This post contains some of the best phone addiction quotes.
What Is Phone Addiction?
Phone addiction, also known as smartphone addiction or nomophobia (fear of being without a mobile device), refers to excessive and compulsive use of smartphones or other mobile devices that interferes with daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being.
It is characterized by a strong dependence on the device, an inability to control or limit usage, and experiencing distress or withdrawal symptoms when separated from it.
Signs and symptoms of phone addiction may include:
1. Excessive use: Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone, often to the detriment of other important activities such as work, school, or social interactions.
2. Preoccupation with the device: Constantly thinking about using or checking the phone, even in situations where it’s considered inappropriate or unsafe.
3. Withdrawal symptoms: Feeling anxious, agitated, or irritable when the phone is unavailable or out of reach.
4. Neglecting responsibilities: Neglecting important tasks or commitments, such as work, relationships, or self-care, due to excessive phone use.
5. Interruption of sleep patterns: Using the phone late at night, leading to disrupted sleep patterns and fatigue.
6. Impact on relationships: Neglecting face-to-face interactions or becoming less engaged in personal relationships because of excessive phone use.
7. Loss of productivity: Decreased ability to concentrate, focus, or complete tasks efficiently due to phone distractions.
8. Experiencing phantom vibrations: Having a constant sensation of the phone vibrating, even when it’s not.
Phone Addiction Quotes
1. “A 2017 poll on mobile device usage from Common Sense Media revealed that 50 percent of US teens admitted that they “feel addicted” to their mobile devices.” – Hilda Burke
2. “Does age constitute maturity or an accumulation of observations? If you look at your phone all day and you’re 40 and the 22-year-old for all their life has roamed life hands-free, who has lived longer? Why measure age when you can measure the development and streak of your consciousness? How often are you in control? Not because you’re controlling a phone— because really you’re just receiving stimuli and algorithms control you. How often do you think? I miss the time where the high seats playing God in their big offices were scared of the person who thinks. But they’re not anymore. Because they already won. The threat died. No one thinks.”
― Karl Kristian Flores
3. “I made a mistake when I gave my older children phones when they were 13. It ended my relationship with them, really. Not completely, but it became a very, very big part of their lives. They became too inundated with imagery and started to compare themselves to other people, and that’s really bad for self-growth.” — Madonna
4. “I think a lot of people get lost. They start following iconic figures and get drowned in the pool of celebrities. Our society, as we know it, is definitely changing. With social media and cell phones, you freak out when you don’t know what’s going on.” — Israel Broussard
5. “I’m not always attached to my phone, sometimes it’s charging.” — Unknown
Related: How To Stop Bad Habits And Addictions?
6. “If social media controls you and is robbing you of your freedom and good emotional energy chances are you’re addicted and it’s time to find another hobby.” ― Germany Kent
7. “If your family has gotten used to having devices at the table, it can be difficult to break the cycle… Find a starting point that works for you and use it as an opportunity to reset the relationship between meals and devices.” ― Thatcher Wine
8. “In recent years, the lives we live seem to be getting busier and busier. Technology has increasingly made its way into every part of our existence — nearly everyone has powerful smartphones in their hands, pockets, or somewhere close. Economic and societal pressure has increased the need, or at least the perception, that we should always be doing and striving for more.” ― Thatcher Wine
9. “Life without a phone is riskier, lonelier, more vivid.” ― Eloisa James
10. “Man does not really love social media; he merely hates boredom and loneliness.” ― Mokokoma Mokhonoana
11. “More than 80% of Millennials sleep with their cell phones (as compared to only a third of Boomers); More than half check them in the middle of the night. A third send over 35 text messages after having gone to bed. For digital natives, life is lived mediated.” ― Julie Albright
12. “Of course smartphones are brilliant inventions, but the nefarious thing about Twitter and other social media is that it starts to fill all the gaps in your day. I quickly become an addict.” — Nick Offerman
13. “Once the internet colonizes you in a bad way, so your future too” ― Lapatha
14. “Our attention spans have been reduced by the immediate gratification provided by smartphones and social media.” Katherine Ryan
15. “Pay attention to humans, not to your phone.” ― Abhijit Naskar
