Cellphone Addiction

We tote our iPhones, LGs and BlackBerrys with us so we can contact anyone, anywhere, any time--and so we can be reached instantly. According to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project survey, 51% of those polled said it would be very hard to give up their cellphones, up from 38% in 2002. The cellphone, in fact, was the most coveted technology in the survey, ahead of Internet access and television.

These aren't the frustrations of an isolated few, but of the mobile majority. Our phones have become such a big part of how we're able to function that it begs the question: Are we addicted to our cells?

Experts say constant use of mobile devices hasn't been diagnosed as an addiction--yet. But some contend that it's fast on its way to being classified as a disease similar to drug addiction, alcoholism or gambling.