Introduction

 

You might expect children or young adults to be the most at risk of mobile-phone addiction. But increasingly, older adults—our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles—are becoming just as (or more) glued to their phones.
They spend hours scrolling, watching videos, clicking links. They believe messages on WhatsApp, forward every ‘urgent’ note, and then fall prey to scams that take away money, privacy, dignity.
In my practice at Mind & Mood Clinic, Nagpur, I’ve seen elderly patients whose physical complaints—sleep trouble, anxiety, restless legs—are actually tied to their nonstop screen time and online stress. So yes, we must pay attention to mobile-detox for seniors, just as much as for teens.

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Symptoms: What to watch out for

When older adults get into excessive phone use, the signs can be subtle—and make matters worse by being mistaken for “normal ageing”. Here are things to look for:

• Preoccupation with the phone: constantly checking WhatsApp, YouTube, news alerts even late at night.
• Ignoring usual activities: once sociable, the person now sits alone with the phone, doesn’t attend family gatherings, or watches TV less.
• Loss of control: says “just 10 minutes more”, but two hours later still scrolling.
• Escalation: turning to the phone to manage loneliness, boredom, anxiety.
• Neglect of self-care or household tasks: chores get delayed, hygiene suffers, physical moving less.
• Sleep disturbance: using phone at night, being unable to switch off, resulting in poor sleep, more naps in day.
• Emotional changes: feeling anxious if phone is not nearby; getting upset when challenged about usage; irritability when asked to stop.
• Financial/social vulnerability: believing forwarded messages, clicking links that lead to scams, sharing bank details, or falling for investment schemes. For instance, in Andhra Pradesh senior citizens comprised 10% of cyber-crime victims. (The Times of India)
• Physical decline: Less walking, less activity, more sedentary—linked to smartphone overuse in older adults. (BioMed Central)

In one case, an elderly woman told me: “Doctor, I keep watching videos all night, and by morning my legs are aching, I feel guilty I missed my morning walk.” That guilt and physical pain often hide the real issue of “phone addiction”.

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Etiology: Why does this happen in the elderly?

Several interacting reasons make older adults vulnerable—particularly in the Indian context:

1. Loneliness & Social Isolation

With children moving out, friends passing away, mobility reducing—many seniors feel lonely. The phone offers a connection (WhatsApp, video calls), and quickly becomes a substitute for real interaction. A study from Bengaluru noted elders turning to phones to cope with boredom and loneliness. (The Times of India)

2. Lack of Alternative Activities

Retirement, health problems, less physical mobility mean fewer meaningful activities. The phone becomes an easy “go-to” for stimulation.

3. Psychological Need for Relevance & Control

Using a smartphone gives older adults a feeling of staying connected, being up-to-date, not left out. It supports autonomy and self-esteem. However, over-use converts that empowerment into dependence. (The Times of India)

4. Cognitive & Emotional Vulnerability

Ageing brings changes in attention, memory, speed. The brain’s reward mechanisms may be more sensitive to the instant gratification of scrolling, clicking, video playing. A Turkish study (2025) found smartphone addiction in elderly linked with lower physical activity and ADL (activities of daily living). (BioMed Central)

5. Digital Illiteracy & Trust

Many seniors are not trained in digital literacy. They trust forwarded messages, don’t check authenticity, click on links blindly. That makes them prone to scams. For example, Andhra Pradesh police recorded senior citizens as 10% of cybercrime victims. (The Times of India)

6. Escape from Emotional Pain

Some elderly persons have underlying depression, anxiety, loss grief (loss of spouse, friends, role). The phone becomes a distraction or escape. What starts as “just browsing” becomes avoidance of real emotional processing.

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Epidemiology: How common is it (especially in India)?

• In India, an article from Bengaluru reported many elders seeking help for mobile addiction—“elders get addicted to mobiles”. (The Times of India)
• A recent international study in 2025 of older adults (mean age ~70) found 34% spent between 3-7 hours/day on smartphone use, and smartphone addiction scores were associated with lower physical activity and ADL. (BioMed Central)
• While most research focuses on youth, the trend among seniors is rising. The risk of being victim of digital fraud is evident: in one locale in Andhra Pradesh, seniors made up 10% of cybercrime victims. (The Times of India)
• Given India’s ageing population (growing >60 years), even a modest percentage means a large number of elderly individuals are in this risk zone.

So yes: it is a growing public mental-health challenge in India.

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History & Trends

• Traditionally, phone addiction was associated with younger people (teens, young adults).
• With smartphone penetration increasing, older generations have also now adopted digital devices.
• Over the last decade in India, Internet and smartphone access among seniors increased, especially during COVID-19 lockdowns (for video calls, WhatsApp groups).
• However, what was once a tool for connection shifted in some cases to overuse. The term “nomophobia” (fear of being without phone) although initially applied to youth, is relevant for seniors too. (Wikipedia)
• Behavioural-addiction clinics (digital well-being) are now being set up in India, partly in response to rising digital-usage problems across age groups. (The Times of India)

Thus, what we’re seeing is a shift: from “phone usage as access” to “phone usage as potential addiction” in the elderly.

