Increase In Smartphone Usage Research Articles

Parental concerns during COVID-19-related school closures: children’s behaviors and media usage

IntroductionCoronavirus Disease 2019 has prompted widespread school closures and physical distancing measures. Concerns regarding COVID-19 school closures often increase stress levels in parents.ObjectivesThis study examined whether higher levels of parental concerns were associated with children’s problematic behaviors and other factors during COVID-19-related primary school closures.MethodsParticipants were 217 parents who responded to a web-based questionnaire covering parental concerns, subjective stress, and depression; children’s sleep patterns, behavioral problems, and changes in activity level after COVID-19; previously received mental health services; and media usage during the online-only class period from community center in Suwon city.ResultsThe number of parental concerns was associated with children’s behavioral problem index (BPI) score (Pearson correlation 0.211, p < 0.01), sleep problems (0.183, p < 0.01), increased smartphone usage (0.166, p < 0.05), increased TV usage (0.187, p < 0.01), parents’ subjective stress levels (0.168, p < 0.05), and parental depression (0.200, p < 0.01). In families with children who previously received mental health services, the children reportedly suffered from more sleep and behavioral problems but not increased media usage, and parents noted more stress and depression. Parental concerns are related to family factors such as change of caregiver, no available caregiver, decreased household income, and recent adverse life events. Economically vulnerable people also reported higher rates of reported caregiver burden during COVID-19-related primary school closures, thus will require the potential heightened mental health needs.ConclusionsOngoing monitoring of mental health at risky group and multiple support systems should be considered for parents having difficulty in caring their children.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Political campaigning in West Bengal: violence, professionalisation, and communalisation

ABSTRACT This study examines the evolving dynamics of political campaigning in the state of West Bengal in eastern India. West Bengal offers an ideal case to trace the rise of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India and the implications of this development for political campaigning since, until recently, the political culture of the state, profoundly shaped by 34 years of continuous Left rule from 1977 to 2011, had, at least institutionally and organizationally, eschewed open expressions of identity-based politics. Nonetheless, West Bengal now stands at the cusp of a major political transformation with the emergence of the BJP as the main opposition party in the state. Our analysis identifies two crucial ways in which the rise of the BJP has altered the dominant mode of political campaigning in the state since the 2016 state assembly elections. First, the state has witnessed a dramatic professionalization of campaigns, with the BJP being a clear frontrunner on this dimension. Second, political violence, a distinctive aspect of campaigns in the state since independence, has taken a sharp communal turn in the post-2016 period, departing from the partisan violence of elaka dokhol (area domination) that was the hallmark of the pre-2016 period. We argue that both these shifts were facilitated by a rapid increase in smartphone usage for consuming news, with the BJP leveraging the technological shock to streamline its organizational resources, and by extension, to set the tone of campaigns. We note that these trends have been accentuated during the recently concluded 2021 state assembly elections.

A Study on Switching behavior of Smartphone users in India

In recent times smartphone have become an integral part of our day-to-day life. With the dramatic increase in smartphone usage in recent years the switching (existing smartphone users changing their smartphone) pattern of the customers has also changed. This study is an attempt to identify those factors those affect customers while switching from one smartphone to another. Target respondents were from emerging cities like Noida, Gurugram and Agra of diversified backgrounds like students, businessmen, servicemen, homemakers and smartphone retailers. The descriptive statistics and relevant inferential statistics were applied to test the hypotheses and extract the underlying factors affect switching behavior of smartphone users. The result shows that the change in five variables that are disposable income, lifestyle, new technology & features, functional conditions and physical damage have significant influence on switching behavior of smartphone user except one variable that is promotions & discounts that has no significant influence on the switching behavior of smartphones users.

