Smartphone Addiction Research Articles

The effect of neuroticism on mobile phone addiction among undergraduate nursing students: a moderated mediation model.

Mobile phone addiction (MPA) has numerous deleterious effects on college students, including depression, anxiety, cognitive impairments, and sleep disorders. Undergraduate nursing students play a crucial role as a significant reserve workforce in clinical nursing practice, and their compromised mental health status significantly influences the quality of nursing work and nurse-patient relationships in the future. This study aims to investigate the associations between neuroticism and MPA among undergraduate nursing students, the mediating effect of self-control and the moderating effect of psychological capital. A total of 900 undergraduate nursing students participated in the survey, wherein the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Form Scale China Version-Neuroticism Subscale (EPQ-RSC-N), Self-Control Scale (SCS), Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PPQ), and Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale (MPATS) were employed for assessment. To analyze the available data, various statistical methods were utilized, including common method bias test examination, descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, Pearson's correlation analyses, as well as the Hayes' PROCESS Macro models 4 and 14. (1) The prevalence of MPA in this study was found to be 34.89%. (2) The MPA was positively correlated with neuroticism (r = 0.287, p < 0.001), and was negatively correlated with self-control (r = -0.467, p < 0.001) and psychological capital (r = -0.260, p < 0.001). (3) Self-control played a partially mediating role in the association between neuroticism and MPA, with an effect size of 0.151, accounting for 52.98% of the total effect. (4) Psychological capital played a moderating role in the association between self-control and MPA. More specifically, with an increase in the level of psychological capital increases, the predictive effect of self-control on MPA gradually strengthens (β = -0.072, SE = 0.019, t = -3.708, p < 0.001). The prevalence of MPA was relatively high among undergraduate nursing students, with neuroticism exerting a direct influence on it. Self-control served as a mediating factor that could partially alleviate MPA associated with neuroticism. Psychological capital has the ability to regulate the relationship between self-control and MPA. Therefore, enhancing self-control capabilities and cultivating psychological capital levels can effectively manage MPA among undergraduate nursing students.

Psychometric Properties of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) Among Students at Jeddah University, KSA

Objectives: The current study examines the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) to verify its adequacy for the Saudi environment. The study identifies gender differences in smartphone addiction at Jeddah University and highlights a variety of smartphone-based activities. Methods: The sample consists of (272) male and female students at Jeddah University, and it is divided into )152( female students and )120( male students, respectively representing 55.9% and 44.1%. Their ages range from 19 to 23 years old with an average age of 21.66 and a standard deviation of 1.732. The tools include a basic data collection form and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) by Kwon et al., 2013a. Results: The study shows that the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) has good psychometric properties, reflecting its validity and reliability in the Saudi environment. Moreover, the study reveals that there are significant differences between male and female university students in smartphone addiction at 0.001, favoring male students. That is, male students suffer more from smartphone addiction than female students. In addition, the study shows that there are diverse smartphone-based activities among students. Conclusion: Based on the results, the study recommends offering counseling programs, lectures, and seminars to raise awareness of the negative effects of using smartphones and to help university students (especially males) to get rid of this behavioral addiction.

Patterns matter? A cross-sectional study on social and usage patterns of smartphone internet service and self-perceived addiction in Taiwan

ABSTRACT The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the level of smartphone online usage patterns and self-perceived addiction in Taiwan. In this study, we argued that differential frequency of online usage patterns gave rise to significant differences between two groups of users in terms of their perception of smartphone addiction. Based on a sample of 1,012 smartphone users aged 12 or above in the nationwide survey of Taiwan’s National Development Council in 2018, we examined the relations between background characteristics, internet-related factors and 10 types of smartphone online usage patterns. The results of multiple logistic regression indicated that social media use can predict the self-perception of smartphone online addiction. Differences between participants of different education levels, age groups and gender in binary smartphone addiction variables were also revealed.

SMARTPHONE ADDICTION AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: DO SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-CONTROL PLAY ROLE?

