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74 — The Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications • Vol. 5, No. 1 • Spring 2014
Students’ Cell Phone Addiction and Their Opinions
Tessa Jones*
Strategic Communications
Elon University
Abstract
Cell phone plays an essential role in communications throughout the world. The technological revolution that many Americans have experienced has drastically changed the way humans interact and communicate with one another. The author conducted field observations to examine Elon students’ behavior while walking around campus, along with an online survey. Findings suggest that students seem to be addicted to their cell phones, with 64 percent of students observed on campus interacting with their device one way or another. Nevertheless, a survey of students found that they believe that the need of self- gratification achieved through excessive cell phone use has negative psychological effects on them. Overall, this research would impart insight into the addictive world of technology, and the impacts cell phones have on students’ behavior.
I. Introduction
In recent years, the use of cell phones has played a vital role in communication across the globe; citizens of the United States, like people in other countries, are consumed in the technological revolution. It is hard for members of Generation Y, who were born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s, to imagine a time when instant and constant communication was not a main focus for them socially. A generation ago, peo- ple left their homes without any form of electronic device; made plans in person; wrote personal, hand-written letters; and knocked on neighbors’ doors to see if they were home. These things, of course, still happen. But today “more than 90 percent of American adults have a cell phone of some kind, and for people under the age of 44, that number is closer to 97 percent.”^1 For those with phones, particularly smart phones that allow individuals to instantly connect to anyone via the World Wide Web, personal, face-to-face connections seem to be disappearing at a rapid pace. In reaction, the McMillan family, of Ontario, Canada, conducted a social experiment where they “instituted a ban on all technology invented after 1986.”^2 This year-long experiment was not designed to punish the children, but rather to show them a simpler way of life, before the world was instantly connected. Brean quotes McMillan, as saying, “The basis of the project is to feel what it was like
- Doug Mataconis, “91 percent Of American Adults Own A Cell Phone, Majority Of Them Own A Smart- phone,” Outside the Beltway. Np, 6 June 2013, Web. 28 Oct, 2013.
- Tom Gardner, “That 1980’s Show: No Internet, Pink Ghetto Blasters and Mullets, of Course, as Father Bans All Modern Technology for a YEAR to Take Family Back to 1986,” Mail Online. Np, 6 Sept, 2013. Web, 07 Oct,
Keywords : cellphone, addiction, communication, impulses, psychological effects
Email: Tjones24@elon.edu
Students’ Cell Phone Addiction and their Opinions by Tessa Jones — 75
when I was a kid before everything was connected,”^3 The McMillan family is just one example of people who are trying to disconnect from the technology that they feel has become addictive.This research attempted to determine whether Generation Y’s seemingly constant connection via technology can be classified as an addiction. It tried to determine whether members of this generation are losing their ability to interact in personal, face-to-face contact with others without somehow returning to their “devices” in the midst of real-world interactions.
Over the past several decades, the number of cell phone subscriptions in the United States has grown significantly as people’s reliance on this technology has increased. There were 681,000 cellular tele- phone subscriptions in the United States in 1986^4 and 326.4 million in December 2012. As late as December 2002, there were no houses that relied solely on wireless devices, but in 2012, 35.8 percent of U.S. house- holds were wireless only.^5 Throughout this study, the author tried to address questions related to cell phone addiction and analyze its consequent psychological effects.
II. Literature Review
Before analyzing human interactions with cell phones, it is important to understand the definition of addiction and addictive characteristics. Alaghemandan explained that all entities capable of stimulating a person can be addictive. In his article, “Behavioral addiction versus substance addiction: Correspondence of psychiatric and psychological views," he found that “whenever a habit changes into an obligation, it can be considered as an addiction.”^6 The Department of Internal Medicine conducted an experiment that evaluated how behavioral addiction correlated to substance addiction. According to their research, “Behavioral addiction such as internet addiction is similar to drug addiction except that in the former, the individual is not addicted to a substance but the behavior or the feeling brought about by the relevant action.”^7
Mozes introduced the concept of materialism and the factors that contribute to society’s obsession without devices. In his article, “Can Excessive Cellphone Use Become an Addiction , ” published by U.S. News & World Report, Mozes stated, “The way we treat and interact with our devices is often impulsive and uncontrollable. Roberts also explained that there are benefits to cell phones, but, “like anything, if we go overboard it can become a problem.”^8 Roberts explained that numerous factors including materialism and impulsiveness play a role in turning cell phone use into an addiction. Roberts was quoted by Mozes as saying, “That’s particularly true when we use them excessively in public,... Because when we do so we’re signaling that we’ve got this shiny object, this status symbol, our iPhone or Android or Blackberry, and that we’ve got important people to talk to or text, who are may be even more important than the people right in front of us. And that we’re so important that we have to talk everywhere and all the time in front of others.”^9
The article, “A Biblio Analysis of the Scientific Literature on Internet, Video Games, and Cell Phone Addiction,” published in the Journal of the Medical Library Association, concluded that the considerable amount of cell phone use in today’s global society isn’t as much an issue of addiction and dependence, but
- Joseph Brean, “Why This Ontario Family Ditched Their Smartphones so They Could Live for a Year like It’s 1986 - Mullets And all” National Post News Why This Ontario Family Ditched Their Smartphones so They Could Live for a Year like Its 1986 Mullets Andall Comments , Np, 9 June 2013, Web, 07 Oct, 2013.
