Almost everyone owns a smartphone or an electronic gadget. In this day and age, staying connected has become an essential part of everyone’s lives— almost the same as breathing. Five minutes without checking your phone for any status update on social media can seem like forever. Many people feel “empty” without their smartphones by their side.

So, when is excessive use considered an addiction? While staying connected or having constant access gives you a sense of comfort, addiction can also have its downfalls. When are you really considered an addict?  Check these telltale signs to see if you really are a gadget addict.

That Constant Need for a Charger

You leave your house with a fully charged cellphone, but you seem to have the need of bringing a charger around just for security. Well, if your constant use of your cell phone drains your phone at the middle of the day that you need to charge it, you might have a phone addiction.

That Urge to Respond to Texts or E-mails, Immediately

The moment you hear your phone ring, resisting the urge to answer that text immediately can be quite difficult. If you think of answering that text or e-mail in the middle of doing an important task, that habit can be bad. Remind yourself to finish your task before responding to the e-mail or text. 

The Phantom Phone Syndrome and the Constant Need to Check It

You’ve just put down your phone and you seem to be uncomfortable with the fact that it’s not there. Or you’ve seemed to felt it vibrate or ring even if it really wasn’t?  

That restlessness and anxiety take over when you seem to be away from your phone.

You seem to be Physically Present but Mentally Absent

What? Yes, you’re only half-listening to conversations going around you and your phone seems to be glued to the screen. Someone calls you and tries to start a conversation with you only to be answered with a “what” because you simply aren’t paying attention. 

If you are physically there with your family but not engaging in conversations with them, you are simply being taken over by technology. It might be high time to put that phone down for a while.

You Bring Your Phone Everywhere You Go

From waking up to going to the bathroom to drying your clothes, you seem to be bringing your phone all the time. 

You Spend Money on Gadgets that seem to do all the Same Things

That constant need to be “updated” with the latest mobile gadgets needs to be stopped. You don’t need to have the latest cellular phone to be part of the IN crowd. 

While staying connected and having the latest gadgets can give you a different sense of comfort, the addiction should not be. Improvements in technology should not control us, rather we should learn to control it.

Don’t make it responsible for having bad connections with people or having bad people habits. Instead be aware not of how technology has changed, but also how it has changed you.