Can you Imagine Life Without Your Phone?

Are you a member of Mobile Phones Anonymous? In other words, are you addicted to your mobile phone?

Now before you start to roll your eyes, let’s see how you answer these questions:

If you can answer ‘Yes’ to the above, the chances are that you should become a member of Mobile Phones Anonymous because you are probably a device slave.

We are a generation that has become addicted to our mobile devices although we don't yet know the consequences of this in the years to come. We will not know the effect on our bodies, and brains, until further research becomes available as to the long-term consequences, if any, on our mental and cognitive acuity. And what about our being role models to our children? Are you leading by example?

Mobile phones have become, for some, a virtual body organ who, it would appear, would rather be without their kidney or liver rather than without their mobile phone.

Many cannot now imagine life without their iPhone. What would your virtual Facebook friends think if you didn't update your account countless times per day? Maybe they would think you were unwell. But if you were unwell, the chances are you would have your phone by your side in your bed so that you wouldn't miss a post. So it couldn't be that! Maybe you just dropped your iPhone and damaged it beyond repair - but then you would most likely have gadget insurance so that you would get a replacement in 24 hours!

And what if your phone battery runs out of charge and you forgot your cell charging unit! Doubtless, you would sit staring at your dead phone, willing it to spring back to life!

And what about your health? We really don't know if the LED emissions coming from the screen is going to leave you with long-term eye sight problems or the electro-magnetic radiation, with hearing difficulties. The truth is we just don’t know.

So what is the purpose of this rant? Well, it was brought about by my sitting in a restaurant while writing this column and watching a couple arrive for dinner, holding hands. I thought to myself, how lovely to make time for a special romantic evening. They were given the menu to choose from and then within five minutes of ordering, the man started to talk to his watch and the woman started tapping away at her phone! But then, wait for it, they both still managed to communicate electronically even whilst eating! Eventually, the bill was paid and then they went on their way, walking out hand in hand. Well, call me ‘old fashioned’ but somehow this ‘together time’ did not ooze any communication – except, of course, via Facebook or Twitter!

And before you say it, I know what is going through your mind. What was I doing in a restaurant with my laptop? Don't worry - I was ahead of you! I wasn't with anyone else!

And so for my Star Trek sci-fi fans who remember looking at their futuristic gadgets and thinking we would never be using anything like those – well, we are and I wonder what Captain Kirk and Spock would have thought of all of this while they were travelling around the galaxy in their Starship Enterprise.

Anyway, enough from me, my time is up, so – ‘Beam me up Scotty!’

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The Author: Carole Spiers

Carole’s credibility is rooted in 20 years success as CEO of a leading UK stress management consultancy, working with equal success both in the UK and the Gulf. She is a world authority on corporate stress and BBC Guest-Broadcaster. Carole is an international motivational speaker, and a weekly Gulf News business columnist. Contact Carole to deliver a motivation business presentation at your next Conference or Seminar.

website: www.carolespiers.co.uk
email: info@carolespiers.co.uk