Smartphone Users Research Articles

Changes in Smartphone Usage among Adolescents and Associated Subjective Health Concerns: A Secondary Analysis of the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

We evaluated changes in the smartphone use rate and time among Korean adolescents and their awareness of associated health problems. This study was a secondary analysis of the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2020-2023) conducted by the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The total number of enrolled adolescents aged 12-18 years was 214,526. The weekly smartphone usage rate increased from 96.4% to 97.1% (p = 0.03), with no significant changes observed in weekend usage. The average smartphone use time was 4.7 h on weekdays (p = 0.17) and 6.6 h on weekends (p = 0.37). Middle school adolescents had a higher weekday use rate than high school adolescents, but the average smartphone use time was significantly less. By 2023, the proportion of adolescents with overdependence was 28% (n = 14,672). Additionally, 11.8% (n = 6255) responded that they had experienced health problems due to smartphone use. The longer they used their smartphones for on the weekends, the more likely they considered their health to be worse. In conclusion, our youth population needs to be educated on the proper use of smartphones.

Beyond distraction: A cross-cultural look at instructors’ perspectives on smartphone use in university classrooms

ABSTRACT We explored the usage of smartphones in university classrooms across three different countries from the instructor’s perspective. Using a qualitative, cross-cultural approach, we interviewed 30 instructors via semi-structured interviews to understand their viewpoints and experience with student smartphone usage in class. Instructors reported positive benefits that included active learning and the accessibility and sustainability of the smartphone as a learning tool. Participants also highlighted the challenges that include preventing critical thinking and direct instructor issues including distraction, loss of control, and discouragement. Instead of implementing new technology strategies in a top-down manner, organisations should co-create strategies with students and instructors to enhance motivation and focus. With technology being a common cohabitant in the classroom, this paper adds value from the perspective of instructors regarding their struggles, opportunities, and strategies when dealing with smartphones.

Smartphone Usage and Postural Stability in Individuals With Forward Head Posture: A Nintendo Wii Balance Board Analysis.

To assess postural stability, specifically center of body sway during single-leg standing balance, among individuals with and without forward head posture (FHP) during smartphone use. The research recruited 53 healthy smartphone users, aged 18-25, and categorized them into FHP group comprising 26 subjects and the normal (control) group with 27 subjects. Participants were assigned the task of maintaining balance while engaged in smartphone typing during single-leg standing. The experiment involved four specific conditions according to neck posture and stable of surface. The study meticulously quantified body center of pressure (COP) sway amplitudes using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board. The research revealed that individuals with FHP exhibited significantly greater body sway compared to the control group when using smartphones. Notably, distinct variations were observed in path length sway, anteroposterior (AP), and mediolateral (ML) sway amplitude, particularly evident when maintaining flexed neck positions on a soft surface while engaged with smartphones. These findings strongly suggest that individuals with FHP encounter deteriorated postural stability during smartphone use, particularly in challenging head positions.

The Development of the Smartphone Proficiency Questionnaire for Chinese Older Adults (SPQ-COA).

While mobile technology is rapidly evolving, it remains a challenge for some older adults to use smartphones worldwide. To address this issue through tailored skill training and product design, this study developed a questionnaire to assess the smartphone proficiency of older adults. The Smartphone Proficiency Questionnaire for Chinese Older Adults (SPQ-COA) assessed proficiency based on 30 up-to-date tasks (e.g., mobile payment), that covered common operations in daily life of Chinese older adults. The questionnaire was distributed to 452 older adults (age ≥60), as well as 100 young adults (age: 18-30) as a control group. The questionnaire performed well in terms of reliability, difficulty, and discrimination. Among older adults, higher scores were associated with lower age, longer daily use duration, more years of use, higher monthly income, and higher education level, further validating the questionnaire. Overall, the SPQ-COA is a valid tool for evaluating Chinese older adults' smartphone usage skills.

