Phone might be what's holding you back

Spending too much time on a smartphone can make you depressed.

This is according to British professor Cary Cooper, of the department of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University, who says that staring at a screen all day long means that people "don't have to interact with the [real] world" and deal with the problems it presents.

Janine Shamos, a spokesman for the SA Depression and Anxiety Group, says smartphone-induced depression is a "growing problem" in South Africa.

"We are living vicariously in 5Mb of fame," she said, warning that having thousands of Facebook friends does not mean you can count on them when facing challenges in life.

Cooper said that constantly checking one's cellphone "can be both addictive and destructive in the way it occupies your mind without stimulating it".

And if a Youtube video of a US bride sending a text message during her wedding ceremony and then slipping the phone back into her boobtube dress is anything to go by, then Cooper is right.

"We never know when we'll get a satisfying e-mail, SMS or social-media message, so we keep checking, over and over again," he said.

Constantly checking for updates, alerts, e-mails and new messages on our phones can be compared to gambling because "we never know when we'll get a satisfying e-mail, SMS or social-media message", he said.

"It's like slot machines; we're seeking that pleasurable hit."

The main problem with people being glued to their phones is that they are likely to forget important things because of the information overload or "data smog" emanating from social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Shamos suggests that people cultivate a more balanced life by having "off time" and seeking "real connections" with real people.

"Switch off your phone, leave it at home and go out. We live in a beautiful country, start doing things," she said.

Shamos said the phone beeping, especially late at night, can lead to sleep deprivation.

Cooper suggests that users gradually increase their "off-time" each day instead of just throwing the phone away.

"The world will keep turning [while your phone is off]," he said.

If it is not safe or appropriate to reply to a message, do not feel obligated to do so, he said.

"Not being available 24-7 doesn't make you a bad person. Using your mobile when you're driving does."