February 2012
Featured in this insight: IT & telecommunications
Survey discovers increase in people terrified of being without a mobile phone: Recent market research has uncovered a steep rise in nomophobia in the UK _ an anxiety disorder characterised by extreme and irrational fear when people are away from their mobile phones.
First identified in 2008, this 21st century phobia has seen an 8% increase in Britain within a three year period.
In total, two thirds of the people who took part in the survey admitted to terrified at the thought of losing or being without their mobile.
The younger generation has been revealed as presenting the highest rates of nomophobia – 77% of the surveyants with the disorder were aged 18 to 24, while 68% were of the 25 to 34 age group.
The study further found that women tend to be most nomophobic at 70%, compared to 61% of men who have the phobia.
In addition to high levels of stress felt by nomophobics, people have been found to take unusual measures to alleviate their condition. Many surveyants admitted to keeping more than one phone at hand to combat their anxiety, particularly men at 47% compared to 36% of women.
The nomophobiacs who took part in the study also admitted to checking their phone 34 times a day on average.
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