Not only does your smartphone become a dangerous germ nest, using your phone in the toilet also wastes a lot of time and makes you more "addicted".

The results of a survey in the UK show that the average British person spends more than 3 hours a week sitting on the toilet. This number far exceeds the recommended 10-15 minutes a day, which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes a week. Mobile phones are the main cause of this. About 75% of Americans also admit to using their phones while going to the toilet.

However, there are 6 reasons why you should not sit in the toilet for more than 15 minutes.

- The phone will become a "playground" for germs

The phone can easily become an intermediary for harmful germs and bacteria in the toilet. They "take" germs from where you put the phone, then transfer them to your hands, spreading to your private areas. Or your phone can pick up germs from any surface in the bathroom while you're washing your hands or flushing the toilet.

Studies have shown that phones are one of the main carriers of the superbug MRSA (antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus). This means that a random patient could get sick from their phone.

- You could get hemorrhoids and rectal problems

According to doctors, sitting on the toilet for less than 15 minutes is normal. However, spending more time than that can put unnecessary pressure on the rectum. Hemorrhoids are one of the serious symptoms of sitting on the toilet for a long time, followed by rectal prolapse.

- You can't really relax

Watching your phone will not only put your brain in stress mode, it will also distract you from other activities. If you want to really relax your body, try to relax when you go to the toilet. By activating your body, you'll also be activating your brain.

- You're more likely to see toilet time as a way to "escape"

A 2016 study found that many of those who use their phones in the toilet use it as a way to hide negative emotions. The same study also found that college students use their phones to combat boredom. Therefore, constant use of our phones as a coping strategy can have serious impacts on our own mental health.

On the bright side of the research, phones actually help some people cope with stressful situations. Research from the University of Cambridge and a recent study from the University of Southern California have also shown that being away from your phone can cause feelings of extreme stress for many Millennials.

- You're wasting your time

According to a study by the University of Florida, Michigan State University, and the University of Washington, we all spend an average of 90 minutes a day scrolling through our phones, which is about 3.9 years of our lives. This means that our phones can distract us from our work and daily activities. According to the study, employees waste about 5 hours a week on non-work-related minutes.

- You're becoming an 'ad.dict'

One of the three main symptoms of phone addiction is anxiety about leaving the house without your phone. The other two include the fear that you won't be able to send or receive messages. While scientists don't often use the word "addiction" for this situation, the fact that these signs are present suggests that phone addiction is real.

Most addictions are related to the release of the hormone dopamine. Phone addiction provides a similar experience, as users feel happy every time they interact with someone. The negative consequences of excessive phone use include low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression.