A new book illustrates why we should beat phone addiction.

Our phones have become more than just phones. They are watches, alarm clocks, calculators, calendars, cameras, maps, music players, TVs and games consoles. The problem with these do-it-all wonder-devices, though, is that they’ve gone past the point of being useful. We depend upon them. They’re the first thing we reach for in the morning and the last thing we put down at night. Our ears perk up at the sound of their notifications like dogs salivating at the prospect of being fed. This dependence on our personal electronic devices has all manner of repercussions, according to Mr Lee Woodgate, who has just penned a new book on the subject under his alias, Son of Alan.

In Stop Looking At Your Phone, the illustrator presents a tongue-in-cheek guide to the dangers of phone addiction spread over 30 separate topics, from family time and parenting to sightseeing and finding love. While many of the situations depicted in the book will be relatable – seriously, why do so many people film gigs? – others test the limits of credibility. While MR PORTER doubts that heavy phone use is likely to result in the user falling off the edge of a waterfall, allowing a toddler to crawl into the path of an oncoming train or hastening the demise of a beached dolphin, we recognise that we could all do with spending a little less time on our phones. If you feel the same, this book might just be for you.

Ahead of its launch, MR PORTER spoke to Mr Woodgate about his alter ego, Son of Alan, and his relationship with his own phone.

Where did the pseudonym come from? It’s not because your dad’s called Alan, is it?

Yes, my dad’s name is indeed Alan. It’s my middle name, too, joy of joys. Sadly it’s not original, as it was inspired by Benjamin Darvill’s stage name “Son of Dave”. I thought my dad’s name was mundane enough for it to work for me, too.

What are the differences between the work you create as Son of Alan and the work you create as Lee Woodgate?

The Lee Woodgate work is digital collage based and fairly conceptual with little humour. The Son of Alan stuff allows me to cut loose.

Stylistically, where do you get your inspiration?

Airline safety cards are a big inspiration. I’m influenced by some of the more ridiculous-looking ones from the 1970s rather than the modern, computer-generated ones.

What do you think of the modern relationship between man and phone? Does it worry you? Annoy you? Do you find it absurd?

All of the above. I’m guilty of looking at my phone too much, too, and am pretty disgusted with myself on a regular basis.

Have you taken steps to use your phone less?

I actually deleted all of my social media a few months back and I don’t miss it at all. I probably check my phone a lot less now because of this.

What’s the one app or game that you can’t stop using?

Strava. It’s a social media platform where smug runners and bike riders show off how great they are. I’m on that a bit too much.

Some of the scenarios in your new book are absurd, while there are others that everyone will recognise. What’s the underlying message?

I think the message is to stop, put your phone down for a second, take a look at yourself and everyone else, and just appreciate how ridiculous this all is. Barring a smartphone-induced collapse of civilisation, hopefully we can scrape through and look back on this short era and laugh at ourselves.

Who is the target audience?

Everyone who owns a smartphone. I don’t think anyone is immune to the pull of that little metal box.

Stop Looking At Your Phone (Ebury Press) by Son Of Alan is out now