India’s Digital Payment Landscape – An Analysis

Purpose: The Indian payments sector is undergoing far reaching changes, with digital payments capturing a sizable slice of the cake in recent years. The changes began from a fully cash economy to a less-paper-currency system. The Reserve Bank of India and its nodal agencies are working hard to make the digital India goal, a reality. Nearly one billion cards and more than two billion Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) such as online wallets, mobile applications, e-wallets, and digital payment modalities have pushed India into one of the world’s fastest growing and largest digital payment ecosystem. In fact, an exponential increase in internet infrastructure boosted e-commerce. Unified Payment Interface, popularly known as UPI, is regarded as a revolutionary payment solution in the market for facilitating retail digital payments. The main objective of this paper is to identify innovations in India’s digital payment landscape in a phased manner. While doing so, it also analyses the payment facilitating industry by applying PESTEL model to identify political, economic, technological, environmental and legal factors. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study examines India's digital payment landscape in terms of its gradual progress. Using the PESTEL model, it also analyses external factors that contribute to a less cash economy. Secondary sources were used to gather data for the study, which included reports, circulars, rules, and statements made by the Reserve Bank of India and other relevant organisations. Findings/Results: According to the study, India's digital payment segment has seen tremendous success since the implementation of UPI by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016. The government's Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programme enabled the country to achieve financial inclusion of all citizens having access to banking services. Government legislation, regulator intent, social behaviour, increased smartphone usage, lower internet costs, and others significantly impacted the growth of the digital payment industry by ensuring secure, faster, cost-effective, and secure payment solutions. Originality/Value: This study examines the digital payment industry in India using the PESTEL methodology, which allows us to see the industry from all sides. Paper Type: Industry Analysis-based Research Case Study.

Evaluating the Use of QR Codes on Food Products

Today, consumers consider food packaging to be as equally important as a product brand. In addition, the increase in smartphone usage by consumers has led marketers to design new forms of packaging. Among the latest marketing trends, smart packaging with the use of QR Codes is emerging as one of the most promising technologies to enhance the information provided to consumers and influence their buying behavior. This study evaluates the use of a QR Code on bottled milk and more specifically on milk produced by one of the most well-known “boutique” Greek dairy producers. It consists of two phases. In the first one, data was gathered from 537 consumers of the product to capture and analyze their (i) buying behavior, (ii) perception of the product’s package, and (iii) knowledge about the product. In the second phase, a Quick Response (QR) Code was placed on the bottle’s label. Consumers who scanned it were linked to a web page containing information on the product. A total of 308 from the 537 initial respondents scanned the code, accessed the site, and answered the second questionnaire. Similar to the first stage, (i) the consumers’ buying behavior, (ii) their perception of the product’s package, and (iii) their knowledge about the product were examined, following their visit to the above-mentioned website through the QR Code. The objective was to evaluate the use of web applications using enriched text information. The results show that a QR Code on the packaging of food products, which directs consumers to entertaining and enriched content, results in an increased level of usage intention. Moreover, they proved that comprehension and self-confidence are higher with the adoption of the QR Code. In addition, the use of QR Codes enables businesses to provide timely and accurate information and positively influence consumers′ buying behavior.

THE TREND IN YOUNG ADULTS’ SMARTPHONE USAGE BEFORE AND DURING LOCK-DOWN DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The technological realm has become the first go for anything and everything in this fancy world. Especially, when people are seeking different methods and activities to spend their time during this lock-down, Smart Phone is a saviour as staying indoors for a prolonged period of time is definitely challenging for everyone. The present study aimed to explore the trend and difference in smartphone usage behaviour of young adults (18-26 years old) before and during lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic. For this purpose, the sample included 30 Smart Phone users. The non-probability technique of Purposive sampling was used. The data were collected using a secondary data source. The Phone screen usage time was retrieved through users Screen time details separately for two weeks before lockdown and three weeks during the lockdown. The data were analysed using repeated-measures Analysis of Variance. The results of the study revealed that there was an increase in smartphone usage during lockdown when compared to the period before lock-down

Tempo de uso do smartphone e condições de saúde relacionadas em idosos durante a pandemia da covid-19

Abstract Objective To evaluate smartphone usage time and related health conditions in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method This is a cross-sectional study of 237 older people (aged ≥60 years) Brazilians, carried out between June and August 2020. An online form was used to obtain the following variables: socio-economic profile, health status, and smartphone usage. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed using the SPSS program with the outcome of smartphone usage time. Results Of the study individuals, 69.2% (n=164) were females, 48.5% (n=115) complained of cervical pain, 57.4% (n=136) had a cervical disability and remained 6.2 hours a day in the sitting position per week. Approximately 54.4% (n=129) reported increased smartphone usage in the past few months, reporting 4.2 hours of usage/day. Younger senior individuals (p=0.038), who did not practice physical activities (p=0.001), with good health assessment (p=0.009) and who spent more extended periods in the sitting position (p=0.011) spent more time using the device. Conclusion Considering the smartphone usage during the COVID-19 pandemic associated with more extended periods in the sitting position and a sedentary lifestyle, it is worth mentioning its adverse effects on the physical and mental health of older people.

Naturalistic smartphone keyboard typing reflects processing speed and executive function.

