British women spend more time with their phones than with their partners, new research shows
Women spend an average of 12 hours more a week on their mobiles than with a loved one, a new study shows
WOMEN spend more time on their smartphones than they do with their partners, research revealed.
Constantly checking emails, sending texts and keeping tabs on social media means they spend an average of 12 hours more a week on their mobiles than with a loved one.
But this digital dependence can lead to stress, anger and panic if people cannot access their phones when they want, the survey found.
One in six Brits confesses to being totally dependent on their smartphones.
Even on honeymoon, more than a quarter of adults will be using mobiles to check personal emails, half will monitor social media and almost one in ten will even check their work emails.
A fifth of those quizzed admitted they would find it harder to be without a phone for a week than their partner, the survey by Bausch + Lomb Ultra contact lenses found.
Psychologist Chireal Shallow said: "All of this interaction and addiction with our digital devices creates problems for our eyes.
"More than half say their eyes feel tired at the end of the day."
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Last month, a study revealed university students hooked on browsing and social media are more likely to suffer mental health problems.
The findings prove increasing numbers of people are struggling to cope if they are not online regularly.
Experts gave 254 students a 1998 test for excessive internet use and classed 33 as addicts. This leapt to 107 (or 42 per cent) using a second test greater reflecting modern obsession with the net and smartphone technology.
Experts gave 254 students a 1998 test for excessive internet use and classed 33 as addicts. This leapt to 107 (or 42 per cent) using a second test greater reflecting modern obsession with the net and smartphone technology.
Prof Michael Van Ameringen said: “Those classed as addicts on both tests had significantly more trouble dealing with daily activities and social settings.”
Researchers want to extend the study to other age groups. They also aim to discover if mental health problems lead to internet addiction, or the other way round.
The team found 55.8 per cent of students struggled to control their use of video streaming sites and 48 per cent their social media time.
Nearly 29 per cent were hooked on instant messaging tools.
Dutch researcher Prof Jan Buitelaar added: “Excessive use of the internet is an understudied phenomenon that may disguise mild or severe psychopathology.
“Further study is needed.”
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