- “Number of Cell Phones in the US,” Number of Cell Phones in the US. Np, 2002, Web, 28 Oct, 2013.
- “U.S. Wireless Quick Facts,” U.S. Wireless Quick Facts , CTIA Advocacy, Dec, 2012, Web, 28 Oct, 2013.
- S. S. Alavi, M. Ferdosi, F. Jannatifard, M. Eslami, H. Alaghemandan, & M. Setare, (2012), “Behavioral ad- diction versus substance addiction: Correspondence of psychiatric and psychological views,” International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3 (4) Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1287515141?accoun tid=10730.
- S. S. Alavi, M. Ferdosi, F. Jannatifard, M. Eslami, H. Alaghemandan, & M. Setare, (2012), “Behavioral ad- diction versus substance addiction: Correspondence of psychiatric and psychological views,” International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3 (4) Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1287515141?accoun tid=10730.
- Ibid.
- Alan Mozes, “Can Excessive Cellphone Use Become an Addiction?” US News. U.S. News & World Report, 04 Dec, 2012, Web, 7 Oct, 2013.
Students’ Cell Phone Addiction and their Opinions by Tessa Jones — 77
These feelings of stress and anxiety due to an absence of technology are new to teens across the globe. This addiction has altered the way humans personally interact with one another, and has created a distance in the ways in which we communicate. These devices have driven a wedge between intimate and direct conversation and communication. It is becoming an addiction that is impeding personal well-being, causing unnecessary anxieties and pressures. The research suggests that there needs to be a balance between time spent with these devices, and without them. Without a set balance, people will continue to become more obsessed and consumed by technology, and there is a concern that humans will lose all closeness and affection that can come from personalized conversations.
Based on the literature review, the following three research questions were asked in this study: RQ1. Are college-age students addicted to their cell phones? RQ2. What are obvious traits that show addiction to cell phones? RQ3. What psychological effects do people feel when they are disconnected?
III. Methods
Field observations and a survey were conducted to gauge the level of engagement that Elon University students have towards their devices, and with each other in face-to-face situations.
For this study, the author tried to capture a sample that is an accurate representation of the individuals affected by cell phone addiction. A survey of Elon University students between the ages of 18 and 22 was conducted. There were 65 responses to survey questions that were designed to gauge cell phone habits, primary uses of cell phones, and feelings and emotions individuals possess without their cell phone. (For a full list of survey questions, see Appendix A.)
Based on the survey results, the researcher conducted field observations at four locations on cam- pus. The observation locations were set at heavily populated student locations at times when more stu-dents would likely be present. The researcher recorded a number of interactions among the student popula-tion, including the number of students texting, talking on their phones, listening with ear buds, and the number of students who did not have contact with their devices. (Refer to Appendix B to see the full set up and design of the field observations.)
IV. Findings
The 9-question survey generated 65 responses from students. The vast majority of students, 95. percent owned an iPhone, while only two students owned a Droid, and one claimed they didn’t own a smart phone.
When asked the primary usage of their cell phone, texting was mentioned by 83.1 percent of stu- dents as the most used feature, followed by calling by 10.8 percent, and Facebook, Twitter or Instagram by 1.5 percent each. More than half of the students surveyed said they believe they are addicted to instant and constant communication (56.9%). Students reported feeling disconnected (77.4%), naked (25.8%) and stressed (25.8%) when they didn’t carry their cell phones. The wide range of feelings is due to the fact that people don’t like being uniformed about things happening within the world around them. People want to be in touch and receive information within seconds. Almost all students (98.5%) believe that young adults look for self-gratification and acceptance from their peers though social media, which is constantly available though cell phones. An overwhelming majority (82.8%) agreed that there are negative psychological impacts on the self-esteem of young adults due to their addiction to technology. Field observations were conducted to gauge Elon student’s interactions and behaviors with cell phones. More than 200 students were observed, and the results were somewhat surprising. The researcher found that 83 of the 191 students observed (43.5%) were either texting or holding their cell phone, while 68 students observed (35.6%) did not have their cell phone out at all. The other students were either talking on their cell phones (6.8%) or listening with ear buds (14.1%).
78 — The Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications • Vol. 5, No. 1 • Spring 2014
Based on the survey, it was possible to answer some of the original research questions raised. Re- garding the question on what were obvious traits that show addiction to cell phones, young adults feel the constant need to check their cell phones for any form of contact from family, friends and work. Of the students surveyed, 44 percent agreed with the statement, “When I walk across campus, the majority of people are on their cell phones.” Although this is true based on the field observations, many may find it surprising that just over a third of the students observed did not have their cell phone visible.