Related: How To Achieve Emotional Sobriety? (+FREE Emotional Sobriety Worksheets)
16. “Phone breaks are in a way the new smoke breaks.” A.D. Aliwat
17. “Phones are neither good nor bad, they are just lifeless machines that were invented to serve humankind, yet humankind, with their everlasting stupidity have turned this communication marvel into psychological suicide.” ― Abhijit Naskar
18. “Since the Internet has conquered human interaction, let me deepen my subscription
to introversion.” ― Makuochukwu Okigbo
19. “Smartphones are a great portal for knowledge, but when the people do not know how to use them, those very devices do more harm to the inner wellbeing of a person, young and old alike, than they do good.” ― Abhijit Naskar
20. “So that’s the telephone? They ring, and you run.”― Edgar Degas
21. “The challenge of being a good listener is not a new problem, but technology makes it easier to cover it up. We can be on the phone or in a meeting, and keep up just enough, saying the right thing at the right time, while being engaged in something else on our devices.” ― Thatcher Wine
22. “The difference between technology and slavery is that slaves are fully aware that they are not free” ― Nassim Nicholas Taleb
23. “The less devices you have to charge, the more charge you have for your mind.” ― Abhijit Naskar
24. “Turn off all notifications on your phone, except the most important ones. And check your social media only once or twice a day, not every minute. If you can do this, then perhaps there is a possibility, that society will not completely lose its sanity and health after all.” ― Abhijit Naskar
25. “We all need a technological detox; we need to throw away our phones and computers instead of using them as our pseudo-defence system for anything that comes our way. We need to be bored and not have anything to use to shield the boredom away from us. We need to be lonely and see what it is we really feel when we are. If we continue to distract ourselves so we never have to face the realities in front of us, when the time comes and you are faced with something bigger than what your phone, food, or friends can fix, you will be in big trouble.” ― Evan Sutter
Related: Are You Addicted To Your Phone Quiz (+Digital Detox Challenge)
26. “A digital detox will remind you of the important things in your life you’ve been sacrificing to feed your addiction.” – Damon Zahariades
27. “Addiction leaves clues. It manifests in ways that are easy to recognize if you know what to look for. Many clues vary according to the tool feeding your addiction. For example, if you’re addicted to your smartphone, you’ll notice symptoms that are different than those experienced by a video game addict.” – Damon Zahariades
28. “Addiction to the internet, video games, news media, and social media has a negative effect on the addict’s social life. He stops responding to phone calls from his family. He declines invitations to go out with his friends. Instead, he stays at home, eyes glued to his computer, phone, and video games. Consequently, the tech junkie’s relationships begin to erode.” – Damon Zahariades
Related: Impulsivity Test: Am I Impulsive?
29. “All addictions, from an obsession with gambling and drugs to video games and technology, are based on the same fundamental dynamic: the brain’s expectation that engaging in a particular activity will produce a reward. The reward may not be obvious to the addict. In fact, it’s sometimes counterintuitive since it poses potential harm. But the brain still interprets it as a positive experience. ” – Damon Zahariades
30. “Every time you use (or overuse) technology, you get the equivalent of dopamine and/or a serotonin release, which behavioral experts say is the same high or pleasure you get from gambling, drugs, and other things that can induce an addiction” – James W. Williams & Amy White
31. “From the moment you wake up until you’ve thrown the first cup of coffee down your throat, your attention is dominated by technology. Texts, emails, social media, games, news headlines, blogs, and YouTube videos hold you captive in a vice-like grip. Worse, the rest of the day follows the same course. Your phone buzzes, signaling the arrival of a new text and you find yourself unable to resist checking it. You receive a notification in your browser that a new email has arrived and you immediately drop everything to read it. You visit Facebook, promising yourself that you’ll only spend a few minutes, only to surf aimlessly for an hour. If you relate to the above circumstances, I have bad news. You’re likely addicted to technology.” – Damon Zahariades
Related: Undercontrolled (UC) Personality Vs. Overcontrolled (OC) Personality
32. “Here’s a fact—digital technology today has become a force to reckon with in our lives. It is both increasingly powerful and more readily available. It is relatively cheap (depending on the type of phone you’re using anyway). And on top of all of that, it is very addictive. Today, experts use multiple terms to describe this type of experience. Sometimes, they call it internet addiction, smartphone addiction, and others.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
