The younger generation suffering from nomophobia is facing an increasing range of psychological challenges with each passing day. From school bus rides to late-night work chats, smartphones have become inseparable from daily life, making complete disconnection nearly impossible.
While mobile phones serve as essential tools for work, family communication, safety, and social interaction, health experts warn that anxiety triggered by being without a phone is no longer just a habit but a serious mental health concern.
Medical professionals describe this condition as nomophobia—an irrational fear or anxiety of being without a mobile phone.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 94 percent of mobile phone users in the United States experience some level of nomophobia.
Although the study focused on the US, psychologists working in the Middle East, particularly the UAE, report that similar symptoms are rapidly emerging in the region.
Doctors explain that nomophobia often goes unrecognized, as it manifests through subtle symptoms rather than direct complaints.
Common signs include sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety, reduced concentration, and mental stress when the phone is not within reach.
Dr Umar bin Abdul Aziz, a psychologist at NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi, said that patients rarely visit clinics complaining specifically about nomophobia, yet its effects are clearly reflected in sleep patterns, mood, and daily functioning.
Multiple studies conducted on students and young adults in the UAE have also linked excessive smartphone use to poor sleep quality and heightened stress levels.
According to Dr. Abdul Aziz, the issue is not merely excessive phone usage but the loss of balance and self-control. When the absence of a phone leads to persistent anxiety, strained relationships, or negatively affects education and work, it becomes a serious concern.
Experts caution that severe panic when separated from phones, repeated failure to cut down usage, disrupted sleep, social withdrawal, and family conflicts are warning signs that should not be ignored. Emotional dependence on online validation, particularly among young people, is considered a major red flag.
Clinical psychologist Sree Vidhya Srinivas from Mediclinic Kamali Clinic Dubai noted that nomophobia is increasingly appearing in therapy sessions, even though many patients are unfamiliar with the term itself.
She explained that anxiety, restlessness, sleep problems, and lack of focus when separated from phones are becoming common among youth, especially in societies where digital connectivity is deeply embedded in everyday life.
Experts agree that the solution does not lie in completely banning phone use, but in restoring balance. Dr. Abdul Aziz emphasized gradual and practical changes, such as keeping phones out of the bedroom at night, slowly increasing phone-free time, and reducing unnecessary notifications. For young people, parents adopting balanced digital habits and setting mutually agreed boundaries have proven to be particularly effective.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shajo George, a psychologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, stated that although nomophobia has not yet been officially classified as a mental disorder, screening for it is increasing in clinical settings. He added that physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, panic, and irregular breathing linked to phone separation are becoming increasingly common.
Experts acknowledge that while large-scale data in the UAE remains limited, regional trends clearly indicate that youth—especially women—are more vulnerable, underscoring the urgent need for balance in today’s digital lifestyle.
