Smartphone Habits Research Articles

Determining the Influence of Digital Literacy on Learning Personal Competence: The Moderating Role of Fear of Missing Out

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:9.0pt">One of the ways to enhance and improve the quality of learning delivery is through the use of technology, particularly the Internet, which facilitates faster and easier access to information. This research aims to explore the degree to which factors such as digital literacy, metacognitive awareness, meaningful learning, habits of using smartphones, and personal learning competence are related to one another. Both the relationship between metacognitive awareness and personal learning competence, as well as the relationship between smartphone habits and personal learning competence, are moderated by a moderating variable known as the fear of missing out. Fear of missing out is a moderating variable. Structural equation modeling, specifically partial least squares, was employed to analyze data from 597 engineering students. SmartPLS version 4 was the tool used for this analysis. The study found that the moderating variable, fear of missing out, significantly impacts metacognitive awareness, learning personal competence, and smartphone habits, making it a crucial factor to investigate. This result is significant because it is a variable that influences the learning that students go through for their education and because it is an extremely important thing to investigate.</span></p>

Exploring Students’ Smartphone Habits in A Project-Based Online Speaking Class

Exploring Students’ Smartphone Habits in A Project-Based Online Speaking Class

Assessing the Impact of Smartphone Use on Neck Pain and Related Symptoms Among Residents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The widespread adoption of smartphones has transformed global communication but raised health concerns like Text Neck Syndrome - a musculoskeletal condition arising from prolonged device use, causing discomfort in the cervical spine. This study investigates its prevalence and associated factors among smartphone users in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, focusing on usage patterns, symptoms, and awareness. This cross-sectional online surveywas conducted from June 1 to June 30, 2024. Data on demographics, smartphone habits, symptoms, and Text Neck Syndrome awareness were collected using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The study included 421 participants, predominantly female (279, 66.3%) and Saudi nationals (397, 94.3%). The largest age group was 21-40 years (308, 73.2%), and most were single (251, 59.6%) with a college degree (236, 56.1%). Over 42.0% of participants used smartphones for more than five hours daily, with 39.4% adopting a 30-degree neck posture. The most prevalent symptoms reported were neck pain (272, 64.6%), headaches (203, 48.2%), and shoulder pain (178, 42.3%). Awareness of Text Neck Syndrome was reported by 197 participants (46.8%), but only 60 (14.3%) had been diagnosed. Concerns about long-term complications such as osteoporosis (105, 24.9%) and prolapsed intervertebral disc (120, 28.5%) were expressed. Despite these concerns, 97.9% of participants hesitated to reduce smartphone usage due to reported symptoms. This study highlights the significant musculoskeletal impact of smartphone use in Jeddah, underscoring the need for interventions promoting ergonomic practices and increasing awareness about associated risks. Public health strategies should focus on promoting ergonomic practices and educating users about preventive measures.

NAVIGATING THE DIGITAL ABYSS: EXPLORING THE NEXUS BETWEEN LONELINESS, AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, AND SMARTPHONE ADDICTION AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Smartphone addiction has become a growing concern, potentially linked to negative outcomes in adolescents. This study aimed to analyze the influence of loneliness and aggressive behavior on smartphone habits among teenagers. Employing a quantitative approach, the research utilized a correlational design with a sample of 87 students. The study instruments included validated and reliable scales for measuring loneliness, aggressive behavior, and smartphone addiction. Data analysis involved multiple aggression analysis. The results revealed a significant association between both loneliness and aggressive behavior with smartphone use. This suggests that adolescents experiencing loneliness or exhibiting aggressive tendencies might engage in more frequent or problematic smartphone use. Building upon these findings, future research could delve deeper into the potential of digital education and media literacy programs to support healthy smartphone habits and reduce excessive use among adolescents. Additionally, investigating the impact of such programs on the development of guidance and counseling services for university students could be valuable.

The Impact of Smartphones on the Academic Performance of University Students

Smartphones have become an important medium of connection and information. It is frequently used for social and academic purposes. This study examines the intricate relationship between smartphone usage patterns and academic performance among university students. Data was collected from 300 participants with the help of a Google survey form. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), factor analysis, and logistic regression were used for the analysis of data. The findings revealed that the majority of students spend 1-3 hours daily on their smartphones with social media emerging as the primary purpose for usage. Despite prevalent smart phone usages, students reported relatively high cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs), indicating positive academic achievement levels. However, the analysis also uncovered that smartphone usages, brings distractions while studying. Logistic regression analysis identified the significant predictors of CGPA, highlighting the importance of managing smartphone habits effectively. Multi-dimensional scaling (MDs) and factor analysis provided insights into the clustering of factors related to smartphone usage and academic performance. Overall, these findings underscore the need for targeted intervention to promote responsible smartphone usage habits and support academic success among university students.

