Sleep State Impasse : A mass digital disorder

Shree k h Nepolean *

The human civilization today is facing a tremendous crisis of collective sleep state impasse which leads us to the end of human psychological evolution. With the ever increasing advancement of artificial intelligence technology for better or for worse, for the first time in the history of mankind man does not need man for work, education, healthcare, entertainment and several other assistance that couldn’t be done without man. The day has come and we are living it now, whatsoever we need and want are all available in our hands virtually or actually in the push of a button.

I’m afraid; I am bringing you to notice what I termed as sleep state impasse, this phenomenon when you realized the impasse you will find it utterly discomforting and you might want to get rid of it, but it will be difficult and arduous.

The technology that we used in our daily life - mobile phone, tablets, computers and other devices. Can you leave them at home when you go for work? Can you leave them when you go for a walk? Can you leave them when you drive? Can you leave them when you eat? Meeting, talking, drinking, shitting, lying. Can you stay without your phone? This phenomenon when you realized, you can’t get rid of it but you want to, is what I called sleep state impasse.

Nearly 90 percent of the world populations who have access to the smartphone are suffering from this disorder 24 hour knowingly or unknowingly. Now, we came to realize the disorder; what should we do? If you think you can handle the disorder by inducing the beneficial values of the devices you used, I guarantee it will only worsen the disorder.

All of us have been programmed to look the devices we used as friendly and unknowingly induced with great marketing techniques to stay put. It’s been years; we have become mechanical, unless we are very careful and alert the mind that is in disorder will be hard to put in order. We have to bring in discipline to transform the unawareness of its usage and to bring upon a rightful way to use these devices.

The application in our mobile phone is made in such that it becomes our integral part of our life. The social media apps like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are made for the users to stay in 24 hours active. The tools such as emoji signs, comment and share are used to programmed our mind to actively stays to the products they feed on their sites.

Truth be told, all of these companies have access to your personal information, your camera, your audio, your chat history, they have got everything and shares the information with other companies for targeting sales and closing deals. The former employees of this social media companies have confess on how they used customer’s algorithms to create targeted sales and induced to stay put on their apps. Remember the more you stay on their sites the more money they earn.

In America on average, in 2025, people are checking their phones 205 times a day. According to recent data, the average person spends 4 hours and 37 minutes on their phone every day. That's the equivalent of over 1 day per week or 6 days per month. Across a year, that's approximately 70 days spent looking at a phone. Perhaps surprisingly, weekdays average more smartphone use than weekends.

On average, people check their phones 58 times per day. Teenagers, in particular, are known to check their phones even more frequently, with some checking their phones as often as every 5 minutes. And almost 52% of phone checks (30 per day) occur during work hours. However, this number may vary depending on age, lifestyle, and professional needs. The data indicates just the tip of the iceberg.

According to research, the main reason people use social media apps is boredom (51.8%). Other reasons for using smartphones to access social media include: Curiosity – 18.6%, Information – 16%, Loneliness – 9.4%, Necessity/Work – 3.8%, Health purposes – 0.4%. Despite increasing daily smartphone use, only around 1 in 10 people (10.3%) believe screen time has a positive effect on mental health. By contrast, 68.6% of those surveyed believe that screen time affects mental health negatively.

Reasons behind Frequent Phone Use:

1. Social Media and Messaging – Apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook constantly notify users, encouraging them to check their phones frequently. The fear of missing out (FOMO) often leads to compulsive phone checking.

2. Work and Productivity – Many professionals use their phones for emails, calendar management, and remote work. This can significantly increase screen time throughout the day.

3. Entertainment and Streaming – Watching videos, playing games, and reading articles contribute to extensive phone use. Platforms like YouTube and Netflix offer endless content, keeping users engaged for hours.

4. Shopping and Online Services – The rise of e-commerce and digital payments has made mobile phones an essential tool for daily transactions, increasing the frequency of use.

While smartphones have made life more convenient, excessive usage has negative effects. Studies suggest that constant phone use can lead to reduced productivity, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues such as anxiety and stress. Additionally, prolonged screen exposure can cause eye strain and affect posture.

At starting create a limit for unnecessary phone use; you can adopt simple strategies such as setting screen-time limits, using “Do Not Disturb” mode, and engaging in offline activities like reading or exercising. However you have to be cautious because you may require your devices for emergency or any important work in the beginning of the observation.

Now we all know that we are in a state of disorder; if you find a viper in your room before you go to bed, what would you do? Until you let the viper out from the room you cannot have a peaceful sleep. In the later observation we are going to do the same, letting the danger pass. First of all, whatsoever is happening it is happening in the mind. Therefore it is critical to understand the nature of the mind.

Unless you know its structure, its functioning, it will be hard to transcend. Right knowledge and discipline is necessary to counter this disorder, we are to bring awareness in our daily life, moment to moment, carefully and alertly observing our thoughts, actions and desires. Like when you see a snake you become very alert, you have to be like that otherwise transforming and putting your mind into its right place is arduous and difficult.

Secondly, a blind man cannot help a blind man. Think only for yourself when you are putting your mind in order, become selfish so that someday you will be able to help somebody. Remember one step at a time, however difficult it may seem eventually it will fall into its right place. There was no burden before, it was free and it will be again – the writer has overcome the disorder and he is your example.

When you are confused, stop all action. Let yourself explode from inside, just watch it; watching your own thoughts by and by you will understand its nature, its idiosyncrasies. There is no other way to solve this disorder, except by bringing absolute awareness in your daily actions. We have the responsibility as humans to make this earth and people living in it a little more beautiful by cherishing life.

The number of times people use their phones daily has significantly increased due to advancements in technology and changing lifestyles. While mobile phones are essential for communication and productivity, excessive use always leads to negative consequences and it is affecting all of us. It is our responsibility and duty to give all technologies we invent their rightful place and usage. Light the lamp of thy love.