Jakarta: From browsing social media to watching videos and chatting with friends, Indonesian university student Tyas Sisianindita spends about eight hours a day on her phone.
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“I realise that I am addicted,” the university student admitted, saying she checks her phone continuously from the time she wakes up, even when she is in classes.
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“At night, when I can’t sleep, I can use my phone for up to five hours.” A group of fellow students at the University of Indonesia, led by inventor Irfan Budi Satria, has spent three months developing a wearable device that can help internet users like Sisianindita cut down on the time they spend flicking at their phones.
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Called “Nettox”, from “internet detox”, the device is worn on the wrist and contains a pulse oximeter sensor that measures haemoglobin oxygen levels and heart rate variability (HRV).
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Studies have found that prolonged mobile phone usage has a specific lowering effect on HRV levels. The Nettox device emits a sound when HRV and blood oxygen levels fall within this range, which reminds the wearer to stop using their phone.
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For people aged between 18 and 25, the HRV should ideally stay above 60, according to the American Psychological Association, Satria said.
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At a recent trial, Sisianindita’s HRV reading was 44.
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Internet addiction is a growing social issue in Indonesia.
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In October, two teenagers were treated for their addiction to internet gaming, media reported.
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“Children must be taught to be more active and take part in extracurricular activities,” said psychologist Kasandra Putranto.
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Satria’s team is working on personalising Nettox and improving its accuracy as HRV readings can vary depending on a person’s body shape, gender and health conditions.
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They aim to apply for a patent for their invention with the university by next year.
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Satria says, though, that Nettox is targeted at those already invested in changing their behaviour.
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“Our goal is to help the health-conscious,” he said. “To help people who want to free themselves from internet addiction.”
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