Smartphone Addiction and Non Suicidal Self-injury among Undergraduate Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-sectional Study from Southern India

Introduction: Non Suicidal Self-injury (NSSI) and mobile phone addiction have recently garnered considerable attention, especially among adolescents and young adults. There is significant neglect regarding the impact of each phenomenon on the daily functioning of individuals; however, few studies have explored their correlation, leaving a gap in understanding the relationship between these two phenomena. Aim: To determine the level of smartphone addiction and NSSI behaviours among undergraduate healthcare professionals and to examine the extent of smartphones’ influence on the emotional stability of young adults, potentially leading to selfinjurious behaviour. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at ACS Medical College and Allied Health Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India over five months, involving 448 undergraduate healthcare professionals. After applying exclusion criteria, 367 participants were included in the study. Socio-demographic details were collected using a semistructured proforma. The questionnaire included the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and the Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury (ISAS). The statistical tests used were the Chi-square test for categorical variables, Spearman correlation analysis (p-value <0.05), and frequencies/ percentages for some quantitative variables. Results: The study primarily comprised first-year undergraduate students, with 206 (56.1%) female and 161 (43.9%) male participants. Social media (208, 56.7%) and making calls (195, 53.1%) were the most frequently cited reasons for smartphone usage. Among the participants, 114 (31.1%) exhibited addictive smartphone habits, with males outnumbering females. Furthermore, 50 (13.6%) reported intentional self-injury, with females constituting the majority. Common methods included hitting oneself (20, 40%), pulling one’s hair (18, 36%), and cutting (16, 32%). Significant correlations were observed between certain intrapersonal and interpersonal functions of NSSI behaviour and smartphone addiction among male individuals engaged in deliberate self-harm (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: In this study, 31.1% of the participants exhibited addictive smartphone habits, and 13.6% reported intentional self-injury. These findings underscore the critical need to investigate smartphone addiction to thoroughly understand NSSI behaviour, particularly among undergraduate students.

Hey StepByStep! Can you teach me how to use my phone better?

People can nowadays take advantage of Digital Self-Control Tools (DSCTs) to regulate their technology use, e.g., by defining a usage timer or by removing some distractive functionality like recommendations or a newsfeed. In this paper, we aim to overcome the limits of these restrictive methods, e.g., their low effectiveness in the long term, by speculating on tools that can teach users how to use technology better. To this end, we present StepByStep, a novel mobile DSCT that proactively assists users in learning how to regulate smartphone use through adaptable and continuously variable interventions. The DSCT is the result of a 2-phase iterative design process. StepByStep starts conversations with users to suggest possible problematic smartphone behaviors, and it establishes personalized “learning paths” via gamification. It then progressively reduces its degree of support until the user acquires a sufficient level of independence, i.e., it is able to sustain a new behavior without the help of the tool. Two exploratory in-the-wild studies with 8 and 41 participants, respectively, show initial evidence that the adopted approach is promising and could effectively assist users into understanding when and how to reduce the time spent on their smartphones, thus avoiding unwanted smartphone habits.

A Systematic Overview of Adolescents’ Smartphone Habits and Internet Addiction During the COVID-19 Era

In order to prevent the spread of the virus during the Covid-19 epidemic period, measures such as maintaining social distance, quarantine practices, and keeping schools closed have been taken in many countries. In this process, individuals' internet use has also increased in order to restore interpersonal relationships that have decreased with staying at home. In addition, the transfer of educational activities, which are risky to be carried out face-to-face during the epidemic period, to online platforms, as in many countries, brought about an increase in the time spent on devices with internet providers in adolescents. For this reason, it is important to evaluate the results of studies examining the concepts of internet and smartphone addiction in relation to the use of the internet in the Covid-19 period. In this context, in this systematic review, "What is the status of adolescents' smartphone and internet addictions in the Covid-19 Era?" The question has been tried to be answered. As a result of the searches made in the databases, fourteen studies were reached and these studies were examined in depth. The findings showed that adolescents’ internet/smartphone addictions were higher than before the epidemic, the prevalence of internet/smartphone addictions increased in general, and internet/smartphone addictions were associated with adolescents' mental disorders and problems.

Correlates of parental knowledge about smartphone exposure among young children.