Social media use is predictable from app sequences: Using LSTM and transformer neural networks to model habitual behavior

The present paper introduces a novel approach to studying social media habits through predictive modeling of sequential smartphone user behaviors. While much of the literature on media and technology habits has relied on self-report questionnaires and simple behavioral frequency measures, we examine an important yet understudied aspect of media and technology habits: their embeddedness in repetitive behavioral sequences. Leveraging Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and transformer neural networks, we show that (i) social media use is predictable at the within and between-person level and that (ii) there are robust individual differences in the predictability of social media use. We examine the performance of several modeling approaches, including (i) global models trained on the pooled data from all participants, (ii) idiographic person-specific models, and (iii) global models fine-tuned on person-specific data. Neither person-specific modeling nor fine-tuning on person-specific data substantially outperformed the global models, indicating that the global models were able to represent a variety of idiosyncratic behavioral patterns. Additionally, our analyses reveal that individual differences in the predictability of social media use were not substantially related to differences in the frequency of smartphone use in general or the frequency of social media use, indicating that our approach captures an aspect of habits that is distinct from behavioral frequency. Implications for habit modeling and theoretical development are discussed.

Note-taking fosters distance video learning: smartphones as risk and intellectual values as protective factors

Distance video learning, especially with how-to videos, has become extremely popular. Whereas previous studies revealed note-taking as a prominent and promising support measure for video learning in the lab, we focus on note-taking while learning from a how-to video in a distance learning setting. Meanwhile, learners’ digital distraction and smartphone usage have become widespread and excessive, potentially harming learning. We thus also aimed to analyze potential risk and protective factors associated with learning with how-to videos, such as smartphone usage time and intellectual values. We conducted an online field experiment involving 59 psychology students, who learned with a short how-to video on plumbing. We found that note-takers outperformed non-note-takers in a posttest about the video content. Furthermore, this note-taking effect on learning outcomes was mediated by learning engagement. Besides note-taking and intellectual values as contributing positively to learning outcomes, we also identified the mean daily smartphone usage time as a risk factor to learning. Overall, our results show how beneficial it is for students to take notes while learning with how-to videos in a distance learning setting. Conversely, learners should avoid digital distractions, in particular through smartphones.

An integrative research framework to investigate factors influencing citizen’s intention to adopt e-health applications: post-COVID-19 perspective

Purpose The use of e-health applications has remained popular during pandemic for medical treatments. Nevertheless, adoption of e-health applications among individuals is considerably low in post-COVID-19 world. To address this issue, the current research integrates three renowned theories, namely unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, diffusion of innovation and DeLone and McLean model and investigates individual intention to adopt e-health application. Design/methodology/approach Research design is grounded in quantitative and cross-sectional methods and uses a survey questionnaire. Survey questionnaire is administered toward smartphone users. Overall, 238 valid responses were analyzed with structural equation modeling approach. Findings Results indicate that altogether performance expectancy, effort expectancy, information quality, system quality, service quality, facilitating condition and social influence explained substantial variance (R2 = 76.5%) in user intention to adopt e-health applications. Similarly, effect size analysis has revealed substantial impact of social influence on user intention to adopt e-health applications. Geiser and Stone’s Q2 analysis discloses that research model has substantial power to predict user intention to adopt e-health applications. Practical implications This study integrates three known information system models to investigate individual behavior toward adoption of e-health applications. In practice, it suggests that managers should pay attention in improving performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition, system quality, service quality and information quality which develop positive behavior and encourage smartphone users to adopt e-health applications. Originality/value This study is original as it integrates three models and investigates individual intention to adopt e-health applications. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to test the moderating impact of patient health value between user intention to adopt and actual use of e-health applications. It has established that compatibility and innovativeness are essential antecedents of performance and effort expectancy and hence make this research more unique and valuable.

