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Are you addicted to your smartphone?

Are you addicted to your smartphone?

Update: 2026-01-02
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How many hours a day do you spend on your smartphone?



Smartphones have become essential to daily life - but concerns about overuse are growing. Research has linked smartphone addiction to depression, anxiety, and loneliness.



Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to 27-year-old Dion Rapakgadi from Johannesburg about his past struggles with phone addiction, and to Kenyan musician Nviiri the Storyteller, who recently swapped his smartphone for a basic “dumb phone.”



We also hear from Dr Ethel Obeng-Treve, a Clinical Psychologist from Ghana, who shares insights on how to have a healthier relationship with your smartphone.



Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Weldye

Senior Producer: Priya Sippy

Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla
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Are you addicted to your smartphone?

Are you addicted to your smartphone?

BBC