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If you find yourself grabbing your phone multiple times a day to do things other than make phone calls, you may be appdicted – addicted to your apps. The good news is that you’re not alone, plenty of people share in your addiction.
Whether you check Facebook, play games, read emails or monitor your investment portfolio, you may feel compelled to open your apps repeatedly, both day and night. If you prefer apps to chocolate, coffee or water, well that’s a strong sign that you feel the need for apps.
Curious about which apps are the most addictive? This infographic from Topapps.net shows you not only which apps are the most addictive but also gives important information about the nature of app addiction:
In the article, Could You Live with Tech Like It’s 1986?, some readers commented that apps would be the most difficult tech to give up if they had to go back to living as if it were 1986. Many people have become extremely dependent upon apps in their daily lives.
But dependency is different from addiction. While we may depend on navigation, shopping, and informational apps, none of the apps in this infographic would be considered utility apps. The common thread of these apps is games and social networks. The most addictive app, Draw Something!, is one that combines the fun of a game with the allure of social interaction. If the study were conducted today, Candy Crush Saga would probably make the list, if the invitations from my friends are an indication of popularity.
If you enjoy a game and play it once a day, then you’ve discovered a fun distraction. But if you play it repeatedly throughout the day and night, well that’s not a good sign. Parents should also be aware of signs of their children becoming addicted to apps.
Your Thoughts
Were you surprised at any of the top apps? How many of the most addictive apps do you own? Which apps do you find the most addictive? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn
I was surprised at some of the ones shown of top apps.
I’ve played Candy Crush a time or two and it can be addictive when you’re competitive and trying to beat your friends.
I don’t use Facebook as much as I did a couple of years ago. It did seem to become a major time-wasting activity. I log on maybe once or twice a day rather than lots of time a day!
Hi Tim, Yes, I am really afraid to try Candy Crush. I don’t have time for an app addiction now and I have a feeling that one would draw me in.
That’s great that you use Facebook in moderation. You’re right, sometimes when you’re new to a site it can be addictive but then the allure wears off.
Hi Carolyn,
I loved the title of this post….Appdicted – so apt 🙂
Amazing to see that people literally get addicted to these apps…yes, I think a few of them even my kids play, though sometimes. But I think I am a far cry from any of these apps as I rarely play any games and least of all on my mobile! (You know why!). But interesting infographic and I’m going to show it right away to my kids and ask them which ones do they really use.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, my girls loved to play Temple Run for a while. I tried it but didn’t get hooked. Phew!
It would be interesting to see how many of these apps your daughters have and whether they find them to be addictive. If they don’t have these apps, well, I hope these don’t draw your daughters in!
Hi Carolyn,
It shows how times have changed. Cigarettes and alcohol aren’t listed as modern addictions! I suppose many modern addictions are healthier, but mental health problems are more common. I am thinking about a Samsung phone that takes 2 sim cards, it some kind of Duo. I decided against the one with the nice camera. I have 2 cameras. I think the dual sim card will be better, it will be cheaper to buy the phone and cheaper to run it. I imagine, I will get into checking Facebook and Twitter when I’m out on a Sunday. Weekdays, it’s more likely to be the stock market! I really do miss the stock market on weekends! We have political conferences here now and so it’s not doing good with all the bad news. If I had lots of money, it would be a good time to buy!
Hi Mike, Excellent point. You would think that cigarettes and alcohol would be more addictive than coffee and chocolate, but not in this study. I thought it was a bit scary that 85% of the respondents preferred apps to water! Apps can be very handy but you can’t bathe in them!
Why do you need a phone with dual SIM cards? Just curious. The only time that feature held an appeal for me was when I was living in the UK but still had a cell phone plan in the US. It would have been handy to have both SIM cards in one phone, but switching them out wasn’t a big deal. Dual SIM card slots would also be handy when you have a business cell phone plan and a personal one so you don’t have to carry two phones.
To take advantage of dual SIM card slots, you would have to have two cell phone plans. That would mean twice as much money for you, which would leave you less to spend on the phone and invest in the stock market.
The plan is to use the sim card I have on Orange, which is Pay As You Go and the credit lasts me years because I don’t make many calls. But when I do top up the credit I get free internet and texts, so I could do that at Christmas. I’ll also use a Giffgaff sim at certain times of the year to get calls, texts and unlimited internet. I could do that at Christmas or in summer. I can go months without using a phone at all! It would be useful to keep my current number even if I spent more on GiffGaff. I might do that if it was easy to use Skype. I don’t need a mobile phone at home, just when I’m away from my computer and land line. I never waste money!
I have done a photography post on WordPress tomorrow. I have to think of something for a Zillion Ideas and write it in the morning! 🙂
I knew you had a plan, Mike! Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂
Tap the frog is such a funny game. I used to like Candy Crush but it was too time consuming. Facebook is the number one app that I am using everyday. Thanks for sharing this nice infographic Carolyn.
