Have you ever stopped and thought about how much time you spend on your smart device? When you first wake up? When you are traveling to work or school? In between business meetings? It seems like just about everyone out there owns a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, which means they are connected at all times. This constant connectivity is something that has prompted a lot of research over the past couple of years and the data is coming as something of a surprise to many.
Research shows that the typical American adult who is 18 years of age and older spends two hours and 51 minutes each day on their smartphone. That amounts to a rather large portion of your day when you think about the fact you are fitting work, possibly commuting, a personal life, and errands in there as well. These numbers have now caused people to wonder and ask if people are indeed suffering from tech addiction, and if is it something they need to be worrying about?
It Goes Deeper Than Phones and Mobile Devices
When it comes to tech addiction, this is a very real issue that people in the industry are now discussing. Researchers have also made the point that it’s not just smart devices, it’s also video games. A tech addiction is a broad title that covers anything to do with technology. It has gotten to the point where people will stop and drop anything the moment they get an alert or notification, simply because they can’t just ignore it and let it be.
While the blame has been put on the individual who has the tech addiction, times are changing and big companies are now starting to step forward and admit that they aren’t blameless in the addiction.
A New Course is Being Chartered
It seems as though this increase in tech addiction hasn’t gone by unnoticed by the tech giants, as a change is underway. Former employees of Google and Facebook have now partnered together to create the Centre for Humane Technology, which is meant to help curb tech addiction.
As reported on argyllfreepress.com, the tech addiction this organization will be narrowing in on is that caused by smartphones and social media – in particular, big networks like Google, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Its main goal will be to raise awareness about the dangers of technology addiction, how it’s caused, and what it is. This is a problem that affects not just adults, as even teenagers and tweens with smart devices are also falling prey to it.
Not All Are Embracing the Fight
While the Centre for Humane Technology moves ahead with its agenda, it seems as though not all are willing to get onboard. Facebook has just announced the launch of Messenger Kids, a messenger app meant for kids, which was greeted with all kinds of criticism from mental health experts.
The Fight Continues
For now, it appears as though the fight will continue, as advocates do what they can to educate people on the dangers of tech addiction and just what it can do to a person’s well-being.
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