50 Percent of Teens Say They're 'Addicted' to Their Phones New poll confirms what many of us have seen firsthand.

By David Z. Morris

This story originally appeared on Fortune Magazine

Shutterstock

Last week, the nonprofit Common Sense Media released the findings of a new poll on mobile device usage and family conflict. Of more than 1,200 parents and teenagers surveyed, 50 percent of teens said they "feel addicted" to their mobile devices.

Though these teens were self-diagnosing, cell phone addiction, like Internet addiction before it, is a very real thing. Social media may be particularly entrancing, with notifications from apps like Facebook and Twitter providing jolts of pleasure in some ways similar to the effects of drugs and gambling.

In fact, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the 2013 DSM 5, added a category of addictive behavioral disorders that encompassed both gambling and Internet gaming. Cell phone addiction may not be far behind -- cell-phone rehab programs are already popping up around the U.S.

The Common Sense survey also found that while mobile device usage can cause conflicts in families, they may not be creating long-term harm. Around 70 percent of parents and teenagers said they argued about device usage, and 77 percent of parents said their teenagers were sometimes distracted by their phones or tablets during time spent together with family.

But more than 80 percent of both groups said that despite all that, mobile technology has made no difference in family relationships, or even improved them. While some of that may be wishful thinking on respondents' parts, it also likely reflects parents ability to keep closer tabs on kids through their phones and social media.

The study's most disturbing finding, though, is that 56 percent of parents surveyed admitted to checking their mobile devices while driving -- and that's probably a low number, since people tend to under-report bad behavior in self-reported surveys. Worse, 51 percent of teens reported seeing their parents using their phones while driving -- meaning parents were texting with their kids in the car.

In case it needs repeating (and apparently it does), drivers using a mobile device are as or more dangerous than drunk drivers.

David Z. Morris is a contributor for Fortune, writing frequently about technology.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

This 31-Year-Old Spends 2 Hours Per Week On His $3,000-a-Month Passive Income Side Hustle: 'Trust Your Vision'

Hansel Moore's home office "wasn't cutting it" — so he found another place to be creative.

Growing a Business

The 10 Best Podcasts Every Entrepreneur Should Listen to for Growth, Strategy and Success

Unlock your potential with the 10 must-listen podcasts for entrepreneurs, offering expert insights on growth, strategy and success.

Business News

Elon Musk's xAI Is Reportedly Set to Hire Thousands of 'AI Tutors' With Pay Up to $65 an Hour

Employees told Business Insider the company is expanding hiring soon.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

JPMorgan Is Reportedly Laying Off Around 1,000 Workers

JPMorgan is also planning job cuts in mid-March, May, June, August, and September, according to new reports.

Franchise

This Franchise Has Seen Remarkable Growth in the $5.3Bn Drug Testing Industry

Fastest Labs is a leader in the high-growth and recession-resistant drug, alcohol and DNA testing industry