Smartphone as a parasite: Whether the head lice or stomach worms have been part of human life for a long time, but today’s most dangerous “parasite” neither appears nor creeps on the body, it is our smartphone. This device, which is shiny, attractive and all the time with us, has now become not only an assistant but a parasite that is sucking our time, attention and personal information quietly. We do not benefit from this, but to tech companies and advisors.
What is the parasite?
From a biological point of view, the parasite is the organism that depends on another organism (called host) and damages it by taking resources from his body. Just like lice suck blood from the heads of humans, but in return we get only itching and trouble.
Smartphone: Never helpful, now burden
When the smartphones came, they made life easy, showed the way, gave health tracking, and kept connected with the world. But now this device is snatching our sleep, bringing distance in relationships and increasing mental stress. Some relationships are also helpful in the natural world, such as good bacteria living in our intestines which help us in digestion. This is called Mutualism. The relationship of the smartphone was also the same for help, the convenience. But research shows that now this relationship has gradually turned into parasitism. Now this device works to earn its profit, not for our good.
How is the smartphone exploiting?
Most of today’s apps are designed in such a way that you open them again and again, click on advertisements and be stuck in the apps. Every click, your data is extracted from every swipe that companies use to “hook” you more. Apps show you goals like fitness or family time, but the real purpose is to capture your attention and earn more.
Is it possible to get rid of this parasite?
History tells that two things are necessary first, we have to recognize when and how the smartphone is exploiting us. Second, we have to answer this, that is, we have to learn to distance away from it if needed. But this isn’t so easy. The smartphone has become part of the necessary services today, banking, government work, messaging, maps etc. In such a situation, making distance from him is no longer possible for everyone.
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