Unhealthy smartphone habits use can impair the health of young children. Smartphone use among young children is affected by several factors of which the most important is parental knowledge pertains to smartphone exposure among young children. In Jordan, no studies have focused on this factor. A nation-wide cross-sectional survey was distributed to parents of children aged <6 years to assess parental knowledge of smartphone exposure among young children and examine its correlates in Jordan. An online self-reporting questionnaire was administered via Survey Monkey and posted on social media platforms in June 2020. A total of 2,781 Jordanian parents completed the survey. During the pandemic the daily hours of Smartphone use among children were significantly higher than prior the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2.12 vs. 1.7 h). More than half the children exceeded the recommended daily hours of use. These results were positively associated with increased smartphone use among parents. Overall, the parents proved knowledgeable regarding the effects of excessive smartphone exposure on the health of their children. However, a knowledge deficit was evident in two areas: parental controls on smartphone and safe levels of infant smartphone exposure. The mothers possessed a significantly higher level of knowledge than the fathers. The results suggest that, in the context Jordan, increasing parental knowledge has the potential to reduce smartphone exposure among young children. Awareness campaigns are needed to enhance parental knowledge of smartphone exposure among young children and the use of parental controls on smartphones.

Understanding, Discovering, and Mitigating Habitual Smartphone Use in Young Adults

People, especially young adults, often use their smartphones out of habit: They compulsively browse social networks, check emails, and play video-games with little or no awareness at all. While previous studies analyzed this phenomena qualitatively , e.g., by showing that users perceive it as meaningless and addictive, yet our understanding of how to discover smartphone habits and mitigate their disruptive effects is limited. Being able to automatically assess habitual smartphone use, in particular, might have different applications, e.g., to design better “digital wellbeing” solutions for mitigating meaningless habitual use. To close this gap, we first define a data analytic methodology based on clustering and association rules mining to automatically discover complex smartphone habits from mobile usage data. We assess the methodology over more than 130,000 phone usage sessions collected from users aged between 16 and 33, and we show evidence that smartphone habits of young adults can be characterized by various types of links between contextual situations and usage sessions, which are highly diversified and differently perceived across users. We then apply the proposed methodology in Socialize, a digital wellbeing app that (i) monitors habitual smartphone behaviors in real time and (ii) uses proactive notifications and just-in-time reminders to encourage users to avoid any identified smartphone habits they consider as meaningless. An in-the-wild study with 20 users (ages 19–31) demonstrates that Socialize can assist young adults in better controlling their smartphone usage with a significant reduction of their unwanted smartphone habits.

Smartphone Impacts on Outdoor Orientation Trip Goal Attainment

Background: Smartphones provide limitless opportunity for communication and access to the world through social media, texting, and numerous applications. As their popularity continues to grow among college students, it is important to understand the various advantages and disadvantages of their use on and off campus. Purpose: We explored the effect of smartphones on goal and objective attainment in the outdoor orientation program (OOP) at Old Dominion University. Methodology/Approach: Using post-experience focus groups, student participants and leaders, faculty and staff mentors, and program administrators were asked their perceptions of the impacts of smartphones on outdoor orientation. Findings/Conclusions: Analyses revealed that smartphones can be both a tool to help accomplish goals (i.e., develop connections) and a distraction to inhibit them. In addition, students shared feelings of security related to having smartphones with them at all times. Implications: These findings inform future research and policies focused on the role of smartphones in collegiate outdoor orientation programming, as well as provide implications for healthy smartphone habits in higher education.

How students’ self-control and smartphone-use explain their academic performance

Smartphones cause self-control challenges in people's everyday lives. Supporting this notion, our studies corroborate that trait self-control is negatively associated (1) with students' distraction (via smartphones) during their learning endeavors (Study 1, N = 446) and (2) with several aspects of problematic smartphone-use (Study 2, N = 421). Study 3 (N = 106) investigated whether distinct aspects of smartphone-use also account for the link between students' trait self-control and academic performance. Specifically, we examined (1) smartphone procrastination (i.e., irrational task delays via smartphone), (2) beneficial smartphone habits (placing in a bag [placement habit] or turning the sound off [setting habit]), and (3) the objective amount of smartphone-use (minutes spent on the smartphone [screentime] and times picked up [pickups]). In line with our predictions, students higher in trait self-control showed better academic performance (β = 0.22). Smartphone procrastination (β = −0.23) and placement habits (β = 0.21) were significantly associated with academic performance and both also mediated the self-control-performance-link. Our findings suggest that it is not the objective amount of smartphone-use but the effective handling of smartphones that helps students with higher trait self-control to fare better academically. Implications for future research are discussed from a self-regulatory perspective on smartphone-use.

