by A groundbreaking study conducted by Canadian researchers has provided one of the most comprehensive insights into global smartphone use to date. The study, which surveyed thousands of individuals across almost 200 countries, revealed unexpected patterns of use that challenge current definitions of smartphone addiction.
Despite the ubiquity of smartphones in today’s society, researchers are still racing to understand the impact of this technology on our well-being. A study published last year focused on problematic smartphone use in 14 countries and found that young women reported the highest rates of what researchers referred to as Problematic Mobile Phone Use (PMPU).
The new study aimed to expand upon this data set to determine whether similar patterns of problematic use were consistent across diverse geographical locations. To achieve this, the researchers surveyed 50,423 participants hailing from 195 countries. Each participant completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version (SAS-SV), a survey comprising 10 statements for participants to rate.
One of the study’s most remarkable findings was that approximately 29-31% of participants were classified as exhibiting a high risk of smartphone addiction, as determined by their SAS-SV scores. Among the 41 countries with the most extensive data (over 100 participants), the study found that young women consistently displayed the highest risk of problematic smartphone use. Co-author Jay Olsen noted that this finding was unexpected and remarkably consistent across the globe.
While the study uncovered regional variations, such as higher rates of problematic smartphone use in Southeast Asia compared to Europe, the exact causes for these differences remain unclear. Olsen speculated that cultural disparities and technological trends could be contributing factors. For instance, Southeast Asian countries may rely more heavily on smartphones due to the limited adoption of laptops and desktop computers.
However, Olsen acknowledges the limitations of the study’s data. He doubts that one-third of smartphone users worldwide are addicted to their devices in the traditional sense. As smartphone usage continues to evolve, future research needs to adopt a more nuanced approach to understanding and measuring smartphone use and its potential impact.
The study also raises questions about the current definition of smartphone addiction. For instance, SAS-SV scores indicated that 56% of university-aged women in Canada exhibited problematic smartphone use. While the data suggests high rates of addiction, it may be more reflective of a shift in social norms and the increased integration of smartphones into our daily lives.
“It may not make sense to say the average female student in Canada is clinically addicted to her phone,” Olsen muses. “Maybe it’s more that society has changed, and excessive smartphone use has become more normalized.”
As smartphones continue to drive global connectivity and transform various aspects of our lives, further research is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of how their use affects individuals in different cultures and regions. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the evolving relationship between humans and their smartphones, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to studying and defining smartphone addiction.
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- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