Smartphone addiction has increasingly emerged as a significant concern among college students. This study aims to investigate the impact of self-esteem and self-control on smartphone addiction within this demographic. Adopting a survey design with a correlational approach, the study involved 130 students selected using convenience sampling. The researchers employed the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Self-Control Scale for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the variables, followed by hypothesis testing through simple and multiple regression analyses. The results indicate that both self-esteem and self-control negatively affect smartphone addiction, both independently and collectively. Specifically, higher levels of self-esteem and self-control are associated with lower levels of smartphone addiction among participants. This study provides a novel contribution by examining the combined effects of self-esteem and self-control, offering new insights into the roles of these psychological factors in predicting smartphone addiction among Indonesian university students. These findings have significant implications for addressing smartphone addiction through interventions that enhance self-esteem and self-control.

The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Smartphone Addiction in Adolescents and Parental Neglect During the Pandemic

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between social media and smartphone addiction in adolescents and their parents’ neglectful behaviors in the pandemic. The main problem of the research is to examine whether the increasing socialization and intimacy needs of adolescents during the pandemic period are an important factor in the emergence of social media and smartphone addiction due to their parents' inability to adequately meet these needs and neglecting their children, especially in terms of supervision. The study group consisted of 280 adolescents aged between 11-14 attending secondary schools in the city center of Ankara, Türkiye and their parents. In terms of the data gathering instruments, an Individual Information Form was administered to both the children and parents for the purpose of gathering socio-demographic data. In addition, adolescents were administered Smartphone Addiction Scale for the purpose of assessing their smartphone addiction levels along with Social Media Addiction Scale for the purpose of assessing their social media addiction levels. On the other hand, the Multidimensional Neglectful Behaviors Scale was administered to the parents in order to assess the level of their neglectful behaviors. As a result, 86.5% (n=218) of adolescents stated that their smartphone use and 78.5% (n=204) stated that their social media use increased during the pandemic period. When the smart phone and social media addiction status of adolescents were compared according to the level of neglect by their parents, it was determined that the neglect scores of adolescents with addiction level-smart phone and -social media use were significantly higher. In addition, it was found that parental neglect levels were positively associated with both smart phone addiction and social media addiction in adolescents, and there was a positive relationship between smart phone addiction and social media addiction in adolescents. The findings were discussed in line with the related literature.

The mediating effect of rumination and fear of missing out between mobile phone addiction and sleep quality among college students

The impact of mobile phone addiction (MPA) on college students’ sleep quality (SQ) has received increasing attention in recent years. On this basis, the mediating roles of rumination and FOMO (fear of missing out) on MPA and SQ were examined in this study. In a cross-sectional study, preliminary data were gathered via questionnaires from 1401 college students (19.35 ± 0.81) from 5 universities in Jiangxi Province, China. Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale, Rumination Response Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale and Sleep Quality Scale were employed in the research. The mediation model was tested using SPSS 26.0, with FOMO and rumination acting as the mediating variables. Between MPA and SQ, rumination and FOMO each had their own unique mediation effect. Furthermore, rumination and FOMO function as a chain of mediators between college students’ MPA and SQ. This study provided confirmation and clarification that in college students, the association between MPA and SQ was mediated by rumination and FOMO. This study improves our understanding of MPA, SQ and how MPA may affect SQ in college students. It also shows that the impact of MPA and SQ of college students should be given more consideration by educators, parents, and college students themselves.

Psychometric evaluation and measurement invariance of the problematic smartphone use scale among college students: A national survey of 130 145 participants.

