Smartphone: Are we heading toward a new social phobia

Abstract

This research was conducted to investigate the nomophobia levels of individuals working in telecom sector of Pakistan. A total of 377 telecom sector employees in Islamabad, Pakistan completed demographics and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ). All employees reported moderated to high levels of nomophobia with the largest proportion reporting high levels. There was no significant difference between age and gender on nomophobia levels. Due to insignificant difference, further sub-dimensions of nomophobia were examined. Men reported to be different on factor I “not being able to communicate” and female on factor II “Losing Connectedness”. The result of this study presents that due to excessive use of internet-enabled devices in telecom sector, nomophobia is on higher levels. The telecom sector needs to monitor nomophobia as it is of great importance and have its implications at individual, societal and university level.