33. “Individuals who are addicted to their phones and other gadgets typically struggle with an even shorter attention span. They’re prone to distractions and their ability to concentrate is thus even further impaired.” – Damon Zahariades
34. “Internet addiction is real. Millions of people suffer from it. And when they’re prevented from going online, they experience withdrawal symptoms that are like those suffered by drug addicts.” – Damon Zahariades
35. “It is easier to prevent digital technology addiction from occurring than to stop one that is already ongoing. I also understand that it is impossible to take technology out of the hands of our kids. It is such a norm today, and they will also eventually use digital technology when they grow older. The smart way to do things is to train them early on in order to be more responsible users of digital technology.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
Related: Porn Addiction Test (+Best 6 Tips On How To Get Free From Porn Addiction)
36. “It might take a bit of effort to finally acknowledge that we are addicted to digital technology. It comes in many forms—smartphone, social media, internet, and videogame addiction, among others. These technologies have some things in common. They were created to be used daily and they are also specifically designed to steal people’s attention.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
37. “It shouldn’t be a surprise that technology addicts routinely experience lapses in impulse control. They reach for their phones whenever they hear a beep or feel a vibration. They compulsively check their email. They spend hours on Facebook, desperately looking for something to end their boredom. Their willingness to sacrifice their social lives, long-term health, and happiness to feed their addiction is, by itself, compelling evidence of a lack of self-control.” – Damon Zahariades
38. “Just like physical, emotional, or psychological issues, our digital tools and products can also become an impediment to us. They make us lose our focus, worry too much, and at times cause us to overthink things. They can even stress us out or, at the opposite end of the spectrum, they can make us rely on and be addicted to technology.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
39. “No one plans to become addicted to their smartphones, tablets, and other devices. We use technology with the intention to make our lives better.” – Damon Zahariades
Related: How To Step Out Of Denial? Top 10 Steps To Overcome Denial When The Truth Is Heartbreaking
40. “Of course, the problem is that it’s easy to become addicted. It’s like eating chocolate. An occasional piece can be a wonderful treat. But it’s easy to overindulge, develop a dependency, and form an addiction.” – Damon Zahariades
41. “Often a weekend works best, since the detox is only a couple of days. And please don’t undertake this Digital Diet in isolation. In fact, do quite the opposite. Inform as many friends and family members as you can about your decision to make this change. Set up an out-of-office message saying you won’t be online for the next couple of days (let them assume it’s a vacation, if you’d like).” – Daniel Sieberg
42. “Our addiction to digital technology is based on the stimuli that we gain from it. Some people have become so dependent on their gadgets that their purpose in using them is to make themselves feel better.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
Related: Top 10 Books For Addiction Recovery
43. “Our phones and other devices enrich our lives in myriad ways. The problem is, continued use makes us increasingly dependent on them. The more we use our phones, tablets, and laptops for non-work activities – for example, surfing Facebook and Pinterest or playing games – the greater becomes our dependency on them. That’s the road to addiction.” – Damon Zahariades
44. “Our phones are tools of compulsion. We receive a text and instantly read it and respond. We receive a phone call and immediately answer it. Between the texts and calls, we neurotically check Facebook for new posts and Twitter for new tweets. When we’re done with social media, we check our email, search for news headlines, and watch YouTube videos. In short, we’re addicted.” – Damon Zahariades
45. “Researchers have found that tech addicts are more inclined to feed their addiction because the gadgets that make it possible are everywhere. They’re always within reach. Nearly everyone has a smartphone (Pew Internet found that 68% of adults in the U.S. owned at least one). Tablet ownership is nearly as prevalent; 45% of U.S. adults own one. And of course, laptops and desktop computers are as common as dirt. The tools needed to feed your technology addiction are ubiquitous. They’re inescapable.” – Damon Zahariades
Related: Top 10 Books On Porn Addiction
