Smartphone Abuse Test

Indian Time ran a article on March 17, 2016, Vol. 34, #11, titled “Smart Phone Addiction”. The article gave thought to the question, ‘Am I addicted to my smart phone?’ Given the popularity of smartphones and how their use has increased greatly over the past five years, one can’t help but wonder. At least you should be questioning yourself on this. Granted, their convenience and powerful capabilities are undeniable. However, many people spend too much time using them or get distracted by them, neglecting healthy “real-time” presence or deeper interpersonal contact. We have compiled several questions conveniently called “The Simple Short Smartphone Abuse Test” that will help you to determine if your smartphone use has gotten out of hand, adversely affected your productivity or worse; created an imbalance in your personal or family life.

All the questions are answered simply “YES” or “NO” in the quiz. After answering all the questions, compile the number of YES answers and NO answers. Then check for yourself on how much your cell phone has on you.

1. Do you find yourself spending more time on your Smartphone than you realize?

Yes.

No.

2. Do you find yourself mindlessly passing time on a regular basis by staring at your Smartphone even when there might be better or more productive things to do?

Yes.

No.

3. Do you seem to lose track of time when on your Smartphone?

Yes.

No.

4. Do you find yourself spending more time with Texting, Tweeting, or Emailing as opposed to talking to real-time people?

Yes.

No.

5. Has the amount of time you spend on your Smartphone been increasing?

Yes.

No.

6. Do you secretly wish you could be a little less wired or connected to your Smartphone?

Yes.

No.

7. Do you sleep with your Smartphone ON under your pillow or next to your bed regularly?

Yes.

No.

8. Do you find yourself viewing and answering Texts, Tweets, and Emails at all hours of the day and night—even when it means interrupting other things you are doing?

Yes.

No.

9. Do you Text, Email, Tweet or Surf while driving or doing other similar activities that require your focused attention and concentration.

Yes.

No.

10. Do you feel your use of Smartphone actually decreases your productivity at times?

Yes.

No.

11. Do you feel reluctant to be without your Smartphone, even for a short time?

Yes.

No.

12. When you leave the house you ALWAYS have your Smartphone with you and you feel ill-at-ease or uncomfortable when you accidentally leave your Smartphone in the car or at home, or you have no service, or it is broken?

Yes.

No.

13. When you eat meals is your Smartphone always part of the table place setting?

Yes.

No.

14. When your phone rings, beeps, buzzes do you feel an intense urge to check for texts, tweets or emails, updates, etc.?

Yes.

No.

15. Do you find yourself mindlessly checking your phone many times a day even when you know there is likely nothing new or important to see?

Yes.

No.

There are 15 questions and if you answer YES to more than 5 questions you might benefit by examining how much time you spend on your Smartphone and consider changing your use patterns.