Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if this hits you hard?

133 replies

Sadmac · 03/01/2022 20:11

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?

OP posts:
ChargingBuck · 04/01/2022 10:37

@emmaluggs

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
?????

@emmaluggs - what?!

Why do you need to log your skin care routine?
Can you not simply wash your face & crack on with your day?
Genuinely don't understand!

ChargingBuck · 04/01/2022 10:41

I'm not convinced that the test was constructed under scientific parameters - it lacks logic for starters:

1. Do you find yourself spending more time on your cell or smartphone than you realize?

If you were spending more time on your phone than you realise ... how would you know? You wouldn't realise, so the question is redundant.

Grandville · 04/01/2022 10:45

This quiz is bollocks. Yes I could spend less time on forums and be more productive but I also spent time on forums before smartphones were a thing.

I use my phone for everything including banking, all my bills, communication, alarms, listening to the radio, music, newspapers, books etc. I used to do these things with different devices.

Of course I use it a lot.

ILoveHuskies · 04/01/2022 10:50

Oh god I got 11 points

I really need to curb it

ironically typing this on my phone ugh

emmaluggs · 04/01/2022 10:52

@ChargingBuck

Unfortunately not my skin needs a lot more work than simple wash an moisturise I’m showing signs of aging so battling through those 🤣

suckingonchillidogs · 04/01/2022 10:54

I want to cut down too. I do shut it away at night in a drawer though - I still have an alarm clock. It's quicker to look at a clock than to check the time on your phone anyway

TueWed · 04/01/2022 11:08

@GrandDuchessRomanov

I scored 0 but then I don't have a mobile phone of any description, smart or otherwise.

Not yet needed or wanted one.

Sad how reliant people are on them

I use mine to keep up on world events (news) keep in touch (friends, family, etc) move money and pay my bills, make my shopping lists, pay for my shopping, play a few games, sell stuff, buy stuff, arrange appointments, (giving blood, nhs etc), set reminders, read books, read comics, watch the odd video, listen to music, listen to books

All on a single device....I mean I could carry around an ipod, a TV and dvd player, a wallet, a book, a calendar, a phone, a phone book, a games console, a notebook.... but why do i need to?

TueWed · 04/01/2022 11:09

oh and a recipe book for cooking as well

ldontWanna · 04/01/2022 11:18

@Sedai

I've definitely been too dependent on mine. I've got into reading again so now I'll read a few pages on the train, on my break, to settle me for bed etc and its a lovely feeling craving your book instead of a flick through your phone.
I read (A LOT) on my phone.
ldontWanna · 04/01/2022 11:20

@GrandDuchessRomanov

I scored 0 but then I don't have a mobile phone of any description, smart or otherwise.

Not yet needed or wanted one.

Sad how reliant people are on them

Well you have some kind of device connected to wifi which you use for one thing or the other. Probably other separate things that you need/use frequently either for fun or practical reasons.

I just have it all on my phone because it's cheaper, practical and I don't have a lot of space.

billy1966 · 04/01/2022 11:34

Yea I'm definitely on mine too much.

I am on it a lot sitting in my car waiting around for kids at school, matches, activities.
But I used to be a voracious reader and the phone has replaced that for sure.

CounsellorTroi · 04/01/2022 11:37

@phishy

They should do a quiz for tablets, I can leave my phone alone for hours when at home but not my tablet.
Same here!
CounsellorTroi · 04/01/2022 11:39

Meant to add I use my tablet as an e reader, play games, stream film and tv and Mumsnet so I’m on it far too much.

zingally · 04/01/2022 11:50

I got 9.

But I knew I'm too obsessed with it. I can easily spend an hour or more flipping through TikTok, only intending to spend a couple of minutes on it. I have mild ADHD though, so I know that plays into it somewhat.

Nanny0gg · 04/01/2022 12:04

@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

Why do you charge it when you're asleep?

I always understood that charging anything can be a fire hazard.

ivykaty44 · 04/01/2022 18:04

I always understood that charging anything can be a fire hazard.

Can phone chargers cause fires? The risk of any device catching fire is so small that it shouldn't be a cause for concern, but any electrical device in your home has the ability to catch fire, including phone chargers.

@Nanny0gg so should we be unplugging every single electrical item in our homes?

phishy · 04/01/2022 19:14

@CounsellorTroi

Meant to add I use my tablet as an e reader, play games, stream film and tv and Mumsnet so I’m on it far too much.
Exactly the same for me Counsellor It's uncanny!
OnlyTheTitosaurusOfTheIceberg · 04/01/2022 19:30

13/15. The two I answered no to were do you use while driving, and does your level of usage bother you. No it doesn’t so fuck off judgypants quiz!

Nanny0gg · 04/01/2022 19:34

@ivykaty44

I always understood that charging anything can be a fire hazard.

Can phone chargers cause fires? The risk of any device catching fire is so small that it shouldn't be a cause for concern, but any electrical device in your home has the ability to catch fire, including phone chargers.

@Nanny0gg so should we be unplugging every single electrical item in our homes?

No. Although it wasn't that long ago we unplugged the TV before bed.

I just never leave anything on charge overnight

HumphreysCorner · 04/01/2022 21:42

I'm 8 which I'm surprised at.

BatshitBanshee · 04/01/2022 21:45

I've put timers on my apps so I can't access them after 30mins usage or whatever. I've discussed with DH getting a landline back so I don't feel I have to have my phone on my all day to be contactable. I glanced at my screen usage today and it's 2hours and 40 mins - last week I clocked up 4 hours!!!!!! I'm disgusted. I'm aware that accounts for my podcasts/messaging/email etc and not just social media but it's made me more determined to sack off the phone.

Andtheyalllookjustthesame · 05/01/2022 09:01

Phones can overheat and cause fires when left plugged in once fully charged. So it's best not to leave them charging overnight.

amicissimma · 05/01/2022 10:47

I find it odd that they deem using the phone a lot to be a bad thing.

Sometimes I read the newspaper, or a book on my phone. I'd be just reading in some other form without the phone. My church doesn't give out bibles since Covid so I follow the readings on my phone. I use it instead of turning on the TV for the News, and sometimes watch something on it, instead of the TV.

I can look something up, maybe facts arising from a discussion, or bus or train times, without having to go to a computer and do so.

As for time passing, I find it very useful to make time pass while I'm doing something tedious like waiting in yet another endless queue, or other waiting, which seems to have increased so much with Covid.

I have a family member in tricky health at the moment who I may need to go and help out at a moment's notice. Much better if I answer her call sooner rather than later because I have my phone to hand.

So many of the 'bad' things about the phone I think of as good things.

sashh · 05/01/2022 11:18

I scored 1.

I sometimes have a 'phone holiday' ie a week with it turned off.

ldontWanna · 05/01/2022 11:24

@BatshitBanshee

I've put timers on my apps so I can't access them after 30mins usage or whatever. I've discussed with DH getting a landline back so I don't feel I have to have my phone on my all day to be contactable. I glanced at my screen usage today and it's 2hours and 40 mins - last week I clocked up 4 hours!!!!!! I'm disgusted. I'm aware that accounts for my podcasts/messaging/email etc and not just social media but it's made me more determined to sack off the phone.
Disgusted? Really? That's a bit extreme...