In an effort to find what psychological effects people felt when they were disconnected, the survey asked students to identify feelings and emotions associated with the absence of their cell phone. One stu- dent reported in the survey that without a cell phone, the student had a “fear of missing out,” commonly known as FOMO ("Fear of Missing Out"), in today’s society. About 77 percent of students surveyed said they felt disconnected, while others said they felt free without their devices.
When asked for any other feedback regarding the topic, students provided a number of responses. One student said, “I think that as a society we do rely on instant communication. It has become a blessing and a curse at the same time. Sometimes we do need times to decompress and get away from social media,” while another student simply claimed, “This is depressing.” Two separate respondents mentioned how time abroad has changed their opinion on cell phone use. One student said, "Meals with friends, hanging out with my host family, and other activities with other people are much more enjoyable without everyone looking at their phone. I hope that living abroad without being able to use my phone will make me use my phone less when I return to the States.” Another student responded, “When I was abroad it was such a relief to not be on my phone all the time and when I was on vacation. I wish I could feel like I could have that relief all the time but you are at such a disadvantage to not have your phone because you miss out on things.”
Two additional responses mentioned how students either worry, or have hope for the future in relation to cell phone behaviors. One student said, “The trend of cell phone addiction will only get worse,” while the second claimed, “I think [it’s] the change that is happening, and when our generation has kids, this won’t be an issue anymore.” Another student mentioned one possible impact of excessive cell phone use: “People often forget how to interact face-to-face because we use technology as a crutch to avoid true interaction.” The overall opinion of the majority of student’s surveyed was that they are aware of the behaviors of themselves and their peers. It appears that the addiction is real: young adults are influenced by the negative psychological effects associated with excessive cell phone use and self-gratification.
V. Conclusion
Observations and a survey of student’s on Elon’s campus showed that Elon is not an exception to the phenomenon that cell phone addiction is affecting many young adults. People are becoming more aware of their own personal habits and behaviors regarding interaction with their devices, and some people believe the obsession surrounding instant and constant communication will diminish by the time Generation Y parents have their own children. Some people claimed that these addictive behaviors and habits arise because they don’t want to be disconnected from their friends and family. They need to have their cell phones so they are able to respond, or reach out to people instantly, and impulsively. Others believe that the use of technology to communicate has decreased our ability to communicate with one another in person. As one survey participant put it, “I think people often forget how to interact face-to-face because we use technology as a crutch to avoid true interaction.”
All it takes to see the truth behind this is observe families and friends at a restaurant. Try to find one group of the targeted individuals who can go the entire duration of their meal without reaching for their cell phone. People also tend to feel much more comfortable behind the screen of a cell phone than in the presence of another person. This is where people lose the ability to face difficult issues and have vocal confrontations with one another. Scientific studies and surveys have shown that there are negative psychological effects related to cell phone addiction. Many young adults need validation that they are pretty or popular, and they use social media, accessed through most cell phones to achieve this self-gratification. Many individuals feel a heightened level of stress and anxiety when they are with their phones, because they are so used to constantly having instant access to communication; others feel free without them
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Appendix A: Survey Questions
- What type of cell phone do you own?
- What is the primary purpose of your cell phone (1 being the most used feature)
- Do you believe you are addicted to instant and constant communication?
- Do you ever purposely leave your cell phone at home to disconnect?
- How do you feel without your cell phone (stressed, disconnected, alone, naked…)
- Do you think young adults look for a sense of gratification through various platforms in technology? (Facebook, Twitter, Texts, Instagrams)
- Do you believe our addiction to technology contribute to negative psychological effects and self- esteem?
- Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following… (I am addicted to my cell phone, Americans as a whole are addicted to technology, When I walk across cam- pus, the majority of people are on their cell phones, I feel stressed and alone when I don’t have my cell phone, I wish society would rely less on instant and constant communication, I wish I could disconnect more and enjoy communicating with friends in person without the added distraction of cell phones.
- Do you have any other thoughts and opinions on society and our cell phone use?
Appendix B: Field Observations of students on four campus locations
McEwen Moseley Belk Library Powell Total Total (%) Holding or texting 16 31 23 13 83 43. Talking 3 4 4 2 13 6. Listening 5 9 10 3 27 14. No phone visible 26 7 19 16 68 35. Total 50 51 56 34 191 100. Notes: McEwen represents observations outside of McEwen Dining Hall between 3:00-3:15 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2013; Moseley means observations outside of Moseley Center by the flowerbed between 2:30-2: p.m. on Nov. 5, 2013; Belk Library was used when the author observed students entering or exiting Belk Library between 2:45-3:00 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2013; and the Powell observations were done while watching students crossing Haggard Ave. in front of Powell between 3:00-3:15 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2013.
