Cell phones, a shackle in our hands (+infographic).
Adult man in distress, shackled to his cell phone. Man showing facial expressions of agony and hopelessness
The Internet, as well as mobile telephony, have marked a before and after in the history of human social interactions.
We now have notifications that remind us of important events such as the birthday of a loved one. Commenting or liking a post can mean different things, such as that we agree or disagree with a political trend or even that we matched with another user.
During the last few years, cell phones have become essential work tools, pocket and life companions. But have you ever thought about the negative effects of their excessive use?
Research by the World Health Organization (WHO) concludes that the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields generated by cell phones are possible carcinogens for human beings.
Similarly, the posture we adopt to use the device can cause the «text neck» syndrome, a pathology that manifests itself in the appearance of muscle contractures, dizziness and headaches. It also increases the chances of suffering from «carpal tunnel syndrome», a disease caused by excessive pressure on one of the nerves in the wrist that causes numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand and fingers.
But the disease associated with the use of cell phones that almost all of us surely suffer from is nomophobia. This terminology is understood as the extreme fear or anxiety that originates when the person remains for a period of time without using the cell phone. Either by not having it within reach, or because the battery or data plan ran out.
A nomophobic behavior would be that of someone who has forgotten their phone at home and upon realizing it becomes overwhelmed, feels fear or paralyzed. Another example is when we do not allow it to fully charge before using it again or even do so while it is connected to electricity.
The most widespread hypothesis to analyze this problem proposes that fear can occur due to the inability to access information, the inability to communicate, the loss of connection and the relinquishment of comfort.
It is advisable for parents to provide their children with an education that encourages a rational use of mobile devices. In such a way that they create from an early age a critical conscience about the use of information and communication technologies.
Written by Regla Yasira de León Reyes.
