Cell Phone use becoming major problem for some people

[Fire14]

From this article, I guess I am addicted big time.

Cell Phone Use Becoming a Major Problem for Some, Expert Says

For most people, heeding these warnings in hospitals or at the movies is as simple as pressing a button. But for a growing number of people across the globe, the idea of being out of touch, even just for a 90-minute movie, is enough to induce anxiety, says a University of Florida psychologist who studies addictions to the Internet and other technologies.

Although cellular phones and personal digital assistants such as the BlackBerry were created to make modern life more convenient, they're actually beginning to interfere in the lives of users who don't know when to turn them off, says Lisa Merlo, an assistant professor of psychiatry in the UF College of Medicine.

"It's not so much talking on the phone that's typically the problem although that can have consequences too," Merlo said. "(It's) this need to be connected, to know what's going on and be available to other people. That's one of the hallmarks of cell phone addiction."

Unlike addictions to _______, ____s or even gambling, it can be hard to pinpoint problematic cell phone use. Almost everyone has a cell phone and uses it regularly. But if someone can't get through dinner without sending text messages or furiously typing on a personal digital assistant during a meeting, it may be time to take a step back, Merlo said.

How people respond to being separated from their cell phones or PDAs is another clue. Frequent users often become anxious when they are forced to turn off the phone or if they forget it at home, so much so that they can't enjoy whatever they're doing, Merlo added. Often, cell phone "addicts" compulsively check their phones for voicemails and text messages, she said.

"When (cell phone overuse) really becomes problematic for a lot of people is if they have underlying anxiety or depression," she said. "This can really exacerbate it or (cause) their symptoms to manifest themselves."

For example, someone who already worries about what others think of them could become easily agitated if their phone calls or messages aren't returned right away.

"This is something that is going to affect them on a day-to-day basis," Merlo said.

The problem seems to be growing. A Japanese study revealed that children with cell phones often don't make friends with their less tech-savvy peers, a Hungarian study found that three-fourths of children had mobile phones and an Italian study showed that one quarter of adolescents owned multiple phones and many claimed to be somewhat addicted to them. A British study also recently found that 36 percent of college students surveyed said they could not get by without cell phones. But this may be more a sign that students view cell phones as a modern necessity like a car, said David Sheffield, a psychologist who conducted the study at Staffordshire University in England.

"The most shocking figure was that 7 percent said the use of mobile phones had caused them to lose a relationship or a job," Sheffield said.

Although experts have pinpointed these problems in frequent cell phone users, studies have yet to show if a bad cell phone habit constitutes an actual addiction. Yet as with traditional addictions, excessive cell phone use is associated with certain hallmark patterns of behavior, including using something to feel good, building up a tolerance and needing more of it over time to get the same feeling, and going through withdrawal if deprived of it, Merlo said.

Cell phone users could start out with one phone and switch to newer models with more advanced features or PDAs that act like mini-computers over time to get the same feeling they had with their first phone, she said. Although withdrawal is typically considered a physical response that occurs when the body goes without a chemical, the anxiety cell phone users feel without their phone could simply be another form of withdrawal.

"Those things lend toward the idea that maybe this is an addiction, but maybe it's manifesting in a little bit different way than you would think of a chemical substance," Merlo said.

Addiction also causes changes in the brain, but scientists have yet to measure what happens in the brains of cell phone users, she said. Even eating and other behaviors have been shown to produce the same effects in the brain as ____s and _______ in some people, UF studies have shown.

For frequent phoners who do think they have a problem or for parents of children obsessed with their cells, Merlo advises downgrading to a basic phone with fewer features and setting limits about where and when to use the phone.

"Cell phones are a great technology," Merlo said. "They're useful in a lot of situations. (But) one of the most important things is making sure you have some cell phone free time in your day. It's OK to turn it off. Focus on family, homework, knowing that cell phone message will still be there."


www.cellular-news.com/story/21511.php

[dmapr]

Cell phones are very important, but movies are sacred No phones of any kind when I'm watching one

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by dmapr

Cell phones are very important, but movies are sacred No phones of any kind when I'm watching one

I've fired people for talking on their cell phones. The rule is that the cell phones are to be turned off with the exception of your lunch break. If there is an emergency the employee can be contacted on the store line.

-Jay

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I've fired people for talking on their cell phones. The rule is that the cell phones are to be turned off with the exception of your lunch break. If there is an emergency the employee can be contacted on the store line.