Given the insufficient validation of previously imported smartphone addiction scales in China, this study revised and evaluated the Problematic Smartphone Use Scale among Chinese college students (PSUS-C). We based our research on a national sample comprising 1324 higher education institutions and 130 145 participants. Using cross-sectional data, comprehensive methods were employed to examine validity, reliability and measurement invariance. The final scale consists of 20 items across four dimensions: withdrawal and loss of control, negative impact, salience behaviors and excessive use. All Heterotrait-Monotrait (HTMT) values were below 0.85, and the lower 90% and upper 95% confidence intervals were also below 0.85, except for factors 1 and 3. The amount of variance (AVE) values were greater than 0.5, composite reliability (ω) values exceeded 0.89 and all factor loadings were above 0.5. The criterion validity was supported as expected: problematic smartphone usage positively correlated with depression (r = 0.451), loneliness (8 items, r = 0.455), loneliness (6 items, r = 0.504), social media use (r = 0.614) and phone usage duration (r = 0.148); and negatively correlated with life satisfaction (r = -0.218) and self-esteem (r = -0.416). Across sex, type of university and place of residence, the measurement invariance performed well, with most changes in root mean square error of approximation (ΔRMSEA), comparative fit index (ΔCFI) and Tucker-Lewis index (ΔTLI) values being less than 0.005, and no indicator showing a difference greater than 0.010. The Problematic Smartphone Use Scale for College Students (PSUS-C) demonstrated good factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, discriminant validity and criterion validity. Strict and structural invariance were demonstrated across sex, type of university and place of residence. The PSUS-C has the potential to assess smartphone addiction among Chinese university students.

Treatment strategies for smartphone addiction: efficacy study of transcranial direct current stimulation and exergaming

ObjectiveSmartphone addiction is on the rise globally. This study aimed to compare the rehabilitative effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and exergames on smartphone addiction among college students. Additionally, we discussed the central mechanisms through changes in electroencephalography (EEG) to provide clinical insights.MethodsThirty-six participants were randomly assigned to three groups: control group, tDCS group (bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation), and exergame group. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks with twice-weekly sessions. Outcome measures included the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Chinese Version (SAS-C), Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) net scores, and event-related potential (ERP) data collected during the IGT, focusing on P300 and feedback-related negativity (FRN) amplitudes.ResultsAll groups showed significant reductions in SAS-C scores post-intervention. Behaviorally, post-intervention scores improved, indicating significant effects of different interventions on participants’ strategy choices. P300 amplitudes increased significantly at outcome electrode sites for all groups, with the most notable increase in tDCS group FC2 and CP1. FRN amplitudes decreased significantly post-intervention in the control and tDCS groups, with significant differences between the two groups.ConclusionAll three interventions appeared to have alleviating effect on smartphone addiction. After 4 weeks, participants showed improved executive control and decision-making abilities. Specifically, significant effects were observed in the tDCS group, with increased P300 amplitudes in the frontal, parietal, and central regions, as well as FRN amplitudes in the central and frontal regions. This suggested that tDCS enhanced psychological resources and improved inhibition control capabilities.

Determinants of Mobile Phone Usage Among Young Adults in Zanzibar

Mobile phones have become a ubiquitous communication tool, particularly among young adults. What was once a simple technological device has now transformed into a social tool, deeply embedded in the daily lives of these individuals. This paper explores mobile phone usage among young adults in Zanzibar from behavioral, economic, and psychological perspectives. Data was collected from 375 participants, consisting of Zanzibar youth aged 16 to 40, residing in both rural and urban areas, through semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that young adults utilize mobile phones for various purposes, including communication with family and friends, browsing the internet, consuming media, and playing games. The study also delved into the extent of mobile phone dependency, as well as the positive and negative attitudes surrounding its use. It was found that many young adults spend excessive time and money on mobile phones, sometimes prioritizing airtime and data bundles over basic necessities. The paper concludes with recommendations aimed at fostering balanced mobile phone usage among the younger generation

The relationship between loneliness and psychological distress among Chinese college students: the mediating role of mobile phone addiction and the moderating role of core self-evaluation

ABSTRACT Previous studies showed that loneliness and psychological distress are related. However, the potential mechanisms involved in this relationship are unknown. This study examined the mediating effect of mobile phone addiction and the moderating effect of core self-evaluation on the relationship between mobile phone addiction and psychological distress. A total of 826 college students were recruited. A cross-sectional study design and an online questionnaire survey were employed to measure loneliness, mobile phone addiction, core self-evaluation, and psychological distress in college students, and used the PROCESS macro program to conduct moderated mediation analysis. Loneliness was significantly and positively associated with psychological distress, mobile phone addiction partially mediated the relation between Loneliness and college students’ psychological distress and this indirect path was moderated by core self-evaluations. Specifically, the effect of mobile phone addiction on psychological distress was stronger for college students with lower core self-evaluations than for those with higher core self-evaluations. The results are helpful to comprehend the producing mechanism of psychological distress and provide a theoretical basis for the intervention of psychological distress.

Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form in a sample of Italian adolescents.

The primary objective of the present study is to validate the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF) in a sample of Italian adolescents. Additionally, we aim to evaluate its factorial structure by examining the contribution of each subscale (i.e., Nonacceptance, Clarity, Awareness, Goals, Impulse, Strategy) on the general factor using bi-factor models by replicating a past study. The sample comprises N = 704 adolescents aged 11-17 years (M = 13.38, SD = 1.37; 53.12% females). To establish external validity, correlation and path analyses were conducted between the DERS-SF sub-scales, the total score, and measures of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, as well as Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU). Measurement invariance was tested comparing males versus females and pre-adolescents and adolescents. Overall, results supported the multidimensional nature of the DERS-SF, confirming its original six-factor structure. However, bi-factor models analysis revealed that the Awareness subscale should be excluded when calculating the total score. Furthermore, findings indicated that the Strategy subscale variance is largely accounted for by the general factor rather than the specific subscale. In terms of external validity, significant positive associations between the DERS-SF sub-scales, the total score, and PSU, internalizing and externalizing symptoms were observed. Measurement invariance was supported. Altogether, findings support the validity of the DERS-SF among Italian Adolescents and provide insights relevant to the understanding of the multifaceted facets of emotion regulation, emphasizing its relevance as a transdiagnostic process.

Social Aspects of Problematic Smartphone Use: Development and Validation of the PSSNUS and Mental Health Implications for Spanish Youth

Social Aspects of Problematic Smartphone Use: Development and Validation of the PSSNUS and Mental Health Implications for Spanish Youth

Smartphone Application‐Based Addiction Scale: Psychometric Evidence Across Nine Asian Regions Using Advanced Analytic Methods

ABSTRACTIntroductionA smartphone is a device with various functions, including wifi, application functions, mobile networks, ease of mobility, and the capability of using mobile data. Because of the aforementioned functions, people may use smartphones frequently. The Smartphone Application‐Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) is a six‐item questionnaire assessing smartphone addiction with promising psychometric properties. However, it is unclear if the SABAS possesses the strong psychometric properties across Asian regions. The present study aimed to examine the factor structure of the SABAS across nine Asian regions.MethodsUsing datasets collected from Asian regions of Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, data from 10,397 participants (mean age = 22.40 years; 44.8% men) were used for analyses. All participants completed the SABAS using an online survey or paper‐and‐pencil mode.ResultsFindings from confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch analysis, and network analysis all indicate a one‐factor structure for the SABAS. Moreover, the one‐factor structure of the SABAS was measurement invariant across age (21 years or less vs. above 21 years) and gender (men vs. women) in metric, scalar, and strict invariance. The one‐factor structure was invariant across regions in metric but not scalar or strict invariance.ConclusionThe present study findings showed that the SABAS possesses a one‐factor structure across nine Asian regions; however, noninvariant findings in scalar and strict levels indicate that people in the nine Asian regions may interpret the importance of each SABAS item differently. Age group and gender group comparisons are comparable because of the invariance evidence for the SABAS found in the present study. However, cautions should be made when comparing SABAS scores across Asian regions.

Smartphone addiction, depression, distress, eustress, loneliness, and sleep deprivation in adolescents: a latent profile and network analysis approach

BackgroundPrevious research on adolescent smartphone addiction has tended to focus on general populations that are assumed to be homogeneous, overlooking latent profiles. Furthermore, previous research has not focused on potentially important differences in the latent profiles of adolescent smartphone addiction in networks. The present study aimed to reveal the latent profiles of smartphone addiction, depression, stress, eustress, loneliness, and sleep deprivation in adolescents, and general and latent profiles were examined in the network.MethodsThe study group consisted of 436 (222 boys and 214 girls) adolescents, aged between 13 and 18 years. The findings of the present study were provided using Pearson correlation, ANOVA, latent profile analysis and network analysis. The data were analyzed using SPSS, JASP, and Mplus.ResultsThe results of the study showed solutions with three latent profiles. The non-addicted group constituted 20.87%, the addicted group covered 29.82% and the risky group included 49.31% of the study group. Although the general profile and the addicted latent group had similar characteristics, the differences in the risky and non-addicted groups contributed to the current literature by providing a further and remarkable perspective on smartphone addiction, depression, distress, eustress, loneliness, and sleep deprivation in adolescents.ConclusionsThe theoretical and practical implications of the present results will provide contributions to researchers and practitioners in understanding smartphone addiction.

