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?

Yeah - that is slightly hilarious and utterly simplistic, lacking any context.

8 and need a psychiatrist 😂😂

I have it in my room for charging and the alarm.

I feel uneasy if I don't have it because I have 4dc, one of whose has SEN and I need to be contactable when not with them. SEN dc has occasional violent meltdowns and I need phone access available when this happens as I sometimes need to call in help.

I don't think there's anything wrong with whiling away spare moments here and there that could not be profitably spent doing something else having a little browse - like when I'm cooking and have 5 mins when I need to be in the kitchen but not actively doing anything, or when I'm waiting in line somewhere.

To be honest - I think that quiz might cause more problems than it solves by making someone feel guilty about what can be perfectly legitimate and non problematic phone use. It seems to believe that if you have a phone and do anything with it other than twice a day text/email checking or making calls then you are addicted. Ridiculous.

I scored 2. My husband, 2 sons and 10 year old granddaughter are always on their bloody phones. They're obsessed. When they're all looking at them, and the 7 year old granddaughter is looking at shit on her tab, I could fucking well scream

@ivykaty44

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

Same. I scored four but it's on charge all night plus I have an elderly parent and suicidal daughter so just because it's by my bed it doesn't mean I'm using it

Yes I take it to bed, so it’s charged in the morning - I need it to get to work as my bus pass is online! It also has my music on so the commute is actually bearable.

Yes I feel panicked if it breaks, I’m a lone parent without a landline.

But no I don’t respond to things late at night, I don’t use it when I’m at work/cooking and I don’t drive. Nor do I socialise more on my phone than in person.

Also I have ADHD so need multiple types of stimulation at all fucken times

No idea

I scored 10...
I heard a tip on a podcast the other day about switching your phone to grey scale. Supposedly it stops you using it as much!

Might give that a go...

Oh, and my psychiatrist said to me “Whatever keeps you alive” when I mentioned I was a tad concerned about my phone use.

My phone has multiple useful apps to manage my ADHD, anxiety and PTSD.

I got “error occurred” think that means I’m fucked.

I don't get this concern. My phone is a dictionary, it can answer any question, like when reading and I stumble upon an unfamiliar word, I still read actual books but I understand people use their phones to read too, I love listening to audio books, I have spotify, it tracks my packages, it allows me to speak to people, do video calls and messages, I can play games when waiting, what's the issue?

Do you find yourself spending more time texting, tweeting or emailing as opposed to talking to people in person?

Yes, but I'm autistic so prefer that.

Do you sleep with your cell or smartphone (turned on) under your pillow or next to your bed regularly?

Yes, but in lieu of an alarm clock.

Do you feel ill-at-ease or uncomfortable when you accidentally leave your smartphone in the car or at home, have no service or have a broken phone?

Yes, because if I need to call someone for reassurance over something I can't.

The questions are questionable - these examples would score me bad but they are genuinely non addicted reasons. My smartphone and online life is necessary for my mental well-being because my autism means that's where I like my conversation to be and it's a game changer in terms of contact for me.

It is hilariously unscientific. A psychiatrist? I wonder what the author does for a living 🤔

I broke it. Not sure if that's because I was off the scale at the 'good' end or the 'bad' one...

@TueWed

No idea

Same here and I actually answered it honestly.

Cant be bothered to do it again

I really want to cut my phone usage down for my kids sake. I don't want them to see me on it all the time

I scored 3.

That's leaning towards problematic.

You literally had to say you do t check any texts or emails ever to score 1/2 and it not be a problem. The answers were very bias towards cell phone use being a problem.

I know mine isn't because I get up and check it. Take ds swim training, come home and go to work. It's in silent all day in the classroom. Check it when I get home and take ds swimming again.

I'll play a game or use Mn for a little bit and use it for my alarm.

During school holidays I do scroll aimlessly and while away time. But it doesn't rule my life.

I do however feel anxious if it isn't with me. But it doesn't ask why. Mines because disabled ds needs to contact me whenever he needs me.

You can move into my house for a week, we have no mobile signal and I won't give you the wifi code

My honest answer to every question was no & that gives you an error occurred message.

But as I regularly forget to even charge my phone & only use it when out of the house to call a cab to get home I wasn't expecting anything bad.

Oh waa, waa, waa. I don't even need to take the test to know it is going to be scaremongering unscientific crap, you can smell the grift a mile off. Was there, by any chance, a handy list of 'counsellors' you can go to if you have WAA BOOHOO a 'concerning' score?

God yes.

I bought a phone safe - it’s very good, as long as I actually use it..

What a load of crap!

It's like all the opinion columnists and z-listers whining about the eeeeevils of social media. It's just too terrible for the public to communicate with one another without supervision from their betters. They might, WAA WAA WAA discover that those in authority are not necessarily telling them the truth and do not have their best interests at heart.

It said "error occurred" when I submitted the answers, but I reckon I answered "yes" to at least 8 of the questions.

I got full marks.
Should clarify that I don’t use my phone whilst driving, but I do have the urge to do so. And find it hard not being able to look at it.

I didn't get a score as it gives an error message, but I assume I score really high. That's because instead of other devices or things, i just use my phone. I read books on it, listen to music, watch clips/series, play games, talk to my friends, do online courses or research , mess around on MN, take pics etc. It's next to my bed as that's where it charges ,I use it as an alarm and I like to read before bed. I'm also not happy if I leave it at home as OH or DD's school can't get in touch with me. It's always on silent though, dunno if that gives me any extra brownie points.