Young people are less addicted to smartphones than they are fearful of 'missing out', expert says
The phenomenon is also common among adults, according to author
By Erin Barry
How many times a day do most people check their phones? Dozens, hundreds? And what about their kids?
A study conducted by Common Sense Media found that 50 per cent of teens "feel addicted" to mobile devices, and 59 per cent of their parents agree. It's a growing concern that has even prompted two of Apple's major investors, CalSTERS and Jana Partners, to urge the tech giant to take action.
Ana Homayoun, author of "Social Media Wellness," said it's not so much that the phone is addictive, it's really the applications on the phone and how it's being used.
"When we think about social media, so much of it is created on this feedback loop of notifications. They want to promote engagement," Homayoun told CNBC's "On the Money" in an interview.
She added, "They create this system where you always want to be online. And it can create this fear of missing out if we're not online. This happens for adults as well as kids."
It raises the question of what age is the right time for a child to receive a smartphone. According to a study conducted by Pew Research, 73 percent of teens age 13-17 have smartphones, including 68 perc ent of 13-14 years old.
