An Australia-first study has found that 99.2 percent of Aussies have “nomophobia” or the fear of being without their phone. Researchers from BehaviourWorks Australia found in their study that as reliance on the device for everyday activities increases, a new phenomenon is emerging: nomophobia, or no mobile phone phobia. Lead researcher of the study, Ph.D. candidate Fareed Kaviani, said on Jan. 3 that while fear of being without one’s mobile phone was rational given we now rely on them for staying in contact with friends and family, COVIDSafe QR codes, or to pay for shopping and gain access information, they should be used with caution. “Use becomes problematic when the digital takes precedence, to the detriment of the physical,” Kaviani said. “Habits are involuntary, and mindless engagement can continue in physical environments where use is prohibited, like the cinema or library, or even become dangerous, such as using a phone while driving or crossing …