If you can’t live without your phone, you may have nomophobia
Feb 21, 2012, 2:54 PM | Updated: Mar 5, 2012, 10:28 am
A UK survey suggests an increase in nomophobia. (Eva Russo/Richmond Times-Dispatch/AP/File)
(Eva Russo/Richmond Times-Dispatch/AP/File)
Nomophobia, the fear of being out of mobile phone contact, is on the rise. A survey sponsored by UK company SecureEnvoy, a global leader in mobile security, found that 66 percent of the 1,000 people surveyed suffer from this affliction. That number has increased 13 percent since the UK company conducted the first study into nomophobia back in 2008.
The study suggests that those between the ages of 18 and 24 are 9 percent more likely to be nomophobic than those in the age group 25 to 34.
“It’s a big deal,” Luke Burbank of the Ross and Burbank Show said in response to Dave Ross who seemed skeptical of the study. “For the rest of us who aren’t still typing away on a cell phone from the 1950’s this is a big deal. You lose your phone and your life as you know it is over,” Luke said.
It also turns out that women may be more terrified of losing their phones than men. According to the study’s findings, 70 percent of women fear loosing mobile contact compared to 68 percent of men.
Producer Tina Nole admitted she suffers from nomophobia. Like Luke, Tina is most worried about dropping her phone into the toilet or bath. “I’m sure I have this affliction,” she said. “I take my phone in the bubble bath and read articles and the news…but I’m paranoid about it.”
Loren Bayles, MyNorthwest.com Intern
