, music, and entertainment



News

Sports scores

Recording videos and pictures

Finding out if work is cancelled (they send a text)

Finding out if class is cancelled or if there is an emergency situation at school (they send a text)

Checking the weather and temperature

Setting up my appointments and dates (I have such a busy schedule and my phone reminds me of appointments)



Shopping list

Time, international clock, alarm clock

Makeshift calculator

Dictionary

Translator

Money transfers and checking on my bank account

 

[Nebulous]

I have a job that does not keep me occupied my whole shift, so I need something to keep me entertained. Which is why I have a 4G android phone. I can get on here, social networks, or any other type of website... play games, watch movies or tv shows, listen to music, etc etc... I've left my phone at home before & didn't feel panicked or nervous, just bored.

 

[Bryd0]

I'm one of the few people that doesn't have a mobile phone (thankfully). I can live without a mobile phone to be honest...

 

[alan@stgiles]

I only use my phone for texting really but do use it to ring people if need to as well of course, but if can use my mums house phone for that. I don't get many people texting me, and I don't text that many people any more since living with Boogie, but I still love having my phone near by, in case somebody wants me when out, or more important if I want somebody while out.

 

[DrLeftover]

I did check my phone today.



I checked to see if the battery was dead.



It wasn't.

 

[Evil Eye]

I'm one of the few people that doesn't have a mobile phone (thankfully). I can live without a mobile phone to be honest...

*high five*



I think I'm doing a decent job at living without a phone

 

[Nebulous]

Ive noticed the disappearance of pay phones over the years. I wonder if the rise in mobile phone ownership has anything to do with it.