Hold On to Book

Samina Tariq

Calgary

The image reminded me of an extremely sad incident of a teenager’s terrible death couple of years ago. He was driving a new car very happily with beyond speed limits making a selfie. He got hit with an electric pole. The accident damaged his head so severely that his eyeballs was found at the back seat. I was horrified listening that incident. The main reason of that preventable mishap was excessive use of cell phone and social media craze. Making selfies, recording every moment, then posting and up -dating craze… “According to recent data, the average person spends 4 hours and 37 minutes on their phone every day. That’s the equivalent of over 1 day per week or 6 days per month. During the year its about 70 days spent checking the phone.[1]

“Individuals check their phones an average of 58 times each day”. [2]

“Research from GWI reveals that the “typical” social media user now spends 2 hours and 23 minutes per day using social platforms. On average, that means that social media accounts for 35.8 percent of our daily online activities, meaning that more than 1 in 3 internet minutes can be attributed to social media platforms. [7]

No doubt cell phones are now a necessity in our everyday life, from connecting others, to GPS to recipes we need it. The problem is when it becomes obsession. “Many experts say the social media addiction e.g. instant messaging, are associated with dire consequences like anxiety, depression, irritability, isolation, distancing oneself from the real world and from family relationships, loss of sleep, fear of missing out, cyberbullying etc. Excessive social media use can result in low self -esteem, low performance in academics and careers, increased isolation, loss of friendship. “Some have been so negatively affected by social media addiction that they turn to self -harm, even taking their own lives”.[3]

“Some adolescents are so focused on measuring up to what is portrayed on social media that they participate in events only to obtain material to post. They may be unable to enjoy the activity as they obsessively take photos and create posts throughout the activities”. [3] I experienced this during performing Umrah. Instead of focused on Rituals and Supplications of Umrah, lots of people were busy in taking the photos and recording the videos.

Excessive smartphone use is also linked with health issues like “sleep problems, reduced physical fitness, unhealthy eating habits, pain and migraines, reduced cognitive control and changes in the brain’s gray matter volume”.[4]

Few Suggestions: To avoid becoming addicted to your smartphone set realistic boundaries. Few suggestions might be.

Follow 1 Hour/Day Reduction Rule: “Studies have shown that even a small reduction in smartphone use can make a significant impact on mental health and phone addiction. In a study conducted in Germany from April 2019 to November 2020, results showed that a reduction in smartphone use by one hour per day for one week resulted in reduced depression and anxiety and improved physical activity. [5]

Mindfulness: Keeping track of how much time is spend on phone, track data usage and set limits for yourself.

Reduce Dependency on it: Don’t depend on cell phone for every activity like exercising, playing music, cooking etc.

2 Hour/ Day: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting device use to two hours per day at a maximum for optimal sleep. [8]

Make Good Friendship with Books: Consume your time on reading good books. Never heard of any adverse effect of reading too much good books and coming down as a result.

Better Retention of Information: “Readers of print books absorb and remember more of the plot than readers of e-books do, according to a study that was presented in Italy in 2014. In an earlier study, print readers also scored higher in other areas, such as empathy, immersion in the book, and understanding of the narrative. Scientists believe this effect is related to the tactile sensation of holding a book in your hands”.[6]

Books at Home: “Students who have books at home are more likely to score higher on tests, according to a study of readers from 42 countries”.[6]

Enjoy your Book Reading: One recent study of college students in the U.S., Slovakia, Japan, and Germany showed that 92% of participants preferred actual books that they can hold and touch and leaf through whenever they please.[6]

Source of Inspiration. Studies have also shown that books can make us happier, inspire us to travel, and encourage us to make life-changing decisions. [6]

So, enjoy your good book-read and be inspired, be happy and be saved from obsessive compulsive disorder of media-phone attack.

References:

1.Time Spent Using Smartphones (2024 Statistics) (explodingtopics.com)