ObjectiveThe increase in smartphone usage has enabled the possibility of more accessible ways to conduct neuropsychological evaluations. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using smartphone typing dynamics with mood scores to supplement cognitive assessment through trail making tests.MethodsUsing a custom‐built keyboard, naturalistic keypress dynamics were unobtrusively recorded in individuals with bipolar disorder (n = 11) and nonbipolar controls (n = 8) on an Android smartphone. Keypresses were matched to digital trail making tests part B (dTMT‐B) administered daily in two periods and weekly mood assessments. Following comparison of dTMT‐Bs to the pencil‐and‐paper equivalent, longitudinal mixed‐effects models were used to analyze daily dTMT‐B performance as a function of typing and mood.ResultsComparison of the first dTMT‐B to paper TMT‐B showed adequate reliability (intraclass correlations = 0.74). In our model, we observed that participants who typed slower took longer to complete dTMT‐B (b = 0.189, p < .001). This trend was also seen in individual fluctuations in typing speed and dTMT‐B performance (b = 0.032, p = .004). Moreover, participants who were more depressed completed the dTMT‐B slower than less depressed participants (b = 0.189, p < .001). A practice effect was observed for the dTMT‐Bs.ConclusionTyping speed in combination with depression scores has the potential to infer aspects of cognition (visual attention, processing speed, and task switching) in people's natural environment to complement formal in‐person neuropsychological assessments that commonly include the trail making test.

A smartphone use and its impact on academic performance of medical students: a cross sectional study

Background: Smartphones are unavoidable technology in this modern era. Though there are several advantages with the use of smartphones, there is another school of thought is that due to excessive use of smartphones and addiction behavior the academic performance of the students gets deteriorates. With this in background, this study was conducted to compare the use of smartphones with the student’s academic performances.Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among the undergraduate medical students of Sri Venkateshwara medical college hospital and research institute, Puducherry, a tertiary care teaching hospital during the January 2019 to July 2019. A total of 370 students were included in this study. All were assessed for the demographic profile and questions related to usage of smart phones using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS.Results: Sharing documents, assessing drug information, taking notes and reading journals articles and books was the academic reasons reported by 94.6%, 72.7%, 58.1% and 35.7% of participants, respectively. Among non-academic reasons games, social media and entertainments was recorded in 82.4% 75.4% and 33% of participants, respectively. Mean duration of smart phone usage in a day was 3.5 hours. However, there was no significant difference noted between the academic performance and use of smartphones.Conclusions: Though smartphone use has no significant impact on academic performance of medical students, with the view of steady increase in smartphone usage, there is a necessary for further monitoring, in order to prevent smartphone related complications like addiction.

Star-rating evaluation model for rating the energy-efficiency level of android google play apps

The tremendous increase in smartphone usage is accompanied by an increase in the need for more energy. This preoperational relationship between modern technology and energy generates energy-greedy apps, and therefore power-hungry end users. With many apps falling under the same category in an app store, these apps usually share similar functionality. Because developers follow different design and development schools, each app has its energy-consumption habits. Since apps share similar features, an end-user with limited access to recharging resources would prefer an energy-friendly app rather than a popular energy-greedy app. However, app stores do not indicate the energy behavior of the apps they offer, which causes users to randomly choose apps without understanding their energy-consumption behavior. A review of the relevant literature was provided covering various energy-saving techniques. The results gave an initial impression about the popularity of the usage of two power-saving modes where the average usage of these modes did not exceed 31% among the total 443 Android users. To address this issue, we propose a star-rating evaluation model (SREM), an approach that generates a tentative energy rating label for each app. The model was tested on 7 open-source apps to act as a primary evaluation sample. To that end, SREM adapts current energy-aware refactoring tools to demonstrate the level of energy consumption of an app and presents it in a star-rating schema similar to the Ecolabels used on electrical home appliances. As per our results, SREM helped in saving 35% of smartphone energy.

Effects of smartphone addiction on children's lung function.

With an increase in smartphone usage, constant neck flexion can lead to improper posture, which may impact on lung function. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine and compare the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and lung function between addicted and non-addicted boys and girls aged between 8-13 years who use smartphones for long periods of time. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 24 boys and 26 girls (mean age 10.5±1.6years and body mass index 18.6±3.0kg/m2) . Participants were assigned to two groups based on their scores on the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) for Adolescents: addicted group (score>32, n=32) and non-addicted group (score≤32, n=18). The outcome variables were CVA, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximum inspiratory pressures (PImax), and maximum expiratory pressures (PEmax). There was a significant difference in mean CVA between addicted and non-addicted boys (49.4±6.7 vs 55.5±7.6, η2 =0.9, P=0.03) and girls (47.3±6.3 vs 52.9±6.1, η2 =0.9, P=0.02). Mean FVC, FEV1, and FEV6 were significantly lower in addicted versus non-addicted boys (P=0.04, P=0.05, and P=0.02, respectively). PImax was significantly less in addicted compared to non-addicted girls (55.2±16.4 vs 65.3±13.8, η2 =0.7, P=0.05). Our findings showed that children addicted to smartphones (when using the SAS-SV as an indicator for addiction) revealed lower CVA and lung function results. Therefore, education on proper posture while holding smartphones is essential to the children's postural and lung function status.

