Need to strike a healthy balance with technology

Addiction to smart devices, especially smartphones, has become a global phenomenon, especially in urban areas of the world. Things have come to such a state that a majority of smartphone users have developed the habit of constantly checking their devices, irrespective of whether they are behind the wheel, at work, or at home. If mobile phones were only used for voice and text communication some years ago, now they have got the “smart” badge and become an “essential” part of life. Checking their smartphones (many users keep at least two devices) is the last thing many users do before they sleep and as soon as they wake up. This habit plagues them even during vacations.It is a common sight to see people immersed in their smartphones even when they are in the company of their family members. Communication within families gets curtailed to monosyllabic utterances as each one is busy updating their status on Facebook or letting the “world” know what they feel through Twitter or sending jokes and pictures to contacts by way of WhatsApp.Gulf Times had recently reported, based on a study, that Android users in Qatar spend nearly 25% of their wake phase (i.e. more than four hours a day) actively on their smartphones. This is higher than in countries like Malaysia, India and Indonesia where Android users spend approximately only three hours on their smartphones.Gaming is a big activity across consumer profiles in Qatar. Social networking starts as soon as the day begins and peaks around 10pm while other online activities like videos peak at different times. The study was conducted by Nielsen, a global information and measurement company with a presence in approximately 100 countries, using Informate On-Device Meter that captured the behaviour and actual usage of 500 respondents across different nationality groups in Qatar, round-the-clock, on Android devices.Further findings revealed that consumer mobile behaviour shows different patterns by different profiles on major occasions. During Ramadan in Qatar, youth increased their mobile engagement by 12% while other profiles, such as the female population, reduced their engagement. Also mobile behaviour, patterns and peaks are strikingly different by nationality groups like Qataris, Arab and Asian expats.While puzzles and arcade games are most popular among Android smartphone users in Qatar, Candy Crush Saga has the highest reach with 17% followed by Clash of Clans (14%) in October 2014. These games are played at least once a month. Android, a smartphone operating system developed by Google, is also the most widely used. Given that smartphones have become an integral part of life, it is up to each user to determine how he or she should use it. While utilising their technological edge for augmenting communication and productivity at work, or to connect with family and friends in different parts of the world, care should be taken to strike a healthy balance. Face-to-face interpersonal communication, without the disturbances of smart devices, ought to be encouraged, especially within office environments and at home. Smart devices must be switched off at night to ensure quality and sufficient sleep. Technology should be put to smart use, instead of becoming enslaved to it.