The impact of smartphone use duration and posture on the prevalence of hand pain among college students

BackgroundExcessive smartphone usage among students can lead to discomfort in their hands and fingers. This study investigates the impact of smartphone holding posture, duration of usage, and the prevalence of wrist and finger pain among university students.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 213 university students who were selected based on inclusion criteria. Data was collected through a demographic information questionnaire. Participants self-reported five different postures for holding and interacting with a smartphone. The prevalence, frequency, severity, and interference of wrist and finger discomfort were assessed using the Cornell Hand Discomfort Questionnaires (CHDQ).ResultsThe study revealed that the average age of participants was 21.3 ± 2.2 years. On average, they had been using smartphones for 7.9 ± 3.1 years and spent an average of 4.9 ± 2.5 h daily holding them in their hands. In terms of discomfort, more than 25% of students reported pain in areas C (thumb finger), E (Palm Pollicis), and F (wrist) of the right hand, which was significantly related to the duration of holding the smartphone in that hand. Additionally, smartphone holding duration significantly affected areas D (palm) and F of the left hand, with over 11% of students experiencing discomfort. The most prevalent posture among students (41% of participants) involved holding the smartphone with the right hand only, with the thumb touching the screen. Notably, areas B (χ2 = 21.7), C (χ2 = 10.27), D (χ2 = 65.54), and E (χ2 = 59.49) of the right hand, as well as areas C (χ2 = 6.58) and E (χ2 = 44.28) of the left hand, exhibited significant associations with the postures of holding the smartphone.ConclusionsThe duration of smartphone use and the postures in which it is held contribute to the prevalence of discomfort in the thumb area and related muscles among right-handed students.

SMARTPHONE: FRIEND OR FOE? UNCOVERING THE DARK SIDE OF DIGITAL ADDICTION

Smartphones have become an integral part of modern society, offering a wide range of functions and various positive and negative consequences. Smartphone addiction is associated with adverse mental health outcomes, underscoring the need for further exploration of mental health problems caused by intense smartphone use. The research aims to analyze the prevalence of smartphone addiction and the factors underlying it; as well as the psychological and physiological mechanisms underlying this relationship. The research design uses an exploratory approach to analyze the phenomenon of smartphone addiction in depth, regarding individual lives. Data collection uses a literature review, while data analysis is carried out thematically, and credibility is tested by checking data sources. The research results show that the prevalence of smartphone addiction ranges between 10% - 60% of smartphone users in most of the population, and the percentage is higher for male participants than female participants. The research contributions and implications provide important insights into the phenomenon of smartphone addiction and creating a healthier relationship with technology, by highlighting the prevalence of smartphone addiction in various populations, as well as explaining the psychological and physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship through the interaction of the dopaminergic system, emotion regulation, and the development of the disorder mental health.

Association of smartphones use, ocular symptoms and binocular dysfunctions in adolescents: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Purpose Given the current scenario of increased smartphone use in youth, this study aims to evaluate the proportion of ocular symptoms and binocular dysfunction and their association with smartphone use in adolescents through a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Methods The participants were asked to fill out questionnaires related to smartphone use and symptoms of eyestrain experienced (Balik et al. and Kucer). They were asked about the following seven symptoms: blurring of vision, redness, visual disturbance, secretion, inflammation, lacrimation, and dryness. Each symptom out of the 7, was scored on a scale of 0–1 and was used to calculate an Ocular Symptom Score (OSS) by summing the scores of each symptom.Depending upon the duration of smartphone usage, the participants were classified into four groups: <2 hours/day, 2–4 hours/day, 4–6 hours/day, and >6 hours/day. Binocular functions were assessed using near point of convergence (NPC), near point of accommodation (NPA), Accommodative convergence/Accommodation (AC/A) ratio, dissociated heterophoria, and binocular accommodative facility (BAF). Results A total of 123 smartphone user adolescents, aged 10–19 years were included in this study. The mean age of the study population was 16.58 + 2.8 years, out of which 52.03% were males. Prevalence of ocular symptoms was higher in groups with greater duration of smartphone use (2 to 4, 4 to 6, and >6 hours/day as compared to <2 hours/day: 90.48%, 94.74%, 100% vs. 75% respectively). The mean of NPC was 8.51, it was highest in subjects using smartphones for >6 hours. (p-value = .001). The mean AC/A ratio was 2.83 + 1.03: 1. A low AC/A ratio was associated with a longer duration of smartphone usage (p-value = .0001). The mean of BAF was 7.4 + 3.18 cycles/min, only 30 (24.4%) participants had BAF beyond the normal range (<5 cycles/min). The mean of BAF was lowest in the group with >6 hours/day of smartphone use (p-value < .0001). No significant change was found in NPA and dissociated heterophoria with the duration of smartphone usage. Conclusion Higher duration of smartphone use (>2 hours/day) is associated with various ocular symptoms and binocular dysfunction. However, additional research is necessary to authenticate the results of the study.

