Cellular Phone Communication – Are You Hooked?

For most of Korea, cell phone communication is a way of life. Two new studies have indicated that some young Koreans are becoming a little too attached to the their phones to the point that cell phone communication is being called an addiction.

The Seoul National University Bundang Hospital surveyed the cell communication habits of 340 high school students, with two-thirds of those students having cellular phones. The survey showed that 29 percent of the students with cell phones demonstrated addictive symptoms bordering on paranoia.

Students have become so dependent on using their cell phone for communications, that 60 percent rarely turn off their cell phones because they’re worried that they’ll miss an important call. Even though the phones can be programmed to beep when a new text message arrives, the Korean students said they still fear they will overlook a vital call.

One 14-year-old student said that she was using text messaging so much that her fingers move even when she isn’t holding her phone and even though her fingers often hurt, she still sends more than 20 text messages a day. Parents are expressing concern about children who constantly use cell phones to communicate through text messaging, and 60 percent of the students said that excessive cell phone communication caused conflict between them and their parents.

One of the most disturbing findings of the surveys was the paranoia young people feel when they don’t have access to instant cell phones communication. Students reported feeling uneasy and lost when they forget to carry their cell phones. Even when they do have their phones with them, students report they check it ever few minutes to make sure it’s working.

Also see; cell phone health.

Author Notes:

Jack Adams contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.cell-phones-n-plans.com. A cellular phone industry resource that features service plan comparisons, cellular phone reviews and articles.