This article has been written to give people an idea of ‘Nomophobia’ and help them understand the few symptoms of phone addiction and make them understand if the kid around them is Nomophobic, also I have suggested some ways to overcome Nomophobia. ‘Nomophobia’ (Nomo-Phobia) or ‘No Mobile Phone Phobia’ is a term which means “fear of being without a mobile phone”. The term was coined by the United Kingdom (UK) Post Office in 2008 that commissioned YouGov, a research organization, to look at anxieties suffered by smart phone users. Kids nowadays have a very complex relationship with technology, especially in times like this where Covid took over and kids were directed to follow up the online schedule. Kids have to join classes via, Online mode (quarantine induced zoom calls). It usually seems frustrating when you want to talk to your kid and the kid doesn't peel his eyes away from the phone. Teenagers use phones for a variety of reasons both personal and professional. Instead of counting the usage time, we should be worried about how they use their phone. Similarly, kids have been using phones for attending online classes and for entertainment purposes. The toddler is in a growing and learning stage of life. Nowadays, even toddlers are being seen attracted towards the smart phones. In Kashmir, I have seen majority of the kids aged less than 3 years who rely on phone to the extent that they don’t even eat without having smart phone in front of them. I have seen my nephews aged less than 5 years watching cartoons on YouTube and in between the advertisements come up, they click and scroll on nonsense at times wherein they learn the stuff which they shouldn't. In general, I believe “Mindless scrolling can waste your precious time and it affects your life a lot”. Nomophobia is growing that is why we always must be careful and cautious while giving smart phone to kids.

Symptoms of Phone Addiction

1. Using phone in prohibited situations (e.g., texting or calling while driving, etc)
2.Excessively using the phone to the extent that family conflicts arise.
3.Feeling a strong need to check the phone every few minutes.
4.Insomnia or sleep disturbances (waking in between sleep and checking the phone)
5.Feeling saddened, Increased anxiety, and/or irritability if the phone is not accessible
6.A strong urge to respond immediately to messages.

Questions for Parents that Help them Understand if their Kid is Nomophhobic

1.Does the kid become aggressive when the phone is taken away or unable to be used?
2.Does the kid skip or avoid extracurricular activities to use the phone instead?
3.Is the kid's personal care (hygiene), friendships, family relationships, or school work negatively affected by phone use?
4.Does “phone use” interfere with kid’s normal sleep routine?
5.Are there any major changes in the kid's mood that can’t otherwise be explained?

How to Overcome Nomophobia

“Phone use” can be of benefit, as kids use phones to do so many useful tasks but on the other hand side being constantly connected with the phones is not a good sign. It is important to make kids understand to control the “phone use” and maintain a good balance. Few things one can do that helps in providing proper guidance to kids include,

Educate the Kids

Openly talk about the pros and cons of screen time. Constant Lecturing will rarely yields positive results, but asking your kids about the pros and cons can spark lively conversations like you can ask them, How does too much screen time affect us physically, emotionally, academically, and socially? What can we gain from using our phones responsibly?

Plan

Set certain rules in the family, like, do not allow “phone use” during lunch time and dinner time. It will help when parents or family limits the screen time.
Monitor: Kids look for other places when they feel like they are being watched. Make monitoring a family rule so that kids own up to their usage and behavior online. Talk with your kids about healthy and realistic limits.

Make a check-in policy

Phones should be removed from the bedroom at night to not cause sleep disturbance and insomnia. Create a plan to check their devices in at a certain time in the evening and out in the morning.

Make Healthy Boundaries

When parents are stick to their phones, kids learn that this is appropriate behavior. Limit the “phone use”

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