-Jay

I am glad they can't fire me for using my cell, especially when the boss calls me on it almost daily vs using the radio.

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I've fired people for talking on their cell phones. The rule is that the cell phones are to be turned off with the exception of your lunch break. If there is an emergency the employee can be contacted on the store line.

-Jay

Things are quite different in the Bay Area

You think that "I'm going to Fry's" is an acceptable excuse to leave the office for a while, and your boss does too.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Fire14

I am glad they can't fire me for using my cell, especially when the boss calls me on it almost daily vs using the radio.

I've been so pissed before because there is a line of customers out the door, and I find all my cashiers hiding behind the conveyor on cell phones. I think I fired 4 on the spot once.

-Jay

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I've been so pissed before because there is a line of customers out the door, and I find all my cashiers hiding behind the conveyor on cell phones. I think I fired 4 on the spot once.

-Jay

That makes perfect sense on why you have the rule, and that's part of what the article is about, lack of restraint & knowing when & where to use them.

I agree there are times & places to use a cell & while working in a job like your business is, a fast food resturant, any cashier job is not the place for a phone to be used. (and some others).

[Ironwalt]

My phone is on 24/7. But when I'm at work I dont use it and have told all my friends and family not to call. But outside of work I have let it be a problem by missing things and being late for stuff. I will carry my phone with me from room to room in the house as I walk around. I have got up in the middle of the night to check it and have dreamed I was talking or texting someone. It is nuts some times but I can't stop.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Fire14

That makes perfect sense on why you have the rule, and that's part of what the article is about, lack of restraint & knowing when & where to use them.

I agree there are times & places to use a cell & while working in a job like your business is, a fast food resturant, any cashier job is not the place for a phone to be used. (and some others).

I think that the big problem is that most of my cashiers are in high school. They grow up in this mobile phone culture where you call anyone, anytime. This is fine on your day off, but when you are at work someone else (me) is paying for your time. I sometimes think that etiquette should be a required class for high school graduation.

-Jay

[walkguru]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I think that the big problem is that most of my cashiers are in high school. They grow up in this mobile phone culture where you call anyone, anytime. This is fine on your day off, but when you are at work someone else (me) is paying for your time. I sometimes think that etiquette should be a required class for high school graduation.

-Jay

i think that is the key, there is a time and place, to use cell phones.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Ironwalt

My phone is on 24/7. But when I'm at work I dont use it and have told all my friends and family not to call. But outside of work I have let it be a problem by missing things and being late for stuff. I will carry my phone with me from room to room in the house as I walk around. I have got up in the middle of the night to check it and have dreamed I was talking or texting someone. It is nuts some times but I can't stop.

Wow, I am glad I haven't gotten up at night to check my phone thinking I had a call or SMS, unfortunatly for me when I think I am dreaming it, there is a page for me.

As for keeping the phone on 24/7, yes I do that to & they are always on my belt, (except in church, unless I am on call) I also make sure when I go somewhere like the movies I keep the phone on vibrate or silent.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by walkguru

i think that is the key, there is a time and place, to use cell phones.

Exactly, and we need to teach our young people EXACTLY when it isn't appropriate. I see a lot of inappropriate cell phone use at my store. Customers on phones that aren't paying attention and don't come to the counter when its their turn, customers who refuse to end their conversation when they are at the counter, and those with "potty mouthes" that don't seem to care that they are in a public place.

-Jay

[hf1khal]

Originally Posted by Fire14

Wow, I am glad I haven't gotten up at night to check my phone thinking I had a call or SMS, unfortunatly for me when I think I am dreaming it, there is a page for me.

As for keeping the phone on 24/7, yes I do that to & they are always on my belt, (except in church, unless I am on call) I also make sure when I go somewhere like the movies I keep the phone on vibrate or silent.

Wel for my BB it is set to go to sleep at night and if any one needs to reach me then the landline number is the way for them. Also I for one make sure that, at any meeting, teh rule is to have the cell phone off and that rule applies to all employees even if the the other party does not do that, with this at times i leave my phone on untill we are all seated and say excuse me I need to shut my phone off and maiing that a hint to the ohters and so far it worked 90% of the time. The other rule my data is sut off while I am out on personal time and if the personal time is even better then the phone is off for the duration. One needs to balance every thing in life and why not the use of cell phones.

