To ask if this hits you hard?

[Sadmac]

virtual-addiction.com/smartphone-compulsion-test/

I scored 11 points. I feel angry and upset that I've let my smartphone take over parts of my life. I don't really read books any more. My phone is on the bedside table at night and it's the last thing I do before I sleep, and the first thing I do when I wake up. When I leave my phone at home to go for a walk, I feel free, but if it's on my person then I have to check it. My DP gets upset that I check my phone when we are supposed to be doing something together. I'm self employed so my phone is integral to my day-to-day business, but needing it by my side has encouraged more and more mindless and pointless scrolling!

I think phone addiction is more serious than we are letting on. I know I'm not the only one. Anyone out there feel the same way I do and desperately want to change?

I scored 14, not surprised it is my New Years resolution to work on not using my phone so much. Tonight my phone will remain in the kitchen, then I’ll add on extra obstacles. I log my skins care routine on my phone so this will be challenging

I do. It has taken over my life. I also really worry about the effect on my kids of their use and of mine

I scored 3

Your behavior is leaning toward problematic or compulsive use.

it asked if my phone is by ,y bed- well yes as I use it fro the alarm and charge the phone at night - so it makes sense to have by the bed

My goal this evening is to turn off my phone at 9am and leave it downstairs, and read a chapter of a book book this evening! Sounds ridiculous typing this out because this is what I used to regularly do 10 years ago. In the last 8 years I feel like it's an extension of my body and it never leaves my side. A parasite of sorts. God, I'm pissed off that it's got to this!

It's a kind of daft / simplistic quiz though, and the results are silly too. (Only 1 - 2 score is acceptable, and even then comes with a warning not to 'live on your phone'. The higher scores suggest psychological or psychiatric help is needed 🤔)

I don't think the questions reflect the totality of our phone usage. I got a middling score but know I've problematic tendencies with my phone eg scrolling on MN or Netflix late at night, checking first thing.

But I do a lot of useful things with my phone eg I'm powering through books on Audible at the moment, loving it. It really helps me disconnect from work / stress.

Yikes! 13/15

I am also self employed and end up answering work messages (especially from overseas) at all hours, including 2-3am if I’m still awake.

I kid myself that I need my phone next to the bed for emergencies and for the alarm, but it means it’s the last thing I do at night - even scrolling on here while brushing my teeth and getting dressed. It’s definitely an addiction.

Even more so now that I’m single, as my DP and I used to make a concerted effort not to be on our phones when we were together in the evenings. Now I’m sat on my own watching TV I’m simultaneously scrolling FB and MN repeatedly all evening. It’s ridiculous.

9pm even!

I scored 7, 6 months ago it would have been 1-2 but I’ve been off work sick. Unable to do a great deal and having sold my business 2 years ago no lockdown no longer busy running it.
With Covid it has been my lifeline to the outside world.
I’m back to work tomorrow so the need for human contact will disappear and I’ll go back to normal usage.

I scored 10. The quiz is okay, but their ‘recommendations’ are bullshit.

If your score is over 8 you might consider seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychotherapist who specializes in behavioral addictions for a consultation.

Right, because the solution is throwing money at someone to tell me what I already know I’m as addicted to my phone as I am to Aldi’s chilli cheese nuggets right now, but I don’t need a psychiatrist to tell me that. The not so simple is to put the bloody thing down, that’s it.

Solution*!

I agree, the quiz definitely revealed some definite truths but their advice is crap. I ignored that bit!

I scored 8 and now I need to see a psychiatrist!

However I don't take it that seriously. Anyone who has a child needs to be contactable. Most people use their phone as an alarm clock. Most of us think we should look at the phone less. I doubt anyone who is completely honest could get a low score.

The one box I was very glad to tick "No" to was the compulsion to use my phone whilst driving...

@Sadmac

My goal this evening is to turn off my phone at 9am and leave it downstairs, and read a chapter of a book book this evening! Sounds ridiculous typing this out because this is what I used to regularly do 10 years ago. In the last 8 years I feel like it's an extension of my body and it never leaves my side. A parasite of sorts. God, I'm pissed off that it's got to this!

So to me, this sounds like a reaction similar to those jumping into diets and exercise kicks I January. I don't disagree that you want to moderate your use, but be careful of making a huge change that you may fail at and then the cycle of guilt etc. Perhaps start with small, meaningful changes that you can sustain, like leaving it in another room and buying an alarm clock. Not taking it on walks. Switching off certain notifications.

Not done it but know I’ll be high. I do need to reduce my phone usage too. I want to read more, I have a kindle app though and end up reading on my phone! Going to make an effort to use it less as I work on a laptop screen all day and any downtime I’m on my phone. Getting a lot of headaches lately too

Even if you answer no to every question, it still implies there's a potential problem with your phone use!

I think the test is a bit of a blunt instrument as it lumps all smart phone use as one, whereas I think there's a difference between doomscrolling through twitter vs making arrangements with friends or doing an online shop.

I got “error occurred” and started doing the quiz again automatically, because CLICKING and SCROLLING. I’m going to put it down for the evening and read a book.

The Forest app is helpful to break the addiction. Really I should switch to a Nokia type crap phone just for calls/texts but my smartphone is also my camera and I’d miss taking pictures of DD; plus messaging social media friends is a bit of a lifeline in lockdowns/when DC curtail going out.

I scored very high, but it means absolutely nothing as there's no nuance in the questions.

Yes my phone is with me 24/7, even in the shower. But it's a medical need and a security need.

Other than that I do spend too much time scrolling & posting on MN etc BUT that's also because of my health/injury recovery, I'm exhausted and have very limited ability to focus on books/paperwork/decisions etc or the physical stamina to do a lot, so I faff on my phone.

I think I spend too much time on my phone but unfortunately couldn't do the quiz as it kept coming up with error at the end. I reckon I got about 7 or 8.
Phones are useful but the majority of us are just too dependent on them.

They should do a quiz for tablets, I can leave my phone alone for hours when at home but not my tablet.

I haven’t for the quiz.
My phone is beside my bed every night because of elderly relatives potentially needing help. I’m on call 24hrs. Also, I like to know my adult children can get hold of me.

13

But it doesn't worry me. I use it for work communication, read books on it as well as social media.

Yes I’m too dependent on mine. Getting an alarm clock and charging your phone outside of the bedroom is helpful.

I’m not doing the quiz because I know I’ll score 100%

As my username suggests I have ADHD and I need the constant stimulation.

I’m not sure I need a psychiatrist but the quiz has told me what I already know- I have a worrying compulsion/addiction. I’m going to leave it downstairs tonight. This is already making me itchy…