A Global Perspective: Is ‘Smartphone/computer(mis)use distractive syndrome’ (scuds) at work places a time bomb to humanity? By Kizito Simon Njaye
1.0?Introduction
Smartphones/computers are powerful tools that allows us to have instant access to information and communication. On one side when used appropriately these tools can make our lives easier and more enjoyable ,while on the other side misuse or abuse of these devices at the work places can retrogressively curtail productivity, work outputs ,overall employee performances, compromise safety at work places, violation of smartphone/computer use policies and regulations at the work places, also leads to employers incurring colossal financial losses when certain daily tasks are not well completed by the employees hence disrupting the organisation’s profits and expected incomes/revenues.
The time spent by some employees performing non-work tasks with their smartphones/computers at their work places wastes valuable productive time that could be used to perform useful/gainful organisational tasks that positively contribute to the overall employee productivity of the organisation.
According to Researchgate 2024, Phone/computer addiction, characterized by excessive and compulsive use of smartphones/computers, has become a prevalent issue in modern society. It often manifests through constant checking of social media, texting, and browsing, leading to significant disruptions in daily and work life.
This addiction cannot only cause negative impacts on the individual’s physical health but also mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and decreased attention span. Social relationships and productivity at work or school also suffer, as individuals may become isolated or distracted.
Physical health is at risk too, with issues like eyestrain, poor posture, and disrupted sleep patterns. Tackling phone/computer addiction requires conscious efforts, such as setting usage limits, engaging in offline activities, and using apps designed to monitor and reduce screen time. Addressing this problem is crucial for improving overall well-being and fostering healthier interactions with technology.
All these unethically excessive aberrant behaviours of phone/computer additions whether at the workplaces or at home can be summated as “Smartphone/computer(mis) use distractive syndrome” (Scuds) or the "Technopandemic effect".This syndrome/effect has permeated and infected all work environments on earth from the private sectors, public sectors, the military, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas industries,banks,marine,engineering,academia,health,aviation,state intelligence/security agencies, controllers at the Airports Operation Control Centres, etc.
2.0????????? Pros and Cons of (mis)use of Smartphones/computers at the work places. The Smartphone/computer (mis)use distractive “scuds” syndrome or the "Technopandemic effect".
The ethical use of smartphone/computers at the work places can make the employees lives easy and enjoyable meanwhile the abuse/addition/misuse of these devices can lead to occupational hazards and compromise employee safety and also curtail their overall productivity and performances.
The pros of the use of smartphones/computers at the workplaces are:
·???????? Easy of communication: These devices can be used to communicate and send information faster during emergency situations, change of operations, instructions, as a means of alerting others of emergency situations etc
·???????? Carry out research and Learning: With the advent of the internet/smartphones/computers employees can research on any job related topic/subject with speed and easy. This gives employees opportunity to learn about new skills, acquire more knowledge, become abreast on a number of disciplines and work related subject matter.
·???????? Employees can work remotely anywhere: Some employees can complete their tasks at home, at coffee shop, on a flight using these devices with easy and submit the completed tasks to their employers on time.
·???????? Replacing the archaic landlines: Smartphones/computer use has replaced landlines. Employees are able to use their personal devices to effectively perform and complete the organisation’s tasks without using the company resources. This in essence saves the organisation some time and money.
The Cons of the use of smartphones/computers at the workplaces are:
·???????? Distractions: The unethical use of these devices at the work places leads to distractions, lack of focus, concentration by the employees, compromise of the safety of the work force etc all these summating into loss of productivity, efficiency and work output, costing the organisation revenue loss in billions of US $ per annum,
The two types of distractions are Internal (from the employee’s mind for example fatigue, illness, personal problems, day dreaming etc) and External (from the work environment for example music, noise, emails, text messages, news etc).
According to www.clockify.me ,it listed in 2023 the crucial statistics of the work place distractions as Cell phone 55 %,The Internet: 41%,Gossip: 39%,Social media: 37%,Co-workers dropping by: 27%,Smoke breaks or snack breaks: 27%,Emails: 26%,Meetings: 24%,Noisy co-workers: 20%, and Sitting in a cubicle: 9%.