A study on smartphone addiction and its effects on sleep quality among nursing students in a municipality town of West Bengal.

Background:Smartphones are now an important gadget for us, but the many are getting addicted to it. Researchers showed that smartphone addiction and late-night usage affects sleep quality. Indian nurses are already facing a heavy burden of depression and present position of nurses is quite insecure. Very few studies were performed over nursing students and that leads to the selection of this topic for my research.Methodology:It was a cross-sectional, observational, and questionnaire-based study, performed over B.Sc. Nursing students of University College of Nursing, WBUHS. The questionnaire has three parts. The first part was for sociodemographic variables, the second part measures the addictive phenomena associated with smartphone overuse using a Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), the last part was intended to measure the sleep quality by using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Collected data was compiled and analyzed with the help of MS-Excel from Microsoft Office Package-2016.Results:Out of 91 students, 46 students were found to be not addicted, while 45 were addicted to smartphone, as measured by SAS. On PSQI, 17.58% students were found to be good sleepers, while 82.42% came out to be poor sleepers. Significant association was found between age and smartphone addiction (p=0.000031) and between daily calls and sleep quality (p=0.025333).Conclusion:It can be finally concluded that increase in smartphone usage is now a serious matter of concern and lower age groups are more susceptible towards it. Broad-spectrum studies involving multiple institutions is needed to reveal the bigger picture

Excessive smartphone use symptoms associated with psychological distress as consequence of early phase COVID-19 restrictions

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been associated to various mental health problems and its consequences such as lock-down and social distancing were linked to various adaptations forms including increased smartphone usage. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms related to smartphone excessive use and to detect smartphone addiction symptoms related to general psychological distress. Participants were (N=260) surveyed during the first two weeks of lockdown measure. Online measures were introduced including sociodemographic background, Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV), and the Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI). Among 260 Moroccan adults, the prevalence of excessive smartphone use was 48.4% (women: 59.6% / men: 40.4%). Withdrawal, preoccupation, simultaneous presence of withdrawal and tolerance, with or without preoccupation, were significantly more observed among female users (p=.019, p=.042, p=.023 and p=.003; respectively). Comparing excessive smartphone users to non-excessive users, GSI and all BSI dimensions, showed higher significant difference in mean scores (r ranging from .15 to .31). SAS-SV total score was positively correlated with general distress (rho=.19, p&lt;.05), depression (rho=.27, p&lt;.01), and paranoid ideation (rho=.20, p&lt;.05) in excessive smartphone users. Smartphone excessive use appears strongly associated with general distress, regardless of the circumstances. The results of this work provide sufficient evidence for the implementation of psychological interventions in general population during possible lock down measures or potential quarantine for potential next pandemic waves.

Increased usage of smartphones during COVID-19: Is that blue light causing skin damage?

Recent reports across the world indicate a tremendous increase in smartphone usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increased use is understandable given the unique international strategies put in place to reduce viral transmission, such as "lockdown" and "work from home". People are keeping themselves busy by browsing the Internet, using social media, watching tele-programs, playing games, chatting with friends and/or family, shopping online, etc With increased usage of smartphones, people are getting increased exposure of blue light. Blue light at various wavelengths and variable duration of exposure can cause oxidative damage to skin cells.

The role of perceived benefits and personality traits on mobile instant messaging users’ responses

Purpose Mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications have grown profusely worldwide in recent years in tandem with increased smartphone usage. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among perceived benefits, personality traits, MIM satisfaction, and social capital responses. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses partial least squares-SEM to investigate proposed hypotheses based on a sample of 1,519 WhatsApp users. Findings The results indicate that perceived benefits of MIM and personality traits have a positive influence on MIM satisfaction; and MIM satisfaction in turn has a positive effect on users’ social capital responses. MIM satisfaction partially mediates the relationships between perceived benefits, traits, and social capital. Additionally, the results indicate positive significant effect of Gen X and Y on social capital among other control variables. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on MIM. The results also provide important implications for MIM application developers and instigate future research in the MIM platform. Originality/value This study is the first attempt in integrating perceived benefits, personality traits, and social capital in MIM literature.