Hi Gordon, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Thanks for sharing your experiences with these apps. I hadn’t heard about Tap the Frog, so it’s helpful to hear from someone who has enjoyed this app.
Enjoy your apps, Gordon! (But not too much 😉 )
Hey Carolyn,
Well 6 of the top 10 apps I’ve never even heard of. I know you’re not surprised. I’ve never played Angry Birds or Scrabble if you can believe that too. Those I’ve at least heard of.
I could totally go back to 1986 with no problem accept the internet. But it’s not for playing at all, only for business. I could do without TV if I had to but it’s my relaxation time late at night to help me wind down from a long day. Reading wouldn’t work for me because I’m trying to wind down, not wind back up! lol…
Interesting infographic and pretty surprising to me although it really shouldn’t be. I do love tech though I will admit and would hate to give it up.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Yes, I know you’re not a gamer so these apps probably aren’t addictive to you. That’s a good thing! Having tech help you instead of addict you is ideal. :-bd
Hello Carolyn,
I have most of the top ten addictive games you mentioned here but seriously, i have never spent much time on those apps. The apps that i just can’t do without are fruit ninja, killer bean, Google+ and whatsapp :). I do love game a lot.
Thanks and do hope you have a brilliant week ahead 🙂
Hi Babanature, Excellent point. What’s addictive to some people holds no interest to others. I’m glad you discovered apps that hold strong appeal to you, Babanature! I’ve heard of all of them but Killer Bean. That sounds scary!
Enjoy your apps and your week. 🙂
These apps will be really valuable for all of us. So I am appreciating with you for sharing these valuable things. Thanks for your sharing.
Hi Jane, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad you like these apps. They certainly are fun!
I wasn’t that surprised really. My kids have been playing Angry Birds for a long time, and my daughter has been using Draw Something too. Social media is no surprise. But to me, I’m more addicted to Omnifocus at the moment, and organizing my projects on my iPhone 🙂
Hi Jens, Wow, it sounds as if you could have created this infographic based on your kids’ favorite apps!
How refreshing that you’re addicted to a utility app. I knew there had to be someone who couldn’t get enough efficiency. Omnifocus has a very strong following, I can see why you are a big fan. 🙂
Hi Carolyn !
I love this infographic as it shares the some very interesting information. Am totally addicted to Andry Birds, Temple Run and Whatsapp and i’ve spent countless hours with these 3 apps. I prefer using Facebook and Twitter on desktop hence, i haven’t tried any of the social networking app on my phone .Draw something , Paper Toss and Scrabble are new to me , i’ll try them out soon . Thanks for sharing the info .
-Pramod
Hi Pramod, Sounds as if you can relate to the addictive appeal of these apps! I’m glad you discovered some new ones too.
Yes, many people like to use their computers to post on social media. But many people use apps to check on social media so they don’t miss any posts. Glad you’re not addicted, Pramod!
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for adding my email to your whitelist.
I believe that infographic can’t be any truer than that, especially about Angry Birds and Temple Run. They are the best time killers today, I suppose. And with so many boring things people have to deal everyday, they are easily irreplaceable.
Hi Setiawan, I do apologize for my spam filter blocking your comment previously. Thanks for letting me know and for returning to comment!
Excellent point. If you’re stuck waiting somewhere with nothing to do but be bored, an addictive app can make the time pass much more quickly. :-bd
Hello,
I am addicted on using the Facebook not all those apps. Today i heard other apps. in your blog. Thanks to you for awaring this addicted apps. I think some professionals are using LinkedIn apps you can check for more.
Hi Oliver, Excellent point. If you’re looking for a new job, LinkedIn might be your most addictive app. I guess it all depends where your interests lie.
Hi Carolyn,
Right Now I am Doing Job Search in Linkedin. I think It is the best Professional Network ever seen in internet.
Hi Oliver, Yes, LinkedIn is a very valuable resource, especially when you’re in the market for a new job!
Hi Carolyn – as you know, I hardly ever use my smartphone, so don’t often use any apps – I don’t have enough hours in the day as it is, so don’t know how I’d cope if I got addicted to something like this!
Hi Sue, You’re absolutely right, you have to either have time or make time for an app addiction. You’re busy enough without having to worry about using apps! 🙂
Hi Carolyn
Angry Birds, Twitter and Facebook is the only apps on the list that I use on a regular basis, but I have been pretty addicted to Angry Birds a while back. Just like yourself, I am really afraid to try Candy Crush too. I can see many of my friends play it a lot 🙂
PS. Have your tried this post in Internet Explorer Carolyn? For some reason it does not really work out.
Hi Thomas, Yes, getting sucked into an app addiction, or appdiction, can take up a lot of time. I’d rather spend the time on this blog than on Candy Crush! You’re not the only one who was addicted to Angry Birds, but Candy Crush certainly seems to be the most addictive one currently.
Thanks for letting me know about Internet Explorer. I will check that out!