VIDEO: Phone FOMO Is Fo' Real!

Do you experience feelings of dread or fear when you don't have your cell phone on you? Science now says that's normal.
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BY:
User Experience Researcher
Additional contributions by Louis Ramirez and Dan Leadbetter.

Do you suffer anxiety when you're not with your phone? Do you feel dumber when you don't have your phone on you? A recent study shows that you are not alone and that "fear of missing out" (FOMO) is a real concern! When a group of participants had their phones taken away and then were asked to perform simple cognitive tests (like solving a word search), they performed worse than they did with their phones nearby. Further, if their phone rang in the other room, their heart rates shot up.

In this brief — yet lively — video, our experts discuss how they cope with cell phone loss and if they feel dumber without their smart devices.


What about you, readers? Are you addicted to your phone? Do you suffer separation anxiety when you don't have your phone with you — even if it's just in another room? Tell us all about your dependencies in the comments below.

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User Experience Researcher

Jeff Somogyi is the DealNews User Experience Researcher. Since working here he's written deals, features, promotional and newsletter copy, blog posts, as well as scripts for our videos.
DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).
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4 comments
Lindsay Sakraida (DealNews)
@rampo ugggggh I did that once, kind of. Before embarking on a near 24 hour journey back home to the US, I completely wiped my iPod of all music. I might have started crying because there was no time to try and fix it.
January 14, 2015
rampo
I can go a couple hours without electronics but remember having a near breakdown when I was at the airport leaving for a 3-week trip to Asia and suddenly realizing that my iPod Touch was still at home on the charger. It was loaded with music, audiobooks, podcasts and ebooks to supplement the airline's entertainment options (20+ flight hours each way) plus I had planned on using it for Skype calls and emails. I did have a netbook, but it just didn't offer the same instant gratification. These days on my travels I take along a Touch, a smartphone and an iPad - triple protection!
January 14, 2015
Lindsay Sakraida (DealNews)
I don't worry for the safety of my phone when it's gone, I more so wonder if someone is trying to get in touch with me... in one of the myriad ways that it's possible these days. And I won't know until, like, an hour or two later. Terrible!
January 14, 2015
michael bonebright (DealNews)
I liken "missing phone" anxiety to the "out-of-sight baby" anxiety a new parent feels. You have this really precious thing and it's super fragile, and anyone could steal it or drop it in water. All you have to do is keep your eyes (or hands) on it at all times, and it'll be safe!

I don't know why, but my tablets never get this treatment. It's weird!
January 14, 2015