Nomophobia: mobile phone addiction in Switzerland
Smartphones are becoming increasingly important – and sometimes a problem. Over 2 million people in Switzerland show clear signs of smartphone addiction, known as nomophobia. Comparis explains.
03.11.2026
Image / FG Trade
1. What is nomophobia?
«Nomophobia» is the fear of being without a mobile phone The word is an abbreviation of the English term «No-Mobile-Phone-Phobia».
If you are addicted to your mobile phone, you might experience feelings of anxietyif your smartphone is not available is. The nervousness can occur just at the thought of a time without a mobile phone.
Good to know: Smartphone addiction is often closely linked to FOMO («fear of missing out»). This is the fear of missing out.
From a scientific perspective, there is a distinction between nomophobia and mobile phone addiction. This is because mobile phone addiction is an addictive disorder. Nomophobia, on the other hand, is an anxiety disorder.
2. What are the symptoms of mobile phone addiction?
The symptoms of mobile phone addiction are similar to the withdrawal symptoms of other addictions. If the smartphone is not nearby, those affected show signs of
nervousness
Stress
Restlessness
social isolation
compulsive checking behaviour
Nomophobia is not yet recognised as an official diagnosis recognised.
In the graphic, you can take a mobile phone addiction test. It serves as an initial indication of whether you suffer from smartphone addiction. Important: The test is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis.
Are you addicted to your smartphone?
Nomophobia – the fear of being without your phone. Find out in 10 short questions how tightly your smartphone has you in its grip.
When are you considered to be addicted to your mobile phone?
Someone is considered addicted if the craving for a particular behaviour or consumption severely limits the person concerned severely limits the person concerned. Often, addicted people lose control of their behaviour. They cannot stop, despite the negative consequences.
The point at which your mobile phone use becomes mobile phone addiction varies from person to person. However, these points may indicate nomophobia:
You look at after waking up and before going to bed at your mobile phone.
You feel helpless, if you without a mobile phone leave the house or the battery is empty .
You miss things around you because you are distracted by your mobile phone .
You have pain in your fingers, wrist, shoulders or neck.
You use your mobile phone to cheer yourself up or relieve stress.
You communicate more via your mobile phone than in person.
You have hardly any interest in other hobbies.
Your thoughts are constantly focused on your mobile phone. You also regularly look at the screen even when there is no reason to do so.
You neglect people and activities in real life in order to spend time on your mobile phone.
People in Switzerland spend an average of 5.7 hours per day online on the go. Younger people use the Internet more than older people. However, not all online usage takes place on mobile phones – and mobile phone usage is not limited to online services.
There are hardly any studies on average mobile phone usage in Switzerland very few studies. Most of these are limited to children and young people. In Germany, the average duration of mobile phone use is between 1.5 and 3.5 hours per day. Usage decreases with age.
Consequences of excessive mobile phone use include, for example: inability to perform at work, at university and at school. Using a mobile phone while driving can increase the risk of an accident, as concentration and coordination while driving can be negatively affected.
Frequent use of a smartphone can also affect sleep. For example, it affects the duration and quality of sleep.
Smartphone addiction can also affect mental health. For example, there are links between heavy mobile phone use and depression or anxiety. Conflicts with caregivers can also arise as a result of mobile phone use.
3. Survey on smartphone addiction: How many people are addicted to their mobile phone?
According to the Comparis survey, around 75% of respondents show signs of nomophobia. Almost a third show clear signs; extrapolated, this amounts to more than 2 million people. A further 7% even show pronounced signs. Only about 25% of respondents can easily do without their mobile phone.
For many, the smartphone has become the digital umbilical cord to the outside world. If even an empty battery or lack of signal causes anxiety, this shows how much our sense of security depends on this device. The results are a reason to take a critical look at how one uses one’s mobile phone.
Most affected by nomophobia are people between 16 and 35 years of age. In this age group, 48% of respondents show at least clear signs of smartphone addiction.
Among people aged 36 to 55 almost a third show clear signs. In the age group of over-55s it is 19%.
Most common symptoms of mobile phone addiction
How does mobile phone addiction manifest itself in everyday life? Most commonly, by constantly checking their smartphone. Half of all respondents constantly check their smartphones to make sure they don’t miss any messages or calls. Another symptom manifests itself when the mobile phone is not nearby: about 35% of respondents then feel stressed. A low battery level also makes many people uneasy: 34% of people in Switzerland then become nervous.
4. Is there a Röstigraben when it comes to mobile phone addiction?
In the French-speaking part of Switzerland 37% of respondents show clear signs of nomophobia. In German-speaking Switzerland it is 28%. The difference is even greater when it comes to individual symptoms:
If there is no mobile phone signal or Internet, 40% of French-speaking Swiss feel anxious. That is twice as many as in German-speaking Switzerland.
The thought of being without a smartphone for 24 hours makes 42% of French-speaking Swiss feel uneasy. In German-speaking Switzerland, the figure is 29%.
The fact that such a clear «Röstigraben» (linguistic/cultural divide between German- and French-speaking Switzerland) emerges when it comes to smartphone withdrawal is noteworthy, but it generally reflects different digital usage habits. From surveys such as the JAMES study and the Digimonitor, we know that people in French-speaking Switzerland use social media and digital services significantly more intensively for information and entertainment than people in German-speaking Switzerland.
5. Addicted to my mobile phone: what can I do and how can I overcome mobile phone addiction?
Do you suffer from nomophobia? If so, a digital detox or a mobile phone detox can help. This means that you refrain from using digital media either partially or completely. The following tips will help you:
Time limits: Set fixed times or time limits for smartphone use or for individual apps. You can usually set the relevant time limits on your smartphone.
Digital detox apps: There are several apps that make it easier to take a break from your mobile phone.
Switch off notifications: If you receive fewer notifications, you will be distracted less often. With the focus mode you can specify which notifications you receive in which situation.
Put your mobile phone away: Place your mobile phone far away from you, ideally in another room. This creates a higher hurdle to using it. If this is not possible, at least place it with the screen facing down face down.
No mobile phone before bedtime: Stop using your mobile phone at least one hour before going to bed. This means that your thoughts will not be preoccupied with what’s on your phone when you go to bed. In addition, sleep quality improves.
Rules for mobile-free activities: Set rules for yourself about when you don’t want to use your smartphone. This could be, for example, during meals or at work.
Creating alternatives: For example, use a traditional alarm clock instead of your mobile phone.
You can still use your smartphone. However, using it more mindfully can help you to find a healthy level of mobile phone use.
Do you feel that you are unable to reduce your mobile phone use without help If so, psychotherapy may also be able to help you.
6. Frequently asked questions about mobile phone addiction
To combat nomophobia, you can use your smartphone more mindfully. For example, you can set fixed times for using your mobile phone. Also, find alternatives to your smartphone, such as a traditional alarm clock or a wristwatch.
It is important that you find a healthy level for mobile phone use.
Mobile phone addiction is also known as nomophobia This is the fear of being without a mobile phone.
Where mobile phone addiction begins varies from person to person. Does your mobile phone use restrict you in your day-to-day life, and are you unable to stop despite the negative consequences? These can be signs of mobile phone addiction.
Methodology
This representative survey was carried out by the market research institute Innofact on behalf of Comparis in September 2026. A total of 1,027 people aged between 16 and 74 from all regions of Switzerland were surveyed.
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This article was first published on 12.11.2024