UNDERSTANDING NOMOPHOBIA AMONG DIGITAL NATIVES: CHARACTERISTICS AND CHALLENGES

Digital native generation is born during the digital era and know-how to use technology especially smartphone at an early age. Smartphones play a vital role in the increase of having nomophobia as this device offers many capabilities that it has become a daily essential. Digital natives and millennials generation have access to or owns at least one smartphone with access to the internet ‘Nomophobia’ is a growing concern as seen among digital natives and the millennial generation. The study examines the definitions, characteristics, as well as patterns of nomophobia among digital natives and millennials. The methods of the study were qualitative approach by interviewing respondents’ mostly digital native and millennials generation. Then, a text mining analytics from respondents’ conversation on the topics of nomophobia was extracted to find common patterns and correlations. The study revealed that nomophobia and digital natives become anxious when they do not have their smartphones with them. Digital native with nomophobia has been exposed to the smartphone and tend to rely on these technologies more than anything else. Keywords: Smartphone, Nomophobia, Millennial generation, Digital Native, Smartphone Habits

Use of Instagram by Pre-Service Teacher Education: Smartphone Habits and Dependency Factors.

It is increasingly common to upload photographs on the Internet of sports practices carried out. However, this behavior can be related to smartphone addiction, which has become a global problem. In turn, the intensive use of the Instagram social network has begun to be linked to addictive behaviors on mobile devices. The purposes of this paper were to analyze the Instagram usage habits of future primary school teachers, to determine the influence of sociodemographic factors on intensive Instagram use and smartphone addiction, and to determine the influence of intensive Instagram use on smartphone addiction. For this purpose, a transversal design was adopted where two standardized scales were applied to a sample of university students of the Primary Education Degree of the University of Granada, Spain (n = 385). The results showed that the type of image most uploaded to this social network was the selfie, well above sport. Furthermore, the structural equation model highlighted the significant influence of the intensive use of Instagram and smartphone addiction. Finally, the implications and findings of this study are discussed, highlighting the importance of generating healthy habits regarding the use of technology.

Psychological risk factors associated with internet and smartphone addiction among students of an Indian dental institute.

The internet and smartphones have a strong potential for addiction. Excessive use of these technologies can have adverse effects on psychological well-being of the users. The objective of the study is to find out the effects of internet addiction (IA) and smartphone addiction (SA) on psychological outcomes of dental students in an Indian institute. In this cross-sectional study, 320 dental students were assessed for their internet and smartphone habits using the Young's IA test (YIAT) and the SA scale (SAS), respectively. Psychological outcomes were evaluated using the insomnia severity index, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The median YIAT score was 35 and interquartile range (IQR) of 24-49 with 23% subjects reporting potential IA. The median SAS score was 108 (IQR 91.25-128). Both IA and SA were significantly associated with participants' year of the study. Significant correlations were observed between IA and SA with psychological parameters. The association of IA and SA with psychological parameters shows how these habits can affect the users' mental well-being. Public especially young adults should be made aware about potential harmful effects of the internet and smartphones.

First Experience with Feasibility and Implementation of the Smartphone Habits Heart® App: A Proof-of-Concept Study for Patient Engagement in Heart Failure Management

Background Active patient engagement in heart failure (HF) management beyond the clinical setting is limited. Alternatively, using a smartphone app to target areas such as patient education and self-management may be useful and easily implemented. Hypothesis We hypothesized that a HF-specific smartphone-based app would enhance patient engagement in HF. Methods Ambulatory cardiology clinic patients were enrolled, randomized to control (paper HF education material) or Habits Heart® App and followed for ≥6 weeks. Patients in the intervention arm were provided with a smartphone with the app installed. The Atlanta HF Knowledge Test (AHFKT-V2) was performed at baseline and at final visit. The App includes short HF education videos and interactive lessons, weekly symptoms surveys, a messaging platform, and tracking for weight, sodium intake, and activity. Depending on symptom severity, patients were prompted to contact the study team, the study cardiologist, or call 911. Through an online dashboard, the study team tracked patient weight and symptoms and responded to patient messages sent from the app. Continuous variables were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Results Of 28 patients (53.6% HF with reduced ejection fraction, 71.4% male, 59.5 mean age) enrolled, 11/13 in the control arm and 12/15 in the App arm completed both study visits. During the 6 weeks, the 12 patients averaged 403 screen views across 56 distinct sessions, with an average session duration of 5 minutes. On average, those patients recorded their weight 22 times, sodium intake 16 times, and exercise 23 times (Figure). AHFKT-V2 score was 80.0% at both baseline and final visit for the control arm while the score was 83.3% at baseline and 85.0% at final visit for the App arm (0% vs. 1.7% change respectively, p=0.70). Patients in the control arm gained 2.5 lbs bodyweight during the study while patients in the App arm lost 3.8 lbs bodyweight (p=0.05). The App was rated a 3.8 out of 5 on user satisfaction. The patients described the App's educational lessons and videos and the recording of weight and exercise as the most enjoyable aspects. Areas for improvement included the food input layout, internet connectivity issues, and the need to carry two smartphones. Conclusions The Habits Heart® App is a feasible way to engage patients in HF management. Future iterations of the App will feature more streamlined exercise, diet, and weight tracking, as well as direct download of the App onto the patient's personal phone.

