Phone addiction is a behavioral addiction often dubbed as “nomophobia,” or the fear of being without a mobile device. People with a phone addiction may experience anxiety, agitation, and disorientation if they are unable to use their smartphone.
As of 2024, there are over 6.8 billion smartphone users in the world and within that population, 6.3% have a phone addiction.
How can we help people, particularly young people, reduce their reliance on phones?
Linsey Lunny, CEO of Hidden Strength, has five tips:
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Set app limits
“On your phone, you can see which apps you spend the most time on and you can also set limits on certain apps. This can help you manage your screentime on a daily basis.”
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Find hobbies that don’t revolve online
“Find something to do that forces you to not be on your phone. This could be reading, walking, anything!”
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Schedule screen-free time
“Designate specific hours each day to be completely offline, whether it’s the first hour after waking up or a no-phone rule after eight.”
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Establish a no-phone rule
“Encourage more meaningful conversations by asking everyone to put their phones away during meals or group activities.”
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Go on a “no phone retreat”
“Try committing to a full day or weekend without screens to reset your habits and reconnect with the world around you!”
Hidden Strength is a unique mental health platform for young people. They offer meaningful support, advice and guidance in a safe, anonymous environment. Support is both peer to peer, and in the form of fully qualified therapists available on demand using secure virtual environments.
