Could you be addicted to your phone? Take our quiz to find out if your scrolling habit has gone too far

CONSTANTLY checking notifications and endlessly scrolling on social media is second nature for many. On average we spend four hours a day texting, swiping or watching content on our phones. On average we spend four hours a day texting, swiping or watching content on our phones Credit: Getty Last month research found that social media addicts are grumpier and more stressed Credit: Getty A recent survey by Virgin Media found more than a third of that time is spent without a clear purpose – dubbed “doomscrolling”. And this kind of time-wasting is not harmless. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! Last month research found that social media addicts are grumpier and more stressed than those who curb their browsing. More than a quarter of the 900 adults monitored over six months reported their online usage was at a level judged to be “pathological”. READ MORE ON MOBILE PHONES Another quarter had spent what was defined as a “risky” amount of time on their devices. Study author Dr Silke Muller, from University Hospital Essen in Germany, wrote in the scientific journal Plos One: “A negative outcome of internet use is the neglect of alternative activities. “There are reports of neglect of work, decreased job performance and worsened academic performance due to problematic social network use. “Daily problematic smartphone use showed negative effects on satisfaction with life.” Most read in Health More than a quarter of the 900 adults monitored reported their online usage was at a level judged to be ‘pathological’ Credit: Getty Take our quiz to find out if you need to be concerned about your mobile phone addiction Credit: Getty TAKE OUR QUIZ So take Luke Chafer’s quiz, inspired by the questions designed by experts, to determine whether your social media use is dangerous. For each “how often” question answer: A) Never = 0, B) Occasionally = 0, C) Often = 1, D) Very often = 1. Then tally your points to determine your score and addiction rating, below. Can’t stop scrolling? HOW often have you continued scrolling for at least 30 minutes longer than you intended? HOW often have you opened an app after telling yourself that you would not use it? HOW often have you checked your accounts repeatedly while you were meant to be doing something else? Is your phone taking over? HOW often have you chosen scrolling instead of exercising, enjoying a hobby or going out? HOW often have you put off housework or paid work so that you could remain online? HOW often have you paid more attention to an app than to someone who was with you? Ignoring the signs? HOW often have you continued scrolling – even though it was making you late for bed or causing you to lose sleep? HOW often have you continued using an app even though its content was making you feel stressed, anxious, angry or unhappy? HOW often have you continued using apps after they caused an argument or problem with a friend, relative or partner? Is it disrupting your life? HOW often have you left an important task unfinished because you spent too much time scrolling? HOW often has your use caused you to be late, miss an appointment or forget something you needed to do? HOW often has your use negatively affected your performance at work, school, university or home? Hooked from early on? HOW often have you checked an app within ten minutes of waking up? HOW often have you opened an app automatically without deciding to do so or having a particular reason? HOW often have you checked an app during a meal or a face-to-face conversation, even though it distracted you from the people around you? Results 0-2 points – not problematic: Your answers suggest that your use causes little regular interference with everyday life. 3-5 – risky: Your answers suggest some difficulty controlling your use or some negative effects on everyday life. 6-15 – potentially pathological: Your answers suggest frequent difficulty controlling your use and possible harm to your sleep, wellbeing, responsibilities or relationships. Comment now