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Smartphones: Addiction Of The 21st Century

Technology is advancing at an alarming rate. As a result younger generations are being exposed to many new types of technology and media that didn't exist several years ago. This can leave parents unsure on how to manage and decide what's suitable for their children since many older parents may have difficulties themselves in understanding many of the devices and gadgets that are easily available to children from an early age.

A recent study by Ofcom has shown that almost half of teenagers own a smartphone. Of which 60% of children admitted they are highly addicted. With 37% of adults claiming to be addicted also. Smartphones are being widely seen as a must have and allow many children and teenagers instant access to their friends and family through the use of connecting online and apps

Recently smartphones have gown at an exponential rate with apps rising to under half a million on the Apple store alone. Not only this with the rise of newer models of the iPhone competing with Blackberry and all phones now running on the competitive Android operating system it's now a way for everyone to show their support for a particular brand, helping promote an image they have adopted.

The addiction, many believe is developed within younger children because at a very young age the most recent generations have been exposed to technology and media since they can remember therefore it would be hard to imagine being without, but also because there is a need to be connected to their friends at all times. Not forgetting, we live in a materialistic world that strives for the very best and with friends having the latest technology such as an iPod or iPhone creates a need for many to obtain the item themselves. This can even be compared the competition that exists in striving for the best designer clothes to owning the latest football boots.

Having instant access to friends and family, with the ability of using mobile phones to help empower and simplify our lives, it's completely understandable why everyone would like to own one. And a lot of people's lives have changed as a result and it's not hard to see why. Especially given all the tasks that can now be carried out, that would have been impossible only a few years ago. The ability exists to have constant access to the internet and emails whilst being able to make full use of the apps that are now available. Many now consider replacing landlines with mobiles since less and less people are choosing to phone home numbers and it is honestly cheaper to just use a mobile phone. Not only this but everyone can now use their mobile phone to benefit from cheap international calls to the USA and even cheap calls to Spain when using their mobile phone.

But many people, not just children will become addicted just like other people who have other kinds of addictions. Such the internet, which has just recently being taken seriously as a known addiction.



Identifying An Addiction

If you are having worries about your own children being addicted or believe there are signs that may connect to such a problem then there are a few factors that could be responsible top help identify a problem. Such as the time spent using a smart phone. This can be considered one of the major tell tale signs. Spending a couple of hours a day may be reasonable but for children spending much more than this could be signs of addiction but also signs that there is an emotional attachment to the device itself. With the need to be in constant access to everyone at all times. In an extreme case school work may even become neglected.



What Can You Do?
With such an addiction being relatively new and not really understood, one thing is clear as with all other addictions there are simple ways that can help effectively make change and show that there is a clear problem that has to be overcome.

As a parent it is your decision to choose when your child will have access to a smartphone. This can be a difficult decision but there are ways to help make it an easier one. To begin with a pay as you go phone can be considered the best option. This will help set a limit on their use and also help with children on managing their own use of credit. Reducing the chances of receiving unexpected bills of large sums.

Secondly, setting a limit on the use of a smartphone could help. Setting times when dinner must be eat and when homework must be completed first. Being tough but fair form an early age should hopefully create an understanding and limiting the possibility of becoming addicted.

By : Articlesbase.com

Posted in: Electronic,IT,Technology