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• 1 media/girl-taking-selfie.jpg 2020-04-12T12:45:11-07:00 Phones as a companion or extension of self 10 image_header 2020-04-29T08:40:28-07:00 Many Americans experience separation anxiety when their phone is out of reach. Thirty percent experience regular anxiety and sixty percent feel stress when their phone is off. Americans check their phone on an average once every ten minutes, because smart phones have replaced some basic human functions such as remembering phone numbers and navigating directions. Phone addiction can cause sleep disturbances, mood swings, and loss of focus while driving or even walking. Information overload, can interfere with establishing long term memories by impairing cognitive function and reducing the need for person to person socialization. 
  
  Many people see social media as a way to boost their self esteem because every like, share and comment has proven to increase dopamine and a positive self image. Selfies are one way that young people express an edited version of their best life, by including filters, edit functions and multiple takes. The quest for the perfect selfie can have negative impacts on the poster and the viewer, by creating an unrealistic version of life. However, the popularity of posting to social media is continuing to increasing, especially among young users. 
  
  Smart phones are a powerful tool for communication, research, and entertainment, but consumers must be aware of the negative consequences of cell-phone addiction.