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Problematic Use of the Internet and Smartphones in University Students: 2006–2017

Author

Listed:
  • Xavier Carbonell

    (FPCEE Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08022 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Andrés Chamarro

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
    Serra Hunter Program, Generalitat de Catalunya, 08029 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Ursula Oberst

    (FPCEE Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08022 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Beatriz Rodrigo

    (FPCEE Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08022 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Mariona Prades

    (FPCEE Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, 08022 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

It has been more than a decade since a concern about the addictive use of the Internet and mobile phones was first expressed, and its possible inclusion into the lists of mental disorders has recently become a popular topic of scientific discussion. Thus, it seems to be a fitting moment to investigate the prevalence of this issue over time. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of the perception of problematic Internet and smartphone use in young people over the period 2006–2017. To this end, a questionnaire on Internet use habits and two questionnaires on the negative consequences of Internet and smartphone use were administered to a sample of 792 university students. The scores were then compared with the results of former studies that had used these questionnaires. The perception of problematic Internet and mobile phone use has increased over the last decade, social networks are considered responsible for this increase, and females are perceived to be more affected than males. The current study shows how strong smartphone and Internet addiction and social media overlap. Participants from 2017 report higher negative consequences of both Internet and mobile phone use than those from 2006, but long-term observations show a decrease in problematic use after a sharp increase in 2013. We conclude that the diagnosis of technological addictions is influenced by both time and social and culture changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Xavier Carbonell & Andrés Chamarro & Ursula Oberst & Beatriz Rodrigo & Mariona Prades, 2018. "Problematic Use of the Internet and Smartphones in University Students: 2006–2017," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:475-:d:135383
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daria J. Kuss & Lydia Harkin & Eiman Kanjo & Joel Billieux, 2018. "Problematic Smartphone Use: Investigating Contemporary Experiences Using a Convergent Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Daria J. Kuss & Mark D. Griffiths, 2011. "Online Social Networking and Addiction—A Review of the Psychological Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-25, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Lv, Jianping & Meng, Cuicui & Guo, Xinmeng & Fei, Junsong & Yuan, Tongshuang & Yue, Jingyi & Gao, Ren & Song, Qianqian & Zhao, Xixi & Mei, Songli, 2023. "The association between sex-specific typologies of mobile phone addiction, alexithymia and negative emotions among college students: A latent profile analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    3. Marta Kożybska & Iwona Radlińska & Marcin Kolwitz & Beata Karakiewicz, 2023. "Problematic Internet Use among Polish Students: Prevalence, Relationship to Sociodemographic Data and Internet Usage Patterns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Núria Aragay & Vicenç Vallès & Irene Ramos-Grille & Gemma Garrido & Enric Gamundi Grimalt & Elena Miranda Ruiz & Esther Jovell-Fernández, 2023. "Differences in Screen Addiction in the Past 15 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Dominika Wróbel-Dudzińska & Natalia Osial & Piotr Witold Stępień & Adrianna Gorecka & Tomasz Żarnowski, 2023. "Prevalence of Dry Eye Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors among University Students in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-17, January.
    6. Guan Yang & Rulan Shangguan & Yuanyuan Ke & Songtao Wang, 2022. "The Influence of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Craving Degree for University Students with Mobile Phone Dependency: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, July.

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