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Mobile Addiction and associated factors amongst youth

Article  in  Indian Journal of Mental Health · January 2015

DOI: 10.30877/IJMH.2.3.2015.244-248

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Review Article

Mobile Addiction and associated factors amongst youth

Anuja Deshpande1

1
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Maniben Nanavati Women’s College, Mumbai.
E-mail –[email protected]

ABSTRACT

In today’s era Addiction is not restricted to chemical or natural

substances. Behavioural addiction is an emerging addiction noted these days.
Technological Advancements are changing rapidly and new technology becomes
available easily – something which is contributing to upswing of excessive mobile phone
use. This is a simple review, based on empirical evidence available that focuses on the
dilemma of using the correct term for mobile phone addiction. The diagnosis dilemma
exists due to inequity in the measurement and description of the forms of mobile phone
abuse. The article also tries to highlight how young minds are impacted by this
phenomenon; and the various physical and psychological ill-effects associated with it.

Keywords : Mobile phone, Addiction, Youth, Risk association

INTRODUCTION

In today‟s world addiction is no longer restricted to alcohol or substance

use. Behavioral addiction among youth is an increasing trend noted in the recent past.
Researchers define technological addictions as a subset of behavioral addictions – one
that involves human –machine interaction; and which develops when people become
dependent on a device to reduce negative mood states or increase positive
consequences [1-2].
Different experiences fall under technology addiction viz.
Internet Addiction, Gaming Addiction, Mobile Addiction, Smartphone addiction, WatsApp
Addiction, Social Media Addiction, Candy Crush Addiction etc. Some of these addictions
come under the umbrella of Mobile addiction. Mobile Addiction is referred to differently
by different authors. Typical terms include Smartphone addiction, Mobile phone overuse,
Mobile phone dependence and Problematic mobile phone use among others. The concept
of addiction to mobile phone use was introduced at first by Bianchi and Phillips [3] and
has since gained tremendous acceptance and research.
Mobile phones have become a central part in students‟ lives
because they are multi-purpose. This multi-function device is now easily available to the
hands of young minds; and at a click it allows them to explore applications which provide
new and varied functions. Smartphones have become easily available and affordable
today. Many applications are available 24/7 and are easily downloaded for free – a likely
factor that makes individual dependent on a mobile phone. According to Hopeton and
Leith [4] many participants use phones for clicking photos, as an alarm clock and to play

Indian Journal of Mental Health 2015 ; 2(3)

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games. The tendency to use mobiles for many purposes was found more among younger
people.

In a study, it has been argued that mobile phones are popular

among students because they provide an easy platform to increase their social
communication [5]. On the other hand, yet another study suggested that college
students use more social networking sites to maintain existing friendships rather than to
make new friends [6]. Bianchi and Phillips [3] reveal that the highest level of
problematic mobile phone use is most found among youth. Upon reviewing literature on
Smartphone addiction among youth, a number of problems and methodological issues
may be recognized. There is no uniformity in the definition of Mobile phone addiction
among studies because of
a) The variety of addiction symptoms associated with Smartphone use;
b) The wide variety of new Smartphone functions; and
c) The different problematic outcomes associated with Smartphone addiction

This is further compounded by the fact that Mobile phone addiction

may not produce observable signs or symptoms; such as physiological indications of
cravings which is easily seen or observed in substance dependent addict. Indeed, the
addicted individual may appear to be working in a normal and socially acceptable way.
But the provisions are made for Mobile or cell phone addiction as a common disorder
that merits inclusion in new classificatory systems – ICD–11 and DSM-5 [7]. It fulfills the
diagnostic components:
 Excessive use– often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic
drives.
 Withdrawal, including feelings of anger, tension and/or depression when the
phone or network is inaccessible.
 It also presents with symptoms of Nomophobia or Ringxiety.
 There is a development of Tolerance, including the need for new better cell
instrument, more software or more hours of use and Negative repercussions‟,
including lying (communifaking), arguments, poor achievement, social isolation
and fatigue.