Peran Kecanduan Smartphone dan Stres Akademik Terhadap Kualitas Tidur pada Mahasiswa

Sleep is a fundamental necessity that must be met by every individual, including students. Poor sleep patterns among students can have significant impacts on both their physical and psychological well-being. Therefore, students must pay attention to their sleep habits to ensure they achieve high-quality rest. Quality sleep refers to a state in which a person experiences restful and restorative sleep, leaving them feeling refreshed and energized upon waking. Factors such as smartphone addiction and academic stress have been shown to affect sleep quality. This study aims to examine the influence of smartphone addiction and academic stress on sleep quality among students at a university in Pekanbaru. The study's participants consisted of 250 students aged between 17 and 24 years, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using scales that measured sleep quality, smartphone addiction, and academic stress, and were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results indicated that both smartphone addiction and academic stress significantly impacted sleep quality (R=0.521; R2=0.271; F=45.92; p&lt;0.01). Achieving good sleep quality is more feasible when smartphone usage is kept in moderation and emotional regulation is well-managed.

Analyzing User Reviews on Digital Detox Apps: A Text Mining and Sentiment Analysis Approach

ABSTRACTDue to the growing concerns around problematic smartphone use and its negative impact, there is a rising interest in digital detox. While many digital detox apps have been developed in recent years, there is still limited understanding of the long‐term effectiveness of digital detox applications and the attitude of people towards these apps. This study fills this gap by identifying the topics that people post in their reviews on the Google Play Store about digital detox apps and the emotion‐based sentiment of those reviews. A total of 3500 reviews of 25 digital detox apps were collected from the Google Play Store using a scraping tool called “Parsehub.” Data was analyzed using R studio. Sentiment analysis results suggest that positive sentiments dominated the data frame. “Trust” and “anticipation” were the two most expressed emotions in the reviews. Regression analysis confirmed that sentiment scores could explain the ratings of the apps. Through LDA topic modeling four major topics of the reviews were identified and are discussed in detail in the later section of the research paper. The findings of this study may help app developers and marketers improve digital detox apps so that people can learn and practice mindful smartphone use with the help of these apps. This study fills a gap in digital detox research by adopting a new methodological approach and procedure since it combines text mining, sentiment analysis (NRC Lexicon using Syuzhet package), regression analysis, and LDA topic modeling. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which uses this research approach in the context of digital detox apps.

The Effect of Nomophobıa on Anxıety and Qualıty of Lıfe in Physıotherapy and Rehabılıtatıon Department Students

Objective. While smartphones provide convenience to individuals, they also cause many problems. One of these problems is smartphone addiction, known as nomophobia. The aim of our study is to investigate the impact of nomophobia on anxiety and quality of life among students in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.. Methods. The study included 211 students enrolled at Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Participants completed a data collection form to provide their demographic characteristics. They also completed the Turkish Nomophobia Scale to assess nomophobia levels, the Beck Anxiety Scale to evaluate anxiety levels, and the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale to measure their quality of life levels. Results. In our study, the nomophobia scale score was found to be 77.28. The distribution of the nomophobia scale according to the cut-off points is 30% mild, 45% moderate, and 25% extreme. We identified a statistically significant relationship between nomophobia and anxiety (p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, there was a statistically significant association between nomophobia and quality of life parameters, excluding vitality/energy, mental health, and social functioning (p &lt; 0.05). However, no statistically significant relationship was found between anxiety and quality of life. Conclusion. The anxiety levels of nomophobic individuals increase in parallel with their nomophobia, leading to a decrease in their quality of life. Necessary information should be provided and awareness should be raised in order to prevent nomophobia, which is especially common in the young population.

