A new study has found that young people’s excessive use of cell phones is eroding their personal relationships.

The Daily Mail is reporting on the study, conducted by Dr. James Roberts and Dr. Stephen Pirog III at Baylor University, found the compulsive use of a cell phone is just as addicting as compulsive spending or credit card misuse.

The study, which was based on the cell phone habits of 191 students at two American universities, found that in addition to sending over 100 texts a day, students are also checking their phone up to 60 times daily. This results in about seven hours a day spent interacting with information and communication technology rather than in making personal contact with friends and family.

“At first glance, one might have the tendency to dismiss such aberrant cell phone use as merely youthful nonsense – a passing fad. But an emerging body of literature has given increasing credence to cell phone addiction and similar behavioral addictions,” said Dr. Roberts in a press release.

This addiction is being driven by materialism and impulsiveness, the researchers say, which also play a role in other behavioral and substance addictions.

“Mobile phones are a part of our consumer culture,” Dr Roberts said. “They are not just a consumer tool, but are used as a status symbol. They’re also eroding our personal relationships.”

He went on to say that the majority of young people he spoke with say losing their cell phone would be “disastrous to their social life.”

This is why it’s important for students to realize when their behavior is becoming a problem. Even though many people accept other forms of substance addiction, few are willing to recognize the fact that behavioral addiction can be just as dangerous.

The study was published in a recent edition of the Journal of Behavioral Addictions.

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