Struggling with phone addiction caused by feelings of sadness and anxiety, yet facing the prospect of cessation brings its own set of emotional distress

As we step into the New Year, let's take a moment to reflect on our relationship with our smartphones. A recent article in The Globe and Mail highlights the negative effects of smartphone use, including mental health issues, physical health problems, and social impacts.

Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, low self-esteem, and social anxiety can be exacerbated by excessive smartphone use. Physical health problems like sleep disturbances, fatigue, memory loss, reduced attention span, impaired cognitive functioning, neck pain, and auditory illusions are also common.

Moreover, smartphone use can lead to relationship and social issues, increasing loneliness, social isolation, poorer relationships with family and friends, conflicts, and neglect of responsibilities. Stress and work-life balance issues are also prevalent, as constant connectivity causes increased stress, burnout risk, and work bleeding into personal time.

Negative social media effects, such as feelings of inadequacy, envy, dissatisfaction, and a self-perpetuating cycle of anxiety and isolation, are also a concern.

However, it's important to note that the problem does not lie with the phones themselves, but with how our brains respond to the constant stimuli in apps and services.

So, how can we find a balance between smartphone use and being present with others? Practical strategies include setting boundaries and limits, practicing mindfulness and intentional use, increasing face-to-face interactions, using technology wisely, engaging in offline activities, and communicating your intentions to others.

By adopting these approaches, we can reduce the negative impacts of smartphone use while preserving its benefits, fostering healthier mental and physical states, and improving social relationships.

Moving on to the tech scene, Google appears to have a significant presence at CES 2018, with Google Assistant expanding in interesting and impressive ways. Huawei is also expected to make an important Android-related volley at the event, with the Mate 10 Pro set to be sold by a carrier, likely partnering with AT&T.

For those interested in behind-the-scenes coverage of CES 2018, Android Central's coverage can be found on Instagram.

As we navigate this digital age, let's strive to use our smartphones as tools, not as masters. Here's to a safe, happy, and balanced New Year!

[1] American Psychological Association. (2018). Stress in America: The impact of technology. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2017/tech.aspx [2] Common Sense Media. (2018). The impact of screen time on kids. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-impact-of-screen-time-on-kids [3] Royal Society for Public Health. (2017). #StatusOfMind: Social media and young people's mental health and wellbeing. https://www.rsph.org.uk/resources/publications/status-of-mind-social-media-and-young-people-s-mental-health-and-wellbeing.aspx [4] Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why today's super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more troubled. Atria Books. [5] World Health Organization. (2019). Mental health and substance use. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-and-substance-use