What makes Chinese adolescents glued to their smartphones? Using network analysis and three-wave longitudinal analysis to assess how adverse childhood experiences influence smartphone addiction

Research has identified a robust connection between adverse childhood experiences and smartphone addiction. However, few studies have explored the close links between various smartphone application addictions and their co-occurrence. To bridge this gap, the current study used one pilot study and two formal studies to explore the co-occurrence of different smartphone application addictions, as well as their potential risk factors and internal mechanisms. In the pilot study (N = 118), adolescents with smartphone addictions were interviewed to determine their regularly-used applications and content type. In Study 1 (N = 1962), network analysis was used to assess six application preferences within the broader umbrella of smartphone addiction, and the potential relationship effect between adverse childhood experiences and smartphone addiction. In Study 2 (N = 835), the causal relationship was further verified through a longitudinal study which also found that alexithymia and social sensitivity played mediating roles in smartphone application addition. The application addiction with the highest centrality was for short videos, followed by games and then social media applications. In addition, a range of social experiences associated with violence (e.g., neglect and bullying) were found to be key determinants of smartphone addiction, in that these experiences hinder adolescents' socialization by increasing their alexithymia and social sensitivity, leading them to become glued to their smartphones. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of how adverse childhood experiences increase adolescents’ risk of smartphone addiction, while also providing new insights into the co-occurrence of addictions to various common smartphone applications.

Teachers’ Perspectives Toward Smartphone Usage by Students and Resulting Classroom Policies

Currently, 95% of American teenagers own a smartphone device, and smartphone users spend on average about 5.4 hours a day on them. Smartphone ownership, usage, and dependency are higher among teens and young adults than in any other age group. This study addressed a gap in research by examining high school teachers’ perspectives on two topics: the impact of smartphone usage on students and classroom smartphone policies. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the social, psychological, and academic effects of smartphone use on students and of the impact of teachers’ beliefs surrounding smartphones on the classroom policies they set regarding those devices. In addition, this study aimed to shed light on the need to create effective and equitable smartphone policies and practices to help promote a classroom environment conducive to learning. Survey data from 248 teachers from six high schools in the Southern California region of the United States of America produced results indicating that teachers who have stronger negative beliefs concerning the social, psychological and academic effects of smartphones on students typically set a stricter classroom smartphone policy. Implications include helping students regulate their smartphone usage so that these devices can be effective tools for learning, not a distraction. Based on the findings from this study, an increase in face-to-face social interactions among students is recommended to increase academic achievement and decrease problematic smartphone use.

The relationship between perceived parental phubbing and smartphone addiction in adolescents

Abstract Background Parental phubbing refers to the degree to which parents reduce or ignore their interactions with their children while taking care of their smartphones. Today, it has become important to conduct studies to understand the effects of parental phubbing on adolescents, which is increasing globally. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between perceived parental phubbing and smartphone addiction as well as depression in adolescents. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 314 adolescents aged 10-18 years who applied to the general pediatrics outpatient clinics of a university hospital in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, were included. The questionnaire form used for data collection consisted of questions about the sociodemographic information of the participants, ‘Perceived Parental Phubbing Scale’, ‘Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale Short Form’, and ‘Smartphone Addiction Short Form for Adolescents’ items. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis H test and Spearman correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. A value of p &amp;lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Depression and smartphone addiction levels were found to be significantly lower in adolescents who did not smoke, engaged in regular physical activity and had a close group of friends (p &amp;lt; 0.05). It was also found that the level of perceived parental phubbing was significantly higher in adolescents whose parents’ education level was above high school and who felt lonely (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Low level positive correlations was found between perceived parental phubbing and both depression (r = 0.116, p = 0.041) and smartphone addiction (r = 0.128, p = 0.023). Conclusions As the level of parental phubbing perceived by adolescents increased, the levels of depression and smartphone addiction in adolescents increased. These negative effects of parental phubbing on adolescents should be taken into consideration by mental health professionals. Key messages • It is important to consider and question parental phubbing as one of the related factors in adolescents with high levels of smartphone addiction and depression. • There is a need for studies to increase the awareness of parents, who are important role models for adolescents, about the concept of phubbing and its effects on adolescents’ mental health.