The Most Dystopian Spectacle: A Woman Swims with a Phone in Her Hand (2 photos + 1 video)
A video of a woman at Bondi Icebergs, a popular oceanfront pool in Sydney, has surfaced on social media. While swimming, she was lying on her back, scrolling through her phone. Is this the next level of gadget addiction? 
At first, the Australian woman was scrolling through something, then raised her hand, as if preparing to take a photo or video.
"It's nice to see people simply enjoying the moment, maximizing their screen time, never leaving the internet, and sharing every minute of their lives," the video is sarcastically captioned. 
The footage sparked a wave of outrage.
"From this point on, our species can't be saved," wrote one viewer.
Agreeing: "The most dystopian sight I've ever seen."
"Only in Bondi," added another.
Some were sympathetic to the swimmer, believing she was simply filming her time in a picturesque location.
However, the video only proves the problem of addiction.
According to SEO agency RedSearch, Australians spend more than six hours a day on their phones. Nearly three-quarters of Australians start their day by checking social media, and 80% end the day doing the same.
The University of Queensland conducted a study that found that excessive smartphone use negatively impacts sleep, concentration, and stress levels.
Dr. Eric Lim of the University of New South Wales states: "We are becoming increasingly in demand in the attention economy. But I don't believe that will make us better. Even if we are better informed and more aware of world events, it won't help." It's a vicious cycle. The longer we spend online, the more we crave apps that provide constantly updated content. We become addicted to the dopamine they release."
Lim studied nomophobia—the fear of being without a mobile phone.
"Studies have shown that nomophobia is more common in young people aged 18-24," he said, noting that for young children, smartphones become like parents.
