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\n\tThe moment there is silence, many of us instinctively reach for our phones. We scroll while waiting for lifts, during ad breaks, in queues, and sometimes even in the middle of conversations. This growing dependence on smartphones raises an uncomfortable question: Are people genuinely addicted to their phones, or are they simply unable to sit with boredom anymore?<\/p>\n
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\n\tFor this Fact Check Friday, we asked experts whether excessive phone use is a true addiction or simply a behavioural response shaped by boredom, stress, loneliness, and endless digital stimulation.<\/p>\n
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\n\tWhile excessive phone use may not always qualify as a clinical addiction, experts say constant scrolling and short-form content are changing how people respond to boredom, stress, and even everyday silence.<\/p>\n
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\n
\n\tWhen does phone use become unhealthy?
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\n\tExperts say excessive phone use may not always qualify as a clinical addiction, but smartphones can gradually become emotional crutches linked to boredom, stress, loneliness, and instant gratification.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\u201cMuch of the time, what is perceived as an addiction is simply habit reinforcement through boredom, depression, loneliness or an emotional crutch,\u201d said Dr Shivi Kataria, consultant – psychiatry, Ck Birla Hospitals, Jaipur.<\/p>\n
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\n\tShe explained that smartphones provide constant excitement and instant gratification, which trains the brain to repeatedly seek small dopamine rewards through notifications, videos, or social interactions. Dopamine is a brain chemical linked to pleasure, motivation, and reward, and repeated exposure to quick digital stimulation can make people crave frequent bursts of entertainment and validation.<\/p>\n
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\n\tWhy do people check phones even without notifications?
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tMany people unlock their phones repeatedly even when there are no notifications or urgent messages waiting. Experts say this behaviour has become almost reflexive because smartphones offer quick stimulation, distraction, and emotional comfort during idle moments.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t“Every small pause, standing in a lift, waiting at a signal, sitting alone for a minute – all of them feel like an opportunity to pick up the phone,” shared Namrata Jain, Psychotherapist, Relationships Expert\u00a0 and Founder – OutAloud Wellness.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cPhones are psychological comforts,\u201d Dr Kataria said. \u201cWhen the mind is left to wander, it naturally seeks stimulation, distraction or relief from silence and uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\n\tA recent study titled Swiping away dullness: disliking boredom predicts more smartphone use, published in the journal Motivation and Emotion, found that people who strongly dislike boredom are more likely to engage in problematic smartphone use. Researchers suggested that smartphones have become an easy escape from uncomfortable emotions and idle moments because they offer instant stimulation and distraction.<\/p>\n
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\n
\n\tIs endless scrolling shrinking our attention spans?<\/p>\n
\n\tExperts believe the rise of short-form content may be rewiring the brain\u2019s relationship with boredom and focus.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThere\u2019s evidence to suggest that our tolerance for stillness and focus is decreasing all the time because of rapid saturation of information from short forms,\u201d Dr Kataria said.<\/p>\n
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\n\tDr Supriya Yadav B N, consultant – internal medicine, Manipal Hospital Yelahanka, added that continuously switching between apps and notifications may impair deep concentration.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cShort-format content that keeps moving quickly makes the brain accustomed to constant excitement and gratification. This, in turn, causes many people to have problems focusing while reading, studying, or even having conversations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tAccording to a study published last year in the journal Brain Sciences, overconsumption of what researchers described as \u201clow-quality digital content\u201d may lead to \u201cemotional desensitization, cognitive overload, and a negative self-concept\u201d. Researchers also found that behaviours such as doomscrolling were linked to higher levels of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression, raising concerns about the long-term impact of endless passive scrolling on mental wellbeing and attention spans.<\/p>\n
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\n
\n\tWhen phone use starts affecting daily life
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tExperts say the problem is not simply the number of hours spent on a phone but whether usage starts affecting sleep, concentration, emotional wellbeing, productivity, or relationships.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tSome warning signs include:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cIndicators would include compulsive checking, shorter attention span, and neglect of work or relationships,\u201d said Dr Kataria.<\/p>\n
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\n
\n\tCan people build a healthier relationship with phones?
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tExperts say the solution is not complete abstinence but mindful usage and healthier digital boundaries. “Healthy phone use means you can use it intentionally without it disturbing your focus, relationships, sleep or emotional state,” shared Jain.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cHappy usage starts with conscious limits, not abstinence,\u201d Dr Kataria said.<\/p>\n
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\n\tExperts recommend:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tWhile there is no universally accepted screen-time limit for adults, many experts recommend keeping recreational screen use to around two hours a day outside of work.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tDr Yadav added that mindful technology use should become a shared responsibility among individuals, parents, workplaces, and tech companies.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tAs smartphones become inseparable from modern life, experts believe the bigger challenge may not be technology itself but our growing inability to tolerate boredom. Instead of automatically reaching for screens during idle moments, experts suggest people should consciously engage in more meaningful activities such as reading, exercising, pursuing hobbies, spending time outdoors, or having face-to-face conversations to help rebuild focus and comfort with stillness.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tThis report is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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