It seems that there’s a new phobia sweeping the UK and it’s called nomophobia. Nomo, short for ‘no mobile’, is apparently reaching danger levels in the UK and half of you tend to panic when you can’t use your mobile phone. Is this still April Fools Day?
In a YouGov survey of over 2,000 people last month, on behalf of the Post Office, more than 13 million UK phone users fear being out of mobile phone contact. Some even more than visiting the dentist, which just can’t be right. Haven’t you seen Marathon Man?
Stewart Fox-Mills, telecoms expert with Post Office, said:
"Nomophobia is all too real for many people. We're all familiar with the stressful situations of everyday life such as moving house, break-ups and organising a family Christmas. But it seems that being out of mobile contact may be the 21st century's latest contribution to our already hectic lives.
Whether you have run out of credit or battery, lose your phone or are in an area with no reception, being phoneless can bring on a panicky symptom in our 24/7 culture.”
On top of this, here’s a run-down of just what people will interrupt in order to take a call.
When in bed alone: 58%
When in bed with someone else: 18%
When eating a meal: 40%
When watching TV: 80%
When shopping: 79%
When spending time with family/children: 48%
When doing the housework/gardening: 78%
Are you a nomophobe?-Martin Lynch
phone mobile phone life
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
Comments
Yep i am one, been following this story for 3 days now. Whey did someone not think of it earlier? i lose my phone i am a good wreck already. Now some sanity returns when i remeber keeping a double of my phonebook on pc and another at Zyb . All is not lost and i do have a spare prepaid for dire situations, does that make me same or nomophobic?