BlackBerry inducing addictive behavior?
updated 03:05 pm EDT, Tue August 22, 2006
BlackBerry Addiction
With Research in Motion prepared to release its first media-centric BlackBerry, researchers are concerned that its existing focus on push e-mail is triggering addictive qualities in frequent users. A recent study by Rutgers University warns employers not to rely too heavily on the constant e-mail and phone communication allowed by BlackBerries as it might promote compulsive use of the devices. The fast-paced nature of work in that kind of environment can overstimulate workers and become addictive, says Rutgers associate professor and researcher Gayle Porter. This finding contradicts a recent study by YouGov commissioned through T-Mobile suggests that over 90 percent of UK BlackBerry owners claim to save themselves business-related stress by using their devices to respond more quickly to time-sensitive problems at the office.