·???????? Embedded work and personal lives: All employees performing organisation based tasks must delineate/separate working time and personal life time. Never at any time must an employee overwhelm themselves with organisation tasks at their homes at the expense of their family lives.
·???????? Smartphone/computer use addition: This is similar to any other types of human/anthropogenic additions like drugs, pornography, gambling etc ,cell/computer addition or abuse is real and can negatively impact on the ?physical and mental health of the employees in the short term and this compounded can affect the overall productivity of the entire organisation.
·???????? Occupational injuries/hazards: For employees who are operating equipment, driving and working at heights, it has been observed that text messaging while at work have led to occupational injuries and in some cases fatalities of these errant employees or others in these perturbated work environments.
All the above mentioned abuse/additions/distractive behaviours while using digital devices (especially cell phones/computers) in the work places can be summated as “Smartphone/computer (mis)use distractive syndrome” (Scuds) a growing technological pandemic ("Technopandemic effect") of our times in these digital and computer ages which must be addressed by all stakeholders in order to save the employers and employees money and time.
3.0?The way forward
A cell phone/computer is both a useful?tool and a potentially dangerous distraction. It is not enough to say it is simply one thing or another. Rather, depending on your particular industry and worksite, you can make the determination about mobile/computer device use and restrictions. The most important thing is understanding the potential risks involved in your particular workplace and taking steps to keep everyone safe.?
According to Business Daily News, Cell phone/computer distractions at the work places can be prevented through the following ways:
·???Flexible schedules: This option of remote working?can help some?employees to create a work-life balance. By providing flexibility, employees can take care of personal tasks during their off hours?meanwhile remaining focused on assigned tasks to be completed on the specified time/period.?
·???Designate go-to spots:?Establish quiet spaces in the office or the working environment and offer time-management workshops. Employees may be less tempted to use their phones/computers if they’re able to work in a peaceful environment.?
·???Provide break rooms: The employer should encourage their employees to turn off non-work-related notifications/texts/messages while in the office or at the work place. You can also set up short break times when your staff can use their phones (phone use breaks).?
·???Use monitoring software: To?track employee productivity – and let your workers know you’re doing so. If they’re aware you’re able to see, for example, how long their computer is sitting idle, they may be less likely to ditch the keyboard and mouse for their cell phones.?
·???Regular feedback: Establish?performance plans?for underperforming employees. Include specific information about time wasted on mobile devices or accessing blocked content, as well as any incidents that stem from distractions on the job.
·???Company policies and regulations: Implement all the organisation’s policies and regulations appertaining to the use of digital devices at the work place. All those employees found breaching these regulations must be subjected to disciplinary actions by the employer.
4.0? Conclusion
As discussed above, digital distractions by cell phones/computers at the work places is a growing technological pandemic of our times since the advent of the internet, computers, cell phones during the digital age. It is evident that our uncontrolled work place behaviours while using these digital devices have made employees of most organisations worldwide to be at crossroads with their employers for performing non-work unproductive tasks by using their cell phones/computers.
Smart phone/computer (mis)use distractive syndrome(scuds) or the "Technopandemic effect" is the biggest time bomb of our times curtailing productivity at the work places, obstructing attention, focus and concentration by employees in a given working environment, exposing employees to occupational injuries/fatalities and with? estimated ?financial losses in billions of dollars per annum to different employers/organisations globally.
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There is a need for a multidisciplinary approach by all stakeholders to address this growing global syndrome among the working communities and come up with workable solutions.
References
- Crucial Workplace Distractions Statistics 2023 edition
- Employees Waste Time Using Cell Phones at Work ,
-Internet abuse in the workplace – Issues and concerns for employers and employment counsellors,
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-Njaye S K (2024) The Smartphone/Computer(mis) distractive syndrome (Scuds).
African Research Consult-Uganda Chapter.
-Phone addiction,
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KIZITO SIMON NJAYE
Research Associate
AFRICAN RESEARCH CONSULT-UGANDA CHAPHTER
Email [email protected]
Telephone +256782672632/+256 758844318
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