Smartphone addiction among university students in the light of some variables

Highlights

• The addiction percentage among participants was 48%.

• There are Significant gender and social status differences were found in the degree of addiction.

• There are significant differences due to monthly income were found in the degree of addiction.

• Bachelor degree students were found to have the highest degree of addiction.

• There are significant differences due to hours of daily use were found in degree of addiction.

Abstract

We explored the frequency and indices of smartphone addiction in a group of King Saud University students and investigated whether there were differences in smartphone addiction based on gender, social status, educational level, monthly income and hours of daily use. We developed a questionnaire probing smartphone addiction consisting of five dimensions: 1) overuse of smartphone, 2) the psychological-social dimension, 3) the health dimension, 4) preoccupation with smartphones, and 5) the technological dimension. After being validated, the questionnaire was administered to 416 students, both male and female, at King Saud University. Results revealed that addiction percentage among participants was 48%. The order of smartphone addiction indices were as follows: overuse of smartphone, the technological dimension, the psychological-social dimension, preoccupation with smartphones, and the health dimension. Significant gender differences were found in the degree of addiction on the whole questionnaire and all of its dimensions with the exception of the technological dimension in favor of males. Significant differences by social status were found in favor of the unmarried. Bachelor degree students were found to have the highest degree of addiction. Significant differences by hours of daily use were also detected in favor of participants using the smartphone for more than 4 h a day. As to the monthly income dimension, significant differences were found on the health dimension in favor of participants with lower monthly income.

Introduction

The 21st century has witnessed ever-increasing technological advances leaving an imprint on all aspects of life. One of these advances is the smartphone and its numerous applications or apps offering quick access to the Internet and social media through various apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Skype. The smartphone has also facilitated the transmission of SMSs and fax, and navigating the Internet. Furthermore, the smartphone includes entertainment such as games, the Cam, video, Bluetooth, multimedia, radio, youtube, movies, GPS, and other applications (Abo-Jedi, 2008).

One of the most important advantages of the smartphone is easy wireless access to electronic mail, instant messages and multimedia, and the possibility of using Office Applications after downloading additional apps from the site of the smartphone producer or from Play Store. It also has a complete keyboard that enables users to write e-mails easily. The Gulf markets, like other world markets, introduce smart devices on a daily basis. In addition, all age groups show an interest in owning such devices. More and more people are purchasing smart devices for their numerous and varied services. For some people, the smartphone has become a substitute for the computer. For others, it has become the most effective means of entertainment, amusement and pastime. As a result of its popularity, the use of the smartphone has become an indicator of economic status and possession of a smartphone is associated with several psychological and social concepts such as the popularity implied by achieving a large number of friends or followers. However, some argue that the smartphone has more disadvantages than advantages. The disadvantages relate to the way the smartphone is used, especially by teenagers (Attamimi, 2011). There is empirical evidence that most smartphone addicts are teenagers whose shyness and lack of confidence encourage them to rely on smartphones in order to communicate with others without face-to-face encounters (Walsh, White, & Young, 2007).

Recently, there has been a great increase in the number of smartphone users spendingconsiderable sums of money to own the latest upgrades, versions and apps. Users have become so attached to their smartphone that they feel they cannot function without it and their use and preoccupation with the smartphone results in the neglect of other assignments and tasks. This irrational overuse is described as smartphone addiction and psychologists define this as an obsession. This addiction is likely to be among the most prevalent of all addictions. Smartphone addicts are expected to live in isolation. This addiction can also affect individuals economically and psychologically (Walsh et al., 2007).