We often talk about young people’s dependence on their smartphones, but adults are not exempt. More than 40% of Swiss people show signs of nomophobia, or addiction to their mobile phones, reveals a representative survey by Comparis. Symptoms include frantic glances to avoid missing any notifications, a feeling of stress when the device is not within reach or the battery is empty, or a feeling of isolation when absence of smartphone.
French-speaking people are more affected: the proportion of them who present obvious symptoms of addiction amounts to 47%, compared to 37% across Sarine. Geographic distribution also plays a role: only 19% of city dwellers say they can easily do without their smartphone, compared to 28% in the countryside.
For Jean-Claude Frick, Comparis Digital expert, these data confirm a cliché: “In urban areas, smartphone use is higher due to professional and social demands. In rural areas, the need to be constantly reachable and the desire to do everything with your smartphone are less pronounced.” And to add that the role of local associations, which are more present, is important in social life and competes somewhat with social networks.
Age also plays a role in sensitivity to smartphone stimulation: 54% of 16-35 year olds present clear symptoms, while among those over 55, 38% say they are impervious. Adults living in families or households with three or more members are also more affected.
“Parents and their children have in common the need to be reachable and to access information. In addition, teenagers rub off on their parents since certain objects go from paper to digital, such as the family calendar formerly hung on the wall,” adds the specialist.
The fault also lies with social networks, video streaming and gaming services, analyzes Jean-Claude Frick. “Being at the forefront of digitalization could have a negative impact,” he says. However, the level of education, income or gender have no significant influence.
Young people’s stress is little due to social networks
Contrary to popular belief, the biggest stress factor among young people is not the use of social networks, reveals a recent study by Pro Juventute. While 34% say they can sometimes feel this pressure, 51% say they rarely or never feel stressed by networks. On the contrary, at the top of the stress ranking are exams (48% of girls and 33% of boys), pressure linked to general performance, lack of money, the demands of school and the professional future. The use of online media is even cited as a resource by 59% of young people.
As for general concerns, young people first cite injustice in the world (36%), lack of tolerance (34%), the impossibility of discussing with people of different opinions, global crises, manipulation of the digital world or even climate change. Girls say they are generally more concerned about all these points than boys.
