Nomophobia ...

Ever heard of this disorder?
Nor do I.
Until I read the newspaper this morning. The article headlines: "Help I can't live without my smartphone for a moment."

It's about a study which showed that three quarters of the Dutch check every three to six minutes the screen of his or her smartphone.

A male respondent says looking more at the screen of his mobile than at the world around him. A female interviewee indicates to take her phone during meetings to the toilet especially not to miss anything. If she doesn't, then she's restless.

Nomophobia, the title of this blip, is an abbreviation of 'no mobile phone phobia'. It's the fear to have no contact via the smartphone. Because it's lost (for a moment), a discharged battery or - quite dramatically - is broken. A smartphone as important as a house key. Panic if you lose it. It gives only a sigh of relief when it's found again!

An hour later I walk down the street. Waiting for a traffic light are a girl on a scooter and a boy on a bicycle. The world around them doesn't seem to exist (anymore). Even though the light turns green, they don't move. They're totally engrossed in the screen of their smartphone.
For them's only that the light turns green after they're convinced that they have missed anything.
Only then they can breathe relieved and freely ... and be surprised that the lights are still on red ... ;)

(The newspaper said is ALGEMEEN DAGBLAD july 5th, newspage 7)