It’s probably better to talk: How checking our phones 60 times a day is driving away friends
Mobile phones are eroding our personal relationships, according to a new study
Scientists have compared constantly texting and checking phones to addictions like compulsive spending
By KERRY MCDERMOTT
PUBLISHED: 05:33 EST, 1 December 2012 | UPDATED: 05:33 EST, 1 December 2012
Compulsive: Constant texting is an addiction, experts say
Young people’s attachment to their mobile phones is eroding their personal relationships, according to a new study.
The claims come after research revealed that young adults – in addition to sending over 100 texts – check their mobile up to 60 times a day.
Experts behind a new study have now said compulsively checking a mobile phone is an addiction similar to compulsive spending or credit card misuse.
They said their research showed mobile and instant messaging addictions are driven by materialism and impulsiveness – which also plays a role in behavioural and substance addictions.
Dr James Roberts, of the Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business, said it was important for students – who spend up to seven hours a day interacting with communication technology – to recognise when their behaviour is becoming a problem.