Smartphone addiction and Internet Addiction

arfuss

So i am 21 years old, i have grown up With my mother and she has always let me do anything, get anything i wanted.. When iwas 14 i got my first Smartphone.. nad have had Smartphones since then.


I got thrown out of School 3 years ago and that pulled me far Down.. I have no job, few friends and no girlfriend.

I spend hours on my Smartphone and the internet.. Laying in bed thinking i have come to the conclusion perhaps the best for me is to sell my Smartphone and purchase a phone without internet. And also sell my computer and tv.

Is this a good idea? Or is this going to be a problem for me later on?


Feels like theres a voice in my head saying i should sell it, and another voice saying i shouldent.. I mean.. When i am waiting for my buss. everyone is on theire phone, this cant be healthy.


When im on the buss home from the gym i am thikning i should make a healthy dinner straight away.. But instead when i come home i end up looking for Girls on dating sites on my phone, and play video games for hours.. I know i shouldent do this but i dont got Control over it..

Its so easy yo Waste time on a Device instead of being productive.. I know its sad that im saying this.. But i lack self dicipline when it comes to the internet

neandermagnon

Making too big and drastic changes can be unsustainable in the long term... have you tried rationing your internet and phone use? Maybe a pay as you go contract will help.

Also, generally speaking, people spend all day doing stuff like this because they haven't got anything better to do... so you need to find better things to do, to have a more fulfilling life, rather than just mooching around on the internet constantly.

If you didn't complete high school, maybe you can go to whatever adult education classes and even take high school exams (e.g. GCSE if you're in the UK - there are various adult education centres that do this. I'm pretty sure there are USA equivalents or similar wherever you're from).

Get any job to begin with, just to get you out of the house and earning your own money. It doesn't matter if it's nothing better than cleaning toilets or anything... it's going to get you out of the house and get some money in your pocket, and it's still valuable work experience for a better job. You'll be in a better position to apply for a job that you like. If getting some qualifications at adult education becomes part of your life plan, then a job like this will help you to pay your way.

You may not have much motivation to do this if your parents are letting you live rent free and buying you stuff, but trust me if you want to get out there and enjoy life and have a sense of achievement about anything, you need to cut the apron strings and go and be your own person. It'll be a lot easier for you to do this while living rent free at your parents house, than it is for many young people who are out on their own with no qualifications and no-one to help them. Really, make the most of what you've got and get out there and do something with your life. Getting kicked out of school won't hold you back if you get out there and prove to the world that you've grown up now.

And this way you get to keep your smartphone, and use it in moderation because you have a lot of better things to do.

arfuss

I forgot to add. I live by myself. I got my
Own appartment payed with goverment money. I Live in norway.

So if i sell my Tv, smartphone and computer. There will be no way to get on the internet aine i live by myself.

I know when im out of power on my phone i grt withdrawal symptoms.

If i sell my iphone and purchase a phone without internet accsess.

Wont my brain find new ways to cope wirh boredom?

I dont have enough self dicipline to portion out my internet time. I end up doing it anyways.

brianpperkins

Remember to thank your mom for letting you do whatever you wanted as a kid ... the lack of discipline instilled by her now translates into your lack of self discipline.

snowflake930

I agree with neandermagnon, just get any job you can to get out of the house and away from your phone, tv and internet access. If that is not doable, volunteer somewhere, or go to school and further your education. You are very young and have your whole life ahead of you. You can do, and or be, anything you want if you apply yourself. You are worth it and you can do it!
Best of luck to you!

kk_140

Well it is hard to find a job without the internet now days. But you could go to a local library to apply to places where an internet connection would be required.

I have never had a smartphone (or texting for that matter) and stopped having cable when I went to college. I think it has been a good decision.

neandermagnon

Apologies, from your post it seemed you were still living with your mum.


If you're bored, you'll be constantly wanting to go online, you'll fret about it and feel sorry for yourself and keep on wishing you had your phone back until you quit and go get your phone back. I think you're putting the cart before the horse as far as this is concerned. It's a lot easier to find something new to do, than to give up something you like to do. The best way to break old habits is to make new ones. Get out there and do something productive - anything. I'm sure Norway has lots of adult education opportunities. It doesn't even have to be academic (although academic courses are a good option), could be something to pursue an interest you have, or one you had in the past that you haven't done recently... get interested in something other than the internet... then you'll find that you've spent hours away from the internet and not even thought about it. And then it's still there when you're done with whatever else you're doing, and it's in moderation because your days are full of many other things. Even if you spend all evening on the internet, but only the evening, because you spent your day doing other productive things, then that doesn't matter. Everyone has their thing that they do just for fun and to relax.

Also, you're likely to meet people and make friends while you're out and about doing stuff... you'll end up with a social life, and might even find yourself a girlfriend.

When you've got so much more in your life, you won't be spending all day on the internet.

Most people don't have that good self discipline. I can easily spend the entire day on the internet. I don't (most days) because I have better things to do with my time and responsibilities that I need to fulfil.

nomeejerome

Getting rid of all of your electronics are not going to eliminate your issues.

Unknown

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laurie04427

I think it's good to break a routine that isn't working for you.

Before I decided to get fit, I was spending all night when I got home from work gaming. I used to raid until 1am several nights a week when I had to get up early for work the next morning. I was drinking to excess all during the week. Went to work tired every day. I'd call in sick because I was too tired and worn out to work.

Eventually I was tired of being tired and quit the video game. Quit drinking. Had no clue what to do with myself for a good month so I started reading about fitness and nutrition to eat up the time. Started filling the time with exercise.

I play the game now casually for like an hour every other day or so, I drink every couple weeks if that.

If you take a break from the internet for a month maybe it will kick start things into a better direction and help you get more control over things.

fatbegone85

I forgot to add. I live by myself. I got my
Own appartment payed with goverment money. I Live in norway.

Off-topic: I live in the wrong country! I'd love to be rent free. Sigh

On-topic: Have you thought of visiting a therapist?