Psychologist shares top tips to combat the fear – of being without your phone

A psychology expert has shared some top tips ahead of Halloween for the 42% of Brits who experience “nomophobia” – the fear of being without their phone.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that 45% would consider it a nightmare to go for just one day without their mobile phone – with smashing their phone screen ranking among Brits' top three modern-day fears.

It emerged that the average adult uses their mobile phone for 14 hours a week – with three in ten even carrying around a charging cable, in case their device runs out of battery.

And 27% often fear running out of mobile data – while having no signal or service, and being stuck somewhere with slow Wi-Fi, also ranked among the top 20 fears in today's world.

Over half of the top 20 modern terrors were tech-related, with two in ten believing such fears were scarier than traditional horrors, like roller coasters (24%), heights (38%), and spiders (31%).

In fact, almost a quarter (23%) would rather hold a tarantula, and 14% would go swimming with sharks, before giving up their mobile device for a week, according to the research, commissioned by Sky Mobile.

And one in five are now more scared of being “ghosted” on a dating app, than the thought of real ghosts this Halloween.

It also emerged that many consider it critical to relying on their mobile phone for things like staying in touch with friends and family, online banking, directions, and reading the news.

And three in ten (29%) believe their biggest fears have changed in the last five years, according to the figures.

Paul Sweeney, for Sky Mobile, which offers 99% network coverage and Piggybank data rollover each month, said: “We use our phones for everything, from keeping on top of life admin, to staying connected to our loved ones – so it’s no wonder that being left without data and losing phone signal can seem scary to Brits.”

Sky Mobile is working with expert psychologist, Linda Papadopoulos, to offer advice for self-confessed nomophobes this Halloween.

Linda said: “It’s no surprise to me that over half of the fears in the research are tech-related. These fears are a product of how much we rely on our tech, and how, for many of us, it’s key to not only our work, but our social lives and identities.

“The reason that we're less afraid of being bitten by sharks than losing our phones speaks to how entwined our phones have become with our day-to-day lives. We feel that so much of our lives are bound up with our technology, and we can’t see a way forward without it.

“From connecting with friends to engaging with colleagues, from dealing with boredom to planning and creating, our phones are no longer just phones, but, in a sense, digital prostheses – so it can seem terrifying to think of not having this tech at our fingertips.”

LINDA PAPADOPOULOS’ TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO COMBAT NOMOPHOBIA:

1. Get your tech right – Ensure you’re researching the right handset and network provider for you, that will prove it is dependable, reliable, and will work when you need it.
2. Always keep your phone in the same place around the house or at the office – We're creatures of habit for a reason, because it alleviates stress to be on autopilot.
3. Preparation is key – Remember to back up important data and information so it can be retrieved from other devices, and to keep your own data and information safe, so you aren’t at risk if you do lose your phone.
4. Try not to catastrophise – Make sure you moderate your dependency by remembering important phone numbers, connecting with people and your surroundings in the real world, and making a conscious effort to be without your phone at times throughout the day.

TOP 20 MODERN DAY FEARS:

1. Being stuck in a lift
2. Missing a flight
3. Dropping your phone and smashing the screen
4. Work being deleted from your computer before you could hit “Save”
5. Sending a text to the wrong person
6. Having no phone signal/service
7. Being without your smartphone
8. Making a bad typo in an important email
9. Being next to someone with a cold on the tube
10. Accidentally messaging the wrong group chat
11. Sitting in the middle seat on a plane for a long flight
12. Running out of mobile phone data
13. Social media stalking someone and liking an old post
14. Being stuck somewhere with slow Wi-Fi
15. Being tagged in unflattering photos on Instagram
16. Bumping into your ex on a night out
17. Sending the wrong emoji on a text
18. Missing out on concert tickets
19. Turning up to a party too early
20. Getting “ghosted” on a dating app

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