Smartphone Habits and Behaviors in Supporting Students Self-Efficacy

The widespread of smartphones usage have increased the convenience of accessing information and knowledge sharing for higher learning students. University’s students are exposed with the multi channels of knowledge from various sources primarily from online learning’s resources. The study examines smartphone habit, internet literacy, and mobile learning in relation to self-efficacy. Self-efficacy refers to the internal forces of a student’s belief in the abilities in utilizing smartphone as educational aid in the context of mobile learning. This study deploys a quantitative approach in assessing the relationship between self-efficacy, internet literacy and smartphone’s habits for of university students. Understanding student self-efficacy is important factor to deliver an effective ways in supporting mobile learning activities. In addition to documenting the findings of self-efficacy and mobile learning, the research also represents a model of internal and external factors that affects student self-efficacy to make mobile learning successful.

Smartphones and Cognition: A Review of Research Exploring the Links between Mobile Technology Habits and Cognitive Functioning

While smartphones and related mobile technologies are recognized as flexible and powerful tools that, when used prudently, can augment human cognition, there is also a growing perception that habitual involvement with these devices may have a negative and lasting impact on users’ ability to think, remember, pay attention, and regulate emotion. The present review considers an intensifying, though still limited, area of research exploring the potential cognitive impacts of smartphone-related habits, and seeks to determine in which domains of functioning there is accruing evidence of a significant relationship between smartphone technology and cognitive performance, and in which domains the scientific literature is not yet mature enough to endorse any firm conclusions. We focus our review primarily on three facets of cognition that are clearly implicated in public discourse regarding the impacts of mobile technology – attention, memory, and delay of gratification – and then consider evidence regarding the broader relationships between smartphone habits and everyday cognitive functioning. Along the way, we highlight compelling findings, discuss limitations with respect to empirical methodology and interpretation, and offer suggestions for how the field might progress toward a more coherent and robust area of scientific inquiry.

Smartphone Habits Among Youth

Rapid technological advancements have led to Smartphone revolution of becoming multifunctional personal devices. These smart phones are equipped with new features, including Internet access, cameras (pictures and videos) and MP3 players. The study examines the complex forces that influence and challenge the socio-cultural values among youth. It investigates the extent to which smart phones were used and their implications for youth in a society that is bounded within the Malay Islamic Monarchy concept. The research questions were explored through the use of qualitative research method, specifically, focus groups and in-depth interviews. The framework utilized to examine the data is the Uses &amp; Gratifications theory. A number of significant findings signify firstly, the tendency for owning smart phone is influenced by the family. Parents gave smart phones to their children either as birthday gifts or after having performed well or passed their final Junior School Examination. Secondly, almost all of the respondents perceived smart phone as the most useful communication device as a mean to contact their friends and families. Thirdly, two important factors for smart phone ownership among youth include safety and emergency purposes. Finally, they also perceived smart phones as a status symbol.

Modeling habitual and addictive smartphone behavior: The role of smartphone usage types, emotional intelligence, social stress, self-regulation, age, and gender

The present study investigates the role of process and social oriented smartphone usage, emotional intelligence, social stress, self-regulation, gender, and age in relation to habitual and addictive smartphone behavior. We conducted an online survey among 386 respondents. The results revealed that habitual smartphone use is an important contributor to addictive smartphone behavior. Process related smartphone use is a strong determinant for both developing habitual and addictive smartphone behavior. People who extensively use their smartphones for social purposes develop smartphone habits faster, which in turn might lead to addictive smartphone behavior. We did not find an influence of emotional intelligence on habitual or addictive smartphone behavior, while social stress positively influences addictive smartphone behavior, and a failure of self-regulation seems to cause a higher risk of addictive smartphone behavior. Finally, men experience less social stress than women, and use their smartphones less for social purposes. The result is that women have a higher chance in developing habitual or addictive smartphone behavior. Age negatively affects process and social usage, and social stress. There is a positive effect on self-regulation. Older people are therefore less likely to develop habitual or addictive smartphone behaviors.