Can technology be addictive? New data shows some surprising trends among students and their smartphones.

A Stanford University survey asked 200 iPhone-owning students to rate their level of addiction to the device. The results: 10% believe they are completely addicted to the phone and 34% admit to at least mild addiction (4 on a 1-10 scale). Only 6% denied any addiction at all – but even a third of those worried it could happen in the future.

Compounding the fixation, some owners tend to treat their phones more like pets, admitting to have patted or named theirs. In fact, 3% said they don’t let anyone else touch it.

However, this iPhone attachment isn’t necessarily bad. Over 70% said their iPhone made them more organized, and 56% said it made them more productive.

Other findings:

• 85% use the phone as their watch
• 89% use it as their alarm
• 75% have fallen asleep with it in their beds, and
• 69% were more likely to forget their wallets than their iPhone when leaving in the morning.

Is iPhone addiction out of hand at your school – or among your faculty? Sound off in the comments section.

Tags: iPhone addiction, Stanford University