46. “Smartphones have become so pervasive in our society that most of us now carry one. The problem is, their use stimulates the reward center of the brain in a way that encourages dependency. This dependency sets the stage for the onset of a full-blown addiction.” – Damon Zahariades
47. “Social media is arguably one of the most insidious “drugs” of choice among technology addicts. In the same way illicit narcotics like heroine are designed to be addictive, so too are social media websites like Facebook. The engineers who designed the sites have done everything in their power to make sure you’re compelled to visit them over and over.” – Damon Zahariades
48. “Sometimes, one addiction can feed into another addiction. For example, if one person tended to be a shopaholic in the past, it is possible that they can switch to internet shopping and then move on to social media addiction as another expression of their previous dependencies.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
Related: Best 7 Self Sabotage Books
49. “Sometimes, one’s dependence and eventual addiction to technology can be triggered by depression. The strange thing is that our experience with our use of technology also feeds our depression, and so a cycle is made. Some people get satisfaction from their internet use and somehow forget their problems for a while. Sometimes their experience in social media can feed their depression, but they still seek out social media anyway since it is also a form of release for them.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
50. “Staring at your phone can also cause vision problems. People frequently report blurred vision, eye strain, dizziness, dry eyes, and headaches after staring at their phones for long periods. If you suspect your eyes are going bad, you may be right. It’s worth considering whether your tech addiction is at least partly to blame.” – Damon Zahariades
Related: The Process Of Turning Inward In 6 Simple Steps (Turn FOMO Into JOMO)
51. “Studies show that males are more prone to internet addiction and video game addiction while females are more susceptible to phone addiction. Reasons vary and involve issues related to self-esteem, moodiness, inclination to network, and tendency toward social isolation. While there isn’t much you can do about your gender, you can take steps to curtail the traits that make you susceptible to certain types of addiction.” – Damon Zahariades
52. “Technology addiction can be classed as a type of behavioral addiction. It might sound like a brutal description, but mental health professionals place it in the same category as other addictive behaviors such as sex and gambling.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
53. “Technology addiction can trigger feelings of depression in a couple of ways. First, as we noted above, the tech junkie begins to feel isolated as he spends more and more time online. He spends less time nurturing meaningful relationships, which leaves him with few interpersonal connections. This circumstance sets the stage for a growing sense of unhappiness. If he remains in this predicament for weeks on end, he may eventually experience feelings of gloom, helplessness, and hopelessness.” – Damon Zahariades
Related: Addiction Recovery Resources
54. “Technology addiction will impair your sleep. Ask yourself, have you ever stayed up late to watch YouTube videos in bed? Have you ever texted friends or spent time on Facebook long after you knew you should have turned out the lights? Have you ever stayed up past your normal bedtime playing video games? Of course, answering “yes” to any of the above doesn’t automatically mean you’re a tech addict. We’ve all done it. And not all of us are true addicts. But if you regularly sacrifice sleep to surf the internet, play video games, or hang out on social media, you may indeed be a “techaholic.”” – Damon Zahariades
55. “Technology addicts are fine as long as they can surf the internet, play their favorite video games, and watch YouTube videos uninterrupted. But take away their phones and gaming consoles and you’ll see a dramatic change in their demeanor. Many become irritable. Some become physically aggressive.” – Damon Zahariades
56. “Technology puts a myriad of distractions at our fingertips. It’s no wonder so many tech addicts have a tendency to procrastinate. Our gadgets provide us with countless opportunities to be blissfully unproductive.” – Damon Zahariades
57. “The critical stage of the Digital Diet is the beginning, because it homes in on why you’re here, assesses your current situation, and forces you to ask what you’re afraid of giving up if you trim your tech (and even eliminate it for a short while).” – Daniel Sieberg
Related: Am I Self-Destructive Quiz
58. “The release of dopamine in our brains is the one constant behind all addictions. Studies have shown that playing video games triggers its release. Spending time on Facebook, reading text messages, and searching Google does, too. You experience the same effect when you inhale nicotine, drink caffeine, and take hits of cocaine (or so studies show).” – Damon Zahariades
