A study on NOMOPHOBIA among youth in Indian perspective

Abstract

Nomophobia is categorized as a special phobia of being out of mobile phone contact. Nomophobia is a modern age phobia introduced to our lives as a repercussion of the interaction between people and mobile phone information and communication technologies. Nomophobia refers to a form of behavioral addiction towards smartphone associated to the anxiety caused by detachment from the mobile network or inability to have access to a smartphone. Mobile communication offers a lot of advantages but on the contrary it has negative aspects too. Mobile phones have now become smartphones which has all the smart features to abide by the 21st century so called techno culture and social lives thus becoming an integral part of this generation, especially among the youngsters. The study was conducted to find out the prevalence of nomophobia among youth in India aged above 18 years to 40 years. A total of 100 youngsters were selected by purposive sampling having a prerequisite of owing a smartphone for more than a year. The data was collected using a personal information form which includes the demographic variables, a survey form for smartphone usage purpose and pattern, and the nomophobia questionnaire scoring was calculated as per (NMP-Q) scale. The sample consisted of 50 male and 50 female smartphone users. The study further investigates the demographic variables ‘age’, ‘gender’, ‘occupation’ has a significant effect on smartphone addiction and nomophobia levels. Findings further reveal that college going students are more prone to nomophobia as compared to working professionals and there exists that 100% of the population who owns a smartphone is nomophobic to some extent of degree. Also findings suggests that nomophobia is related to FOMO because mostly youngsters are nowadays connected to others through the social lives and identity they have built and seek external validation and recognition from others. However, it is seen that when age increases nomophobia decreases, moreover in terms of smart phone usage frequency it is different: as usage frequency of smart phones increases, nomophobia increases as well. There is more need for studies related to psycho social wellbeing of individuals for smartphone related addictions and applying protective and therapeutic interventions.