Have mobile phones turned us into a “Generation of idiots”?

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“I fear that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots” — Albert Einstein

Mobile phones take over our lives, imprison us. That’s why they are called cell phones. The infernal things deprive us of sleep. Ban them from the bedroom. When you are ready for sleep the last thing your brain needs is more stimulation. “Even just a quick check can engage your brain and delay sleep,” Dr Michelle Drerup of Cleveland Clinic says. Your mind can stay active and engaged long after you’ve stopped scrolling. The blue light from your mobile is an artificial colour that mimics daylight. Studies have shown this blue light is bad for your sleep and vision. Exposure to this blue light affects your internal body clock and circadian rhythm. Blue light also suppresses melatonin, the hormone responsible for your sleep-wake cycle. When your body runs low on it, you can experience insomnia, tiredness during the day and irritability, even anxiety and depression.

Prolonged staring at a mobile with the lights off is dangerous, according to Health News. You are harming your eyes without realising it. Your vision may become blurred and deteriorate. You’re risking myopia, even blindness. Don’t stare at a smartphone for too long, take breaks every 20 to 30 mins. Drink lots of water to keep your eyes moist.

When you are sleeping do not have your mobile close to your head. It emits electromagnetic radiation. Recent studies show there is no or little risk of cancer, but the radiation emitted by a mobile is absorbed by your body tissues. Limit your use of mobiles, prefer landlines when you can. Avoid using your mobile when it is being charged. Keep your calls short. Earphones or Bluetooth increase the distance from your phone to your head.

Some people become addicted to their mobile phones. They can’t cross the street through on-coming traffic without dumbly focusing on their mobiles. Some signs of phone addiction:

• Neglect of work or trouble completing tasks.
• Checking people’s profiles repeatedly due to anxiety
• Accidents or injury due to phone use.
• Weak or non-existent social life.
• Anger if phone use is interrupted.

There is hope for the addicted: Group therapy, counselling with a psychotherapist. Make a conscious decision to go into phone detox. There is hope.

Go out to smell the flowers and admire the birds, sans mobile.