One digit at a time.  Researchers at Baylor University fear we are becoming addicted to our cell phones.

A Baylor Business school study published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions warns that our increasing reliance on cell phones is now bordering on obsession, especially among young people.

"Cell phones are a part of our consumer culture," said study author James Roberts, Ph.D., professor of marketing and the Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. "They are not just a consumer tool, but are used as a status symbol. They're also eroding our personal relationships."

Roberts says the study indicates the average college student sends close to 110 text messages a day and checks email 60 times a day. He cautions that the research indicates cell phone addiction may be "just as real" as substance addiction. 

"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," Roberts said.

Data for this study come from self-report surveys of 191 business students at two U.S. universities. Cell phones are used by approximately ninety percent of college students, and said Roberts, "serve more than just a utilitarian purpose". Cell phones are accessible at any time, including during class, and possess an ever-expanding array of functions, which makes their use or over-use increasingly likely. A majority of young people claim that losing their cell phone would be disastrous to their social lives, he said.

The researchers fear that as our phones get even better, providing more functions and services, our obsession with them may spiral while our face to face communications with people will plummet.

What do you think? Feel free to text me your opinion.