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Pathogenesis: What happens in the mind & brain

When we dig deeper into how this addiction develops in older adults, here’s a simplified picture:

1. Trigger & reinforcement: The phone provides immediate rewards—videos, messages, new information—so the reward system (dopamine) gets activated.
2. Escalation: What begins as casual use shifts to longer sessions. The older adult might watch videos late at night, skip naps, delay meals.
3. Loss of control & neglect: The person realises the time spent is large, but finds it hard to stop. Usual priorities (health check-ups, walks, social visits) get pushed aside.
4. Tolerance & dependency: The “dose” (time) increases. If phone is removed, feelings of restlessness, anxiety or boredom emerge.
5. Complications: Sleep disruption, sedentary lifestyle, cognitive slump, fall in real-world interactions. Also vulnerability to external threats—scams, phishing, online fraud.
6. Psychological reinforcing loops: The phone becomes both a soothing agent (reduces loneliness) and a stressor (bad news, scam alerts, social comparison).
7. Underlying vulnerabilities: Existing anxiety, depression, grief, low social support magnify the problem. In older adults, less neuroplasticity + less resilience = a steeper fall.

In short: the phone is not just a device—behaviourally it becomes a “safe place” which paradoxically increases risk.

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What can be done?

Here are steps for families, caregivers, and clinicians to help elderly mobile addiction:

For families & caregivers

• Start gentle conversation: “I’ve noticed you spend a lot of time on the phone—are you okay? Are you getting bored or sleepy at night?”
• Set shared rules: e.g., “no phone after 9 pm”, “phone-free dinner time”, “limit video watching to 30 minutes”.
• Offer alternative activities: Encourage walks, gardening, games with grandchildren, phone calls with friends (not screen).
• Teach digital literacy: Show safe usage, how to check forwarded messages, how to recognise scams. Explain that just because a message is forwarded doesn’t mean it’s true.
• Create social connection: Promote real-life interactions—tea with neighbours, local club, temple visits. Reducing loneliness lowers risk.
• Model behaviour: Younger family members can reduce their own screen-time to set an example.
• Watch for scams: If you see bank alerts, investments on phone, or too-good-to-be-true messages—step in. Senior citizens are targets.

Convincing elderly—biggest challenge

Many seniors resist: they feel the phone is their connection, their entertainment, their “window to the world”. Telling them “you’re addicted” may provoke defense. Better approach:

• Validate: “I understand the phone gives you comfort and company.”
• Collaborative goal: “Let’s try together a new routine where you have one hour with the phone, then you try another activity.”
• Link to health: “I’ve noticed your sleep is disturbed, your legs ache—could it be related to late-night videos?” Making the connection helps.
• Empower them: Instead of “you’re doing wrong”, use: “Would you like to feel more energetic in the morning? Let’s try reducing screen time after 10 pm and see if that helps.”
• Be patient: Behaviour change takes time. Celebrate small wins.

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Personal Anecdotes & Clinical Perspective

In my clinic in Nagpur I once worked with Mr S, age 72, widower. His daughter brought him in complaining “Dad just sits on the phone, doesn’t speak to me, sleep at odd hours, got scammed for ₹50,000.” On exploration we found he’d lost his wife two years ago, children were abroad, and the smartphone was his only company. He had stopped walking in the morning, his BP was poorly controlled, sleep was erratic. We structured a plan: limit phone after 9 pm, schedule a daily walk with a neighbour, join a local senior-citizens club. Over three months, his sleep improved, his social visits increased, and he tracked less youtube time.

Another case: Mrs R, age 68, came in with anxiety—she believed every WhatsApp investment forward she saw, ended up upset and confused when money didn’t appear. We worked on digital-literacy, scam-awareness, and built alternate routines: pottery class, phone-free breakfast club. Within months she regained confidence, reduced phone triggers, and stopped checking WhatsApp every five minutes.

From these I’ve learnt: for seniors, the phone is not just gadget—it’s emotional lifeline. Breaking or moderating that requires sensitivity, not just telling “stop using”.

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Call to Action

If you recognise these signs in a family-member or patient—don’t wait. Behavioural addictions in adults (including seniors) can worsen physical health, cognitive decline, and increase risk of scams.
At Mind & Mood Clinic, Nagpur, we specialise in behavioural issues across age-groups. If you wish to schedule a consultation or family session for mobile-usage habits, digital-detox, or scam-stress in older adults—call us: +91-8208823738. Our goal: help your elder regain healthy habits, safety, social connection, and peace of mind.

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Remember: age is no barrier to change. The still-young mind of a senior needs support, purpose, connection—not just a screen. Let’s help our elders rediscover real life beyond the glowing phone.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional assessment. If you or a loved one are experiencing distressing symptoms related to mobile phone use, please consult a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist.
— Dr Rameez Shaikh, MD (Psychiatrist & Counsellor), Mind & Mood Clinic, Nagpur.