46% of Aussies say they’re addicted to their mobile phones

In the last decade or so, our phones have evolved from simply being a portable telephone to becoming our personal assistants, entertainment hubs, workplaces, personal trainers and even replacing our wallets. And with the current state of international border closures, our mobiles are also our gateway to the rest of the world and the loved ones scattered across the globe. So, needless to say, most of us are pretty attached to our phones. But just how attached are we?

We surveyed Aussies about their mobile usage and their attitudes towards their phones, and the findings are pretty sobering, with almost half of us admitting we’re not just attached to our phones - we’re addicted.

Our previous research found that the average Australian spends 5.5 hours on their phone. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that 46% of respondents to our survey said they were addicted to their smartphones. In fact, our research showed that our phones are with us almost 24/7, with 72% of Aussies sleeping with their phone next to them and 79% saying they check their phone within 10 minutes of waking up.

Furthermore, 55% of respondents say they never leave the house without their phone, with three in four Aussies admitting they’d feel “uneasy” if they left it at home.

This growing addiction to our smartphones is also having an impact on our finances, with 32% of Australians saying they’ve exceeded their data allowance due to spending so much time on their phones. Fortunately, most mobile plans in Australia now provide far more data for a lower monthly cost, so simply changing plans could significantly reduce excess data charges.

At this point, our phones have become an essential part of daily life, so cutting out screen time completely isn’t a feasible solution. However, there are a few steps you can take to reduce how much time you spend on your phone and create a healthier relationship with technology.

• Consider a digital detox. Spending 24 hours without technology might not seem like much, but it could be exactly what you need to mentally recharge, rediscover tech-free hobbies and spend valuable time with loved ones.
• Set boundaries. Both iPhones and Android devices include the ability to set screen time limits and bedtimes, which can be configured to automatically silence new notifications, messages and calls after a certain time. We recommend at least 30 minutes of screen-free time before bed.
• Create a tech-free zone. Kim Anenberg Cavallo, Executive Director and co-founder of Unplug Collaborative, suggests making a space in your home that’s completely tech-free. Fill it with board games, books, puzzles, crafts and anything else that can help you unplug - even if just for a few hours.

We surveyed 1,000 Australians about their mobile usage and opinions, then analysed the results for this report.