Techno-junkies

Some time ago I watched some videos shot by the participants of Turkcell’s customer insight studies. The segment considered was the university students and they were given video cameras and asked to stop using mobile phones for some time. The cameras were for them to share their experience and thoughts.

Though I do not remember the videos in detail, I remember how they were complaining about the lack of communication. Even though some of the videos were a bit exaggerated, their message was clear and not surprising: Mobile phones became a huge part of our life.

A recent post at Engadget talking about a research by International Center for Media and the Public Agenda (ICMPA) reminded me that customer insight study. ICMPA’a research is sure more comprehensive but shares a similar idea: A class of 200 students living without any media (cell phone, iPod, television, car radio, magazines, newspapers and computer) for 24 hours and blog about their experience.

According to a new ICMPA study, most college students are not just unwilling, but functionally unable to be without their media links to the world.

The research study is not just showing that we’re incapable of living without media, but points out that we are actually addicted to it suffering withdrawal symptoms, just like real addicts.

Many students described their reactions to going without media for 24 hours in literally the same terms associated with drug and alcohol addictions: In withdrawal, Frantically craving, Very anxious, Extremely antsy, Miserable, Jittery, Crazy.

Do you think you could succeed (no texting, no Facebook or IM-ing) or could not resist to the desire and fail to complete assignment as some students did? Are you one of those junkies?