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by hf1khal

Wel for my BB it is set to go to sleep at night and if any one needs to reach me then the landline number is the way for them. Also I for one make sure that, at any meeting, teh rule is to have the cell phone off and that rule applies to all employees even if the the other party does not do that, with this at times i leave my phone on untill we are all seated and say excuse me I need to shut my phone off and maiing that a hint to the ohters and so far it worked 90% of the time. The other rule my data is sut off while I am out on personal time and if the personal time is even better then the phone is off for the duration. One needs to balance every thing in life and why not the use of cell phones.

Meetings, movies and nights are when the phone's on silent or off.

[Shizam76]

Originally Posted by Fire14

.......Often, cell phone "addicts" compulsively check their phones for voicemails and text messages, she said.

Hmmmm....there wouldn't be anybody here like that, would there???

[Ironwalt]

Originally Posted by Shizam76

Hmmmm....there wouldn't be anybody here like that, would there???

Doesnt ring a bell with me, oh wait that my phone got to go.

[YourDream84]

In the newest issue of Cosmo (I'm sure you guys read every issue. :-P) there's a tidbit in there that says Blackberry/PDA use is becoming so addictive that some companies may soon put their employees through a 'rehab' program very similar to the one's that _______ and ____ addicts have to go through....

~*Ash*~

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by YourDream84

In the newest issue of Cosmo (I'm sure you guys read every issue. :-P) there's a tidbit in there that says Blackberry/PDA use is becoming so addictive that some companies may soon put their employees through a 'rehab' program very similar to the one's that _______ and ____ addicts have to go through....

~*Ash*~

Glad I don't read that, otherwise when I get a BB, I would know when I become addicted.

[hf1khal]

Originally Posted by Fire14

Glad I don't read that, otherwise when I get a BB, I would know when I become addicted.

It does get eddicting and it is tough to break out of the habbit. I found the best way is to have teh email sound notifcation to be off and only leave the sound on for calls and SMS one can get out of the habbit a bit. But then later one would see the red LED flashing to show that there are some new emails and one ends up checking the emails. With that i could now go as long as an hour without looking at my BB but when I now I need it the sound go back on Normal.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by YourDream84

In the newest issue of Cosmo (I'm sure you guys read every issue. :-P) there's a tidbit in there that says Blackberry/PDA use is becoming so addictive that some companies may soon put their employees through a 'rehab' program very similar to the one's that _______ and ____ addicts have to go through....

~*Ash*~

Why do you think its called "CrackBerry"?

[josephd]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I've fired people for talking on their cell phones. The rule is that the cell phones are to be turned off with the exception of your lunch break. If there is an emergency the employee can be contacted on the store line.

-Jay

Remind me not to apply for a job at your place Jay.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by josephd

Remind me not to apply for a job at your place Jay.

You probably won't work for what we pay anyway. There are a few select cashiers that make about $10/hr but the majority of them make between $7.50 and $7.75.

-Jay

[walkguru]

Wirelessly posted (Walkguru's: LG-CU500 Obigo/WAP2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

Both my phones are on 24 and 7. But i sometimes leave them in the car or truck, just to have a break.

[Kalimotxo]

Originally Posted by walkguru

Wirelessly posted (Walkguru's: LG-CU500 Obigo/WAP2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

Both my phones are on 24 and 7. But i sometimes leave them in the car or truck, just to have a break.

I can't let my phone leave my side... but during certain times of the day i will put the phone on silent (not vibrate, but complete silence)... so that I can get away from it all. Hahaha...

[Ironwalt]

I turned my phone off for about a hour yesterday. I hate to say it but I could not take having it off. I felt like I was missing something. I knew that it was always with me and I never turned it off but I never noticed that I had a problem untill now. Oh well at least I'm not carrying a Teddy Bear around.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I leave my phone on all the time, because I do not have a landline so the cellular is my primary phone. I do put the phone in vibrate or silent mode in restaurants, movies, meetings, and such. It pisses me off when people do not do the same.

[Ironwalt]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I leave my phone on all the time, because I do not have a landline so the cellular is my primary phone. I do put the phone in vibrate or silent mode in restaurants, movies, meetings, and such. It pisses me off when people do not do the same.

Same here. I dumped the line back in '99 and use vibrate when I can't use the ringer too.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Funny thing is I've never had a landline in my name...

Originally Posted by Ironwalt

Same here. I dumped the line back in '99 and use vibrate when I can't use the ringer too.

[walkguru]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I leave my phone on all the time, because I do not have a landline so the cellular is my primary phone. I do put the phone in vibrate or silent mode in restaurants, movies, meetings, and such. It pisses me off when people do not do the same.

thats one of my pet peaves too.