59. “We each have different digital metabolisms. Disconnecting right away is like a starvation diet: lose the weight too fast and you gain it back. Therefore, when it comes to technology I loathe terms like “fasting” and “starving” and “off-lining.” This diet is about achieving a balance. It’s about maintaining a healthy consumption of technology. Yes, we’ll discuss a “detox” period, but it’s brief and meant to instill awareness.” – Daniel Sieberg
Related: Top 10 Gratitude Exercises To Practice Even When Depressed
60. “Why is digital technology overpowering? It is very addictive. Just like any other kind of addiction, digital addiction also appeals greatly to the pleasure center of the human brain. Since it is a type of behavioral addiction, it produces a short-term reward, and it entices us to repeat the same behavior.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
61. “You can beat technology addiction by disconnecting and going out to experience the real world. Make a bucket list of places you want to see. Save money for weekend vacations to those places. Going out to see the world doesn’t mean your choices are only the exotic parts of the planet. Sometimes that means just getting out of the house. If you have the habit of staying stuck indoors, then spending time outdoors can already become a big improvement.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
62. “You now have a thousand people following you—a real milestone. It’s a big victory, right? These so-called victories feed your vanity. Feeding our ego is fine; we all need that from time to time. But when it becomes persistent and gets out of control, that is when it leads to social media addiction or technology addiction.” – James W. Williams & Amy White
63. “You’ve probably seen people sitting together at restaurants looking at their phones instead of interacting with each other. Maybe you’re one of them. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Smartphone addiction is surprisingly common. Worse, it’s easy to develop.” – Damon Zahariades
64. “If you’re addicted to your phone, you probably don’t consider the constant distractions to be a problem. At least, not yet. That perspective will change once you go through a digital detox.” – Damon Zahariades
65. “In short, an inability to focus stemming from an addiction to technology can have long-ranging negative impacts on your life. There are numerous strategies for improving your focus. One is to unplug. If you’re struggling with an internet addiction, a phone addiction, or any other tech-related obsession, you need a digital detox.” – Damon Zahariades
Related: Am I Lonely Quiz (+ Top 5 Tips To Overcome Loneliness)
FAQ
Can phone addiction have negative effects on my mental health?
Yes, phone addiction can have negative effects on mental health.
It can contribute to symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and decreased overall well-being.
Excessive phone use may also lead to decreased face-to-face social interactions and feelings of isolation.
Can phone addiction affect my relationships?
Excessive phone use can indeed impact relationships.
It may lead to reduced quality time with loved ones, increased conflict, and a lack of emotional connection.
Being present and engaged in face-to-face interactions is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships.
Is it possible to completely overcome phone addiction?
Yes, it is possible to overcome phone addiction with the right strategies and support.
However, it requires commitment, self-awareness, and a willingness to change habits.
Professional help from a mental health professional specializing in addiction can also be beneficial.
Related: Best 6 Mindfulness Exercises For Beginners (+FREE Resources)
What strategies can help me reduce phone addiction?
If you suspect you may be struggling with phone addiction, there are several strategies you can consider to help manage and reduce your phone usage:
1. Set boundaries: Establish specific periods of time when you will not use your phone, such as during meals, before bed, or during important tasks.
2. Create tech-free zones: Allocate certain areas or times where the use of devices is restricted, such as in the bedroom or during family activities.
3. Use apps for monitoring and control: Utilize apps that allow you to track your screen time, set limits, or block certain apps during designated times.
4. Seek social support: Talk to friends, family members, or join support groups to share experiences, gain insights, and receive encouragement in managing phone addiction.
5. Engage in alternative activities: Find enjoyable and fulfilling hobbies or activities that don’t involve phone use, such as exercise, reading, or spending time outdoors.
6. Practice mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine to help increase awareness of your phone usage and develop healthier habits.
Related: Best 8 Mindfulness Exercises For Adults That Will Help You Regulate Your Emotions