A global study, which was published in the journal BMC Psychiatry showed the prevalence of problematic smartphone usage (PSU) in teenagers and young adults, with an average of 23 percent of the young population showing PSU.
Furthermore, it was reported that one in four young people have become so dependent on their mobile phones, that they experience anxiety and panic when they do not have access to their handsets. By analyzing the literature that has been published since 2011, when the smartphone boom first began, it has also been suggested that 10-30 percent of teenagers and adolescents used their mobile devices in dysfunctional ways.
This brings up a very real problem. Today, youngsters care more about their digital lives than their real ones, with their digital presence and influence, now dubbed “clout” taking precedence over everything else.
Furthermore, with the explosion of social media, and photo and video sharing platforms and apps such as Instagram, TikTok, and even SnapChat, Gen Z are slowly becoming social pariahs, and are content with their virtual lives.
This is also because brands are trying to leverage their influence on their followers and peers, through influencer marketing. That said, here are a couple of other reasons why the young population, particularly in India, is getting addicted to their smartphone.
- Budget-Friendly Options
No matter what your budget may be, today, you can find a feature-rich smartphone that will quench your thirst for technology, and your yearning to own a smartphone with a premium design. Brands like Xiaomi, Realme, OPPO, Vivo, and even Samsung now provide impressive devices in the budget and mid-range segments, that come with top-of-the-line features and excellent specs.
For instance, students that have to stick to a smaller budget can opt for either Vivo Y91, Redmi 9 Prime, or Realme Narzo 10, as they are widely regarded as three of the best mobiles under 12,000 INR. These phones come with more storage space, faster processors, and large displays, which makes chatting or accessing social media platforms a breeze.
- Better Cameras
There was a time when cameras in smartphones were considered to be add-ons, and not necessarily an integral part of the smartphone experience. Today, however, that is no longer the case. In fact, most of the consumers prioritize cameras over other features; smartphone brands are now putting greater effort to provide better cameras, with higher megapixel count and better camera software.
Furthermore, with an increased focus on AI technology, smartphone cameras are now better equipped to take stunning images. AI-powered smartphones are becoming popular, as AI technology seamlessly blurs the line between image capture, picture enhancement, and image manipulation. Furthermore, AI is also used to edit photos, to meld, and match the processing parameters to the subject, enabling you to easily find the images, instead of typing keywords or descriptions.
You do not have to splash serious cash in order to buy AI-powered smartphones either. Realme Narzo 10 and Redmi Note 9, considered to be two of the best phones under 15,000 INR, come with AI quad-rear camera setup, along with a 48MP primary shooter. One can easily get enamored and addicted to smartphones with such cameras, as the young generation spends a significant amount of time using apps like SnapChat, or posting stunning selfies to their Instagram accounts.
- Mobile Gaming
A trend that has picked up significantly over the past two years is mobile gaming, with the smartphone gaming industry currently projected to reach a revenue of US $1,235 million in 2020. Furthermore, India is currently ranked in the top five markets for mobile gaming when we consider the user base, and according to NASSCOM data, the mobile gaming market in India is expected to reach 628 million users this year. Popular games like PUBG and Fornite have played a significant role in the mobile gaming industry’s incredible growth, forcing smartphone companies to design models catering to this niche segment.
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Today, we have models like Realme Narzo 10A, Xiaomi Poco F1, and Huawei Honor Play that are available for less than Rs. 15,000, which come equipped with better GPUs and processors in order to provide the best gaming experience to the consumers. This has led to more youngsters staying glued to their phones for longer periods.