The Utilization of Health-Related Applications in Chronic Disease Self-Management

The dramatic increase in smartphone usage has spurred the development of many health-related mobile applications (apps). On the other hand, population aging and the associated rise in the incidence of chronic disease is increasing the demand for long-term care. Effective chronic disease self-management has been shown to help patients improve their health condition. Numerous smartphone applications currently support patient self-management of chronic disease, facilitating health management and health promotion. The purpose of the present article was to introduce the definition, contents, and types of health-related apps; to discuss the effectiveness of self-management health-related apps in promoting chronic disease management; and to assess and evaluate these apps. We hope that the present article helps give to healthcare professionals and patients who are willing to manage their diseases a general understanding of health-related apps and their potential to facilitate the self-management of chronic diseases.

Plight of Digital Disruption: A Study of Paytm Payment Bank in India

The Oxford English Dictionary defines disruption as a disturbance or problem that interrupts an event, activity, or process. Digital disruption is thus the interruption caused by technological evolution or revolution (an innovative technology that changes the way people or business work.). The world's popular social networks: Facebook (1871), WhatsApp (1000), FB Messenger (1000), QQ (877), Wechat (846), Qzone (632), Instagram (600), Tumbler (550), Twitter (317), Baidu Tieba (300), Snapchat (300), Skype (300) have no. of active users (in Million) as on 2017. India is WhatsApp's largest market with over 160 million users. Hike has about 100 million users worldwide of which 95% are in India. Wechat and QQ chat apps owned by Chinese internet giant Tencent have over 1 billion and 800 million users, respectively. WhatsApp owned by Facebook has moved into digital payments in India. Simpl is launched app that works with multiple retailers including Bookmyshow, Fassos, and Freshmenu. The next leg of growth is in mobile money and reduced cash transactions in the country, because of increased smart phone usage and better adoption of technology.

Security Threats in Software Defined Mobile Clouds (SDMC)

Future Internet comprises of emerging ICT mega-trends (e.g., mobile, social, cloud, and big data) commands new challenges like ubiquitous accessibility, high bandwidth, and dynamic management to meet the data tsunami requirements. In the recent years, the rapid growth of smartphone business is highly evidenced due to its versatile usage irrespective of location, personality or context. Despite of increased smartphone usage, exploiting its full potential becomes very difficult owing to its typical issues such as resource scarcity, mobility and more prominently the security. Software Defined Networking (SDN), an emerging wireless network paradigm can make use of rich mobile cloud functionalities such as traffic management, load balancing, routing, and firewall configuration over physical abstraction of control planes from data planes. Hence SDN leads to a clear roadmap to Software Security control in Mobile Clouds (SDMC). Further it can be extended to a level of Security prevention. To address in this direction, this paper surveys the relevant backgrounds of the existing state-of-art works to come up with all possible SDMC threats and its countermeasures.

Smartphone Applications - Idea sourcing, and app development: Implications for firms

With the dramatic increase in smartphone usage and the consequent increase in applications (apps) for these smartphones, organisations are constantly looking for new apps to offer customers as well as employees. Information Systems (IS) departments of organisations have traditionally been tasked with the acquisition and/or development of such information technologies within organisations. This research aimed to determine from IS managers, the smartphone app usage in firms, the sources of app ideas and the locations for app development. It also investigated various aspects of the success or otherwise of the development process. Results indicate that while most ideas for apps currently come from IS and marketing departments within the organisation, and development of apps is also done mainly within the organisation , these development strategies are not necessarily the most effective. Managerial implications are discussed.

Impact of Global Hyperconnectivity and Increased Smartphone Usage on the Delivery and Structure of IT Organizsation in Transport Logistics

Improved technical IT possibilities in terms of performance, availability, usability, as well as cheaper prices through mass production on a worldwide basis, led to a global, multiconnected, so called ’hyperconnected’ market, of people, goods, ideas and techniques. This situation results in higher demands and a higher customer expectation on a B2B and B2C level and therefore for enhanced logistics challenges especially for Courier, Express &amp; Parcel (CEP) providers worldwide and their respect IT organisations. Within the IT realm of this momentum Smartphones, ’Apps’ and Cloud Computing seem to increase the complexity within logistics IT departments in the first place. From a business point of view the extension of variabilized outsourcing and outtasking of defined parts of the overall value chain could be seen as new influence factors, especially in mature CEP markets. Enterprise Architecture Management (EAM) seems to be one auxiliary to manage this new complexity, by combining the view on the business processes, as well as the technical dimension of the logistics provide