Many people spend too much time on their phones, which could be a sign of addiction rather than just a habit. Millennials, in particular, check their phones over 150 times a day. Studies show that up to 40% of people may have some form of internet addiction, whether it's to gaming, pornography, or email. Adam Alter, an NYU marketing professor, discusses this in his book "Irresistible." He compares checking emails and apps to playing slot machines, where unpredictable rewards keep users hooked. Social media and dating apps are designed to be endlessly engaging, making it hard to stop using them. This can lead to spending nearly an hour daily on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Alter suggests setting limits, like not checking emails after 6 p.m., and finding more face-to-face interactions.
Vocabulary:
• Addiction (noun) - A strong, uncontrollable need to regularly have or do something.
• Habit (noun) - A regular practice or routine that is hard to give up.
• Gratification (noun) - Pleasure or satisfaction obtained from something.
• Unpredictable (adjective) - Not able to be predicted; changeable.
• Approval (noun) - The belief that something is good or acceptable.
• Automatically (adverb) - Done in a way that is involuntary or without conscious thought.
• Interacting (verb) - Communicating or engaging with others.
Source: Why You Could be Addicted To The Internet | Better | NBC News