Myoelectrical activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle in smartphone-addicted versus non-addicted individuals

BackgroundOver the past decade, smartphone users have substantially increased, raising concerns about potential musculoskeletal problems associated with long-term use. Prolonged smartphone usage may cause discomfort in the thumb, shoulder, and neck that can be exacerbated over time, thereby affecting the electrical activity of several muscles, such as the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). Accordingly, we aimed to examine the impact of smartphone addiction on the myoelectric activity of the SCM.Design and methodForty-four smartphone users, both male and female, aged 18–30 years, were recruited from the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, in this observational study. The participants were equally allocated into two groups, A and B, based on their Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) scores. Group A consisted of smartphone-non-addicted users who scored below 31 for males and 33 for females, whereas group B included smartphone-addicted users who scored over 31 for men and 33 for females. Additionally, the electromyography (EMG) device was used to monitor the electrical activity during rest and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).ResultsThe results showed a significant difference (P < 0.0001) in the electrical activity of the left and right SCMs between the two groups at rest but a nonsignificant difference during MVC.ConclusionSmartphone addiction significantly impacts the myoelectric activity of the SCM at rest among young adult smartphone users, but this impact is not significant during MVC.

Išmaniųjų telefonų turėjimo mokymosi metu poveikis informacijos atsiminimui psichologijos studentų imtyje

The impact of smartphones on people’s daily lives is increasing. However, despite the benefits of smartphones, the adverse effects of these devices are becoming more prominent in the academic environment; therefore, it is important to analyse them. The aim of the research is to evaluate the effects that possessing of a smartphone while studying has on the recall of information in a sample of psychology students. The research analysed data collected from a sample of 80 second and third-year students from the bachelor’s program in psychology (69 females, 10 males, and 1 “other”). The age of the participants varied from 19 to 54 years (average age – 24 years, std. deviation – 7.93 years). Research method: experiment. The participants were divided into groups, according to the effects: 1) those who could not have their smartphones during the lecture; 2) those who could have their smartphones during the lecture but were asked not to use them; 3) those who could have their smartphones during the lecture and were not given any instruction on their usage. During each experiment session, 8–13 students from each group watched a 20-minute lecture recording. After the lecture, the participants completed a short test on the lecture’s content. After finishing the test, the participants filled in a nomophobia questionnaire (Yildirim &amp; Correia, 2015). One week after participating in the experiment, students sent in a screenshot with the information on their average smartphone screen time. Students who had their smartphones during the lecture recalled the information worse than those who did not. However, no significant differences were found between the group of students who were given instructions on the usage of smartphones and those who were not. The results also revealed that a higher average time spent using a smartphone was associated with poorer recall of lecture information.