Authors have asserted that excessive usage of mobile phones does not bring in the rapid
emotional changes associated with traditional forms of addiction; and so it can be
considered abuse but not addiction [8]. Ahmed and others [9] assessed the pattern of
mobile phone use among university students in Pakistan to explain the extent of
addictive behavior in their usage. Results revealed that most students were able to set
fixed priorities for their responsibilities and commitments and their mobile phone use.
Their results also revealed that very few students exhibited extreme addictive behavior.
Thus, they concluded that university students used their mobile phones within realistic
limits and did not use beyond the limit that could lead to addictive mobile phone use.
Hooper and Zhou [10] investigated the various types of behavior
associated with mobile use. They conducted a test in six behavioral categories -
addictive, compulsive, habitual, dependent, mandatory and voluntary behavior. Results
highlight that mandatory behavior was most strongly associated with type of use, while
addictive behavior was the least associated. The results also showed that mobile phone
use could be regarded more as mandatory, voluntary or dependent behavior than
habitual, compulsive or addictive. Walsh and others [11] examined activities of
university students regarding mobile phone usage. They also attempted to understand if

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 246

the facts compared with standard behavioral addiction criteria. Symptoms of behavioral
and cognitive salience, conflict with other activities, euphoria, tolerance, withdrawal and
relapse and reinstatement appeared at varying levels amongst respondent descriptions
of their use of mobile phone. The study concluded that participants showed addictive use
of mobile phone to some degree; and that they revealed indications of behavioral
obsession. Another study by Tandon and Garg [12] on 269 students reported that the
college students in India are highly addicted to the use of mobile phones and internet
and excessively use technological services.

COMMON HEALTH RISKS

Mobile phone becomes problematic when its usage interferes with person‟s day to
day activities as well as relationships. According to the research, mobile phone
dependency has the ability to negatively impact significant areas of person‟s life. Some
major disadvantage of excessive use of the mobile phones is as follow:
1. Financial issues (such as debt, due to high cell phone bills)
2. Poor Social Skills
3. Relationship issues
4. Car accidents
5. Job loss
6. Academic difficulties
7. Low self-esteem

Majority of studies have examined the physical and mental health

effects of mobile phone radiation leading to cancer, nervous system disorders and
adverse procreative effects. Heavy use is also associated with many orthopedic related
problems like Text Claw Elbow and Text Neck and with posture. Constant use of Bright
screens and/or small text leads to strain in the eye of users. Eye strain is common
phenomena noted as „focusing too much on the screen or due to continuous texting and
playing games‟ as reported by the Center on Media and Child Health.

Psychological Problems

When faced with a person who is dependent on mobile phones, First is

the dilemma - is the behavior addictive or compulsive. Keeping in mind both the aspects
- i.e. - mobile phone usage can be addictive or compulsive; it has been found to cause
problems like depression, restlessness, insomnia and anxiety.
Researchers have found that the frequency of mobile phone use is
associated with mental health issues like sleep disorders and depression [13]. Others
[14] have also found that the frequency of using message services is associated with the
presence of psychological and behavioral symptoms; and this effect is mediated by self-
perception and personality factors. Yet another study has explored internet addiction and
text messaging addiction among adults and have found that both these conditions are
strongly associated with depression [15].
Poor sleep patterns or insomnia was one of the most common
issues seen. A study in Gothenberg, Sweden found out that high mobile phone use was
associated with sleep disturbances and symptoms of depression. Reports by top sleep
experts in The Daily Galaxy have raised serious concerns due to the more than sufficient
evidence showing that radiation from headphones affects deep sleep [16].

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Digital thumb is a troublesome problem which is caused due to

continuous usage of fingers especially the thumb over the small keypad on the cell
phones. Like Computer-related stress injuries, this ailment is occurs as students use the
cell phone excessively . Repetitive strain injuries like digital thumb, that result from
repetitive tasks (e.g. - typing on small buttons) has been mentioned by the Center on
Media and Health as a„Downside of Cell Phones‟. Similarly, loud music over the phone
may be a contributing factor for hearing loss. The FYI Living study [17] reported that the
response in a “distracted” listening test was late and of less amplitude in the group
exposed to cell phones.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Every new piece of technology has the potential to be both a

boon and a curse. Mobile phones, while they have brought people closer and have
enabled even the most remote person to access the internet and to engage in
educational, recreational and social activities; unrestricted use has the potential to cause
dependence. People with signs of dependence on or addiction to mobile phones display
an array of health and mental health issues. They show signs of compromised
functioning either in the presence of or due to the absence of the mobile devices – a
clear indicator that the technology is being abused. As psychologists and alert citizens, it
becomes our task to ensure that we do not allow ourselves to become dependent on
mobile phones; as well as to help those already showing signs of addiction and
dependence throw off the yolk of the device, and instead harness it to fulfill one‟s
potential.

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Acknowledgements – Nil.
Conflict of Interest – Nil.
Funding – Nil.

Indian Journal of Mental Health 2015 ; 2(3)

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