Distinct patterns of Internet and smartphone-related problems among adolescents by gender: Latent class analysis

Abstract

Background and objectivesThe ubiquitous Internet connections by smartphones weakened the traditional boundaries between computers and mobile phones. We sought to explore whether smartphone-related problems differ from those of computer use according to gender using latent class analysis (LCA).MethodsAfter informed consents, 555 Korean middle-school students completed surveys on gaming, Internet use, and smartphone usage patterns. They also completed various psychosocial instruments. LCA was performed for the whole group and by gender. In addition to ANOVA and χ2 tests, post-hoc tests were conducted to examine differences among the LCA subgroups.ResultsIn the whole group (n = 555), four subtypes were identified: dual-problem users (49.5%), problematic Internet users (7.7%), problematic smartphone users (32.1%), and “healthy” users (10.6%). Dual-problem users scored highest for addictive behaviors and other psychopathologies. The gender-stratified LCA revealed three subtypes for each gender. With dual-problem and healthy subgroup as common, problematic Internet subgroup was classified in the males, whereas problematic smartphone subgroup was classified in the females in the gender-stratified LCA. Thus, distinct patterns were observed according to gender with higher proportion of dual-problem present in males. While gaming was associated with problematic Internet use in males, aggression and impulsivity demonstrated associations with problematic smartphone use in females.ConclusionsAn increase in the number of digital media-related problems was associated with worse outcomes in various psychosocial scales. Gaming may play a crucial role in males solely displaying Internet-related problems. The heightened impulsivity and aggression seen in our female problematic smartphone users requires further research.

Adolescents’ Addictive Phone Use: Associations with Eating Behaviors and Adiposity

“…Consistent with prior research in countries outside of the US [9,33], we found that girls had higher rates of addictive phone use and no differences emerged by race/ethnicity or parent education level. Given the social features of several popular smartphone apps (e.g., social media, texting or communication apps), the higher utilization of social media by girls [1], and the salience of peer relations in girls during adolescence, it is understandable that they would be at heightened risk for excessive phone use and dysfunction related to phone use.…”

“…We should also note that a larger sample size would be beneficial to conduct more sensitive analyses to understand how the associations may be moderated by demographic factors (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender). As has been found in prior research on problematic phone use (e.g., [9,33]), girls may be at greater risk for compulsive use. Additional research should consider gender and stage of development (early adolescent versus older adolescent/emerging adult) in future research.…”

The Matthew Effect in Recovery from Smartphone Addiction in a 6-Month Longitudinal Study of Children and Adolescents

“…PSU has been associated with depression, anxiety, aggression, decreased sleep duration/quality, and other addictive behaviors [4,[9][10][11][12][13][14]. It is also related to physical health risks such as dry eye symptoms, musculoskeletal pain, and accidents [15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

E-Sport

“…Die Computer-und Internet-Sucht ist zudem seit Sommer 2018 offiziell von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) als Krankheit anerkannt und wird weltweit mittels standardisierter Erhebungsinstrumente diagnostiziert [14,22,26,29]. Zudem führen Computerspiele auch deshalb zur Sucht, weil in ihnen (wie früher in Film und Fernsehen auch schon) für den Kon-sum von Alkohol, Nikotin und andere Drogen geworben wird [15,21,24, ▶ Abb. 3).…”