Smartphone usage during walking decreases the positive persistency in gait cycle variability

Gait cycle variability during steady walking, described by the stride interval time series, has been used as a gait-stability-related measure. In particular, the positive persistency in the stride intervals with 1/f-like fluctuation and reduction of the persistency are the well-documented metrics that can characterize gait patterns of healthy young adults and elderly including patients with neurological diseases, respectively. Here, we examined effects of a dual task on gait cycle variability in healthy young adults, based on the mean and standard deviation statistics as well as the positive persistency of the stride intervals during steady walking on a treadmill. Specifically, three gait conditions were examined: control condition, non-cognitive task with holding a smartphone in front of the chest using their dominant hand and looking fixedly at a blank screen of the smartphone, and cognitive motor task with holding a smartphone as in the non-cognitive task and playing a puzzle game displayed on the smartphone by one-thumb operation. We showed that only the positive persistency, not the mean and standard deviation statistics, was affected by the cognitive and motor load of smartphone usage in the cognitive condition. More specifically, the positive persistency exhibited in the control and the non-cognitive conditions was significantly reduced in the cognitive condition. Our results suggest that the decrease in the positive persistency during the cognitive task, which might represent the deterioration of healthy gait pattern, is caused endogenously by the cognitive and motor load, not necessarily by the reduction of visual field as often hypothesized.

Understanding the Role of Technology Anxiety in the Adoption of Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) by Older Adults with Chronic Diseases in Shanghai: An Extension of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) Model.

The unprecedented rapid growth of digital health has brought new opportunities to the health field. However, elderly patients with chronic diseases, as an important potential beneficiary group, are affected by the digital divide, leading to unsatisfactory usage of digital health technologies (DHTs). Our study focused on the factors influencing the adoption of DHTs among this vulnerable group. To extend the UTAUT theory, technology anxiety and several demographic predictors were included to address the age characteristics of the respondents. An on-site survey was conducted in general, district, and community hospitals in Shanghai (n = 309). Facilitating conditions negatively influenced technology anxiety. Technology anxiety hindered behavioural intention. Social influence had a significant but negative impact on behavioural intention. Education, whether older adults have had experience with DHTs and previous smartphone usage experiences were significantly associated with technology anxiety. The findings provide valuable information for multiple stakeholders, including family members of elderly users, product designers, and policymakers. Ameliorating facilitating conditions, improving devices' usage experience, encouraging attempts and focusing on groups with lower educational levels can help to reduce technology anxiety and promote DHT acceptance and use in older age groups.

The Role of Satisfaction Customer Mediate Influence Perception Quality To Loyalty Customer

iPhone is one of the premium smartphones that Apple relies on to compete with various premium smartphone products from other brands. The iPhone has a competitive advantage in the form of a unique and exclusive physical design and an operating system that is different from other brands in order to maintain its existence in the market. This study aims to explain the role of customer satisfaction in mediating the influence of quality perception on customer loyalty in iPhone smartphone users in Denpasar City. This study used a sample of 100 respondents taken using the non-probability sampling method with purposive sampling techniques. The data in this study was collected using a questionnaire method which was distributed in the form of a google form link to respondents. The data that has been collected is then analyzed and tested using classical assumption tests, path analysis tests, and testing the role of mediating variables. The results of this study show that quality perception has a positive and significant effect on customer loyalty, quality perception has a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction, customer satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on customer loyalty, and customer satisfaction is able to partially mediate the influence of quality perception on customer loyalty. The results of this study can provide suggestions for Apple companies to improve the perception of quality and customer satisfaction in iPhone users to increase customer loyalty.

The effect of using the smartphone blue light filter feature on tear production

Smartphones today have been used to support human activities. It makes the human eye always exposed to smartphone screens that use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit light with a blue electromagnetic spectrum known as blue light. The effect of blue light on human eyes is still being studied. This study aims to determine the effect of using smartphone blue light filter features on tear production. This was a quasi-experimental, pre-post study, involving 40 samples who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were asked to use a smartphone within 1 week without activating a blue light filter. After this, tear production was measured using the Schirmer test under topical anesthesia. Then, subjects were asked to use a smartphone again within 1 week by activating the blue light filter and being measured again using the Schirmer test under topical anesthesia. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 25 software. There was a statistically significant (sig=0.000) difference in Schirmer test values before and after the usage of smartphone blue light filters. Each increase in the duration of smartphone usage for one minute will decrease Schirmer test results by 0.000625 mm, and so will the multiplication. The duration of smartphone usage has a 21.6% contribution of influence on the results of the Schirmer test. In conclusion, there is an effect of using the blue light filter feature on tear production between the use of a smartphone without activating the blue light filter with the use of a smartphone that activates the blue light filter feature.

From innovation to participation: connectivity and the conduct of contemporary warfare

Abstract The war in Ukraine is the first conventional war to ever take place in an entirely connected information ecology. The internet has not been switched off. Mundane smart devices are ubiquitous. Soldiers and ordinary civilians are participating in the conflict in ways that have never previously been possible. This stretches participation beyond the information domain and the kinds of connectivity that shaped conflicts in places like Syria, Tigray and Mali. Now the smartphone is routinely being used by soldiers and civilians alike to geolocate enemy columns, control drones to range find for artillery, and produce and broadcast the damage assessment for online audiences to watch. Surveillance technology already makes it possible to track individual smartphone users. In times of peace these forms of surveillance are curtailed. During a conventional war, however, private organizations and governments have reason to circumvent peacetime legal conventions. The result is that mundane connected technology forms part of an extended chain of sensors that feeds data and information to those involved in information warfare and targeting activities. In effect, the smartphone has collapsed the means to fight and represent war into the functionality of one device. This article maps the policy and military implications of these developments in relation to participation, the conduct of war and the law of armed conflict.

The Relationship Between Smartphone Usage and Student Achievement at SMP 21 Pekanbaru

Morgan's research results (2015) in Indonesia, people aged 14-24 years who are dominated by 77% of students have and become the most active smartphone users compared to other ages. Smartphones have a certain impact on students. One of the impacts caused if used when learning activities are taking place is that it can lower students achievement. This study aims to determine the relationship of smartphone usage with student achievement in SMP Negeri 21 Pekanbaru 2019.Conducted in 25 february-28 february 2019 using primary and secondary data. This research is a quantitative analytic design with cross sectional approach with population of many as 770 people with a sample of 90 people using stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Processing data by using SPSS 17.0 then presented in tabular form. of research that from The results of the study revealed that the majority of smartphone use included in the medium category as many as 77.8% (70 people) and had good achievements much as 70.0% (63 people). Research shows that P Value ≥ α 0.388 ≥ 0.05, mean there is no relationship between smartphone usage with student achievement in SMP Negeri 21 pekanbaru 2019. This is due to the still high role of parents in paying attention to their children. Through this research, it is expected that educational institutions can use smartphones wisely so that they can improve learning achievement.

Leveraging Expert Knowledge for Mobile Livestock Care: Combining AHP and Naïve Bayes for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management

This study successfully designed and developed a smartphone application for livestock disease diagnosis, treatment, and reporting. The agile development framework Extreme Programming (XP) ensured efficient iteration and adaptation based on user feedback. Additionally, the integration of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with veterinary expert input facilitated the prioritization of disease possibilities within the app. Furthermore, the application of Naive Bayes probability allowed the system to rank diseases based on them likelihood, enhancing the accuracy of diagnoses. Workshops, field observations, group discussions, and interviews with senior veterinary experts were used as data collecting and final product assessment tools to ensure it met the original criteria. Purposive sampling was used to distribute the application to 90 smartphone users who work in veterinary clinics, including 49 senior veterinary medicine students. The proposed system offers benefits such as improved healthcare access, early disease detection, enhanced disease management, and strengthened livestock health surveillance. This multifaceted approach holds significant promise for improving livestock health management, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Smartphone usage among Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery students at the University of Papua New Guinea: A survey

Smartphone usage among Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery students at the University of Papua New Guinea: A survey