Is smartphone addiction really an addiction?

Abstract

AimsIn light of the rise in research on technological addictions and smartphone addiction in particular, the aim of this paper was to review the relevant literature on the topic of smartphone addiction and determine whether this disorder exists or if it does not adequately satisfy the criteria for addiction.MethodsWe reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies on smartphone addiction and analyzed their methods and conclusions to make a determination on the suitability of the diagnosis “addiction” to excessive and problematic smartphone use.ResultsAlthough the majority of research in the field declares that smartphones are addictive or takes the existence of smartphone addiction as granted, we did not find sufficient support from the addiction perspective to confirm the existence of smartphone addiction at this time. The behaviors observed in the research could be better labeled as problematic or maladaptive smartphone use and their consequences do not meet the severity levels of those caused by addiction.Discussion and conclusionsAddiction is a disorder with severe effects on physical and psychological health. A behavior may have a similar presentation as addiction in terms of excessive use, impulse control problems, and negative consequences, but that does not mean that it should be considered an addiction. We propose moving away from the addiction framework when studying technological behaviors and using other terms such as “problematic use” to describe them. We recommend that problematic technology use is to be studied in its sociocultural context with an increased focus on its compensatory functions, motivations, and gratifications.

Future Teachers’ Smartphone Uses and Dependence

“…Figures prompt reflection, such as the fact that between 2011 and 2017, 259 people died when doing a selfie [17]. On top of this, we have the problematic use [18] of these devices, understood as the compulsive use that leads to a disorder and deterioration of social relations, physical health, emotional well-being, or academic or work performance [19][20][21][22].…”

Beyond the rhetoric of tech addiction: why we should be discussing tech habits instead (and how)

“…Aaron and Lipton (2018) have recently claimed that "students' attraction to device use is driven in much the same way an addict is driven to their drug of choice [ …] Students need their 'fix'" (p. 374). Even skeptics like Panova and Carbonell (2018), who criticize frivolous use of the term addiction, begrudgingly acknowledge that "there is no other accepted term for a behavior that manifests similar problems with a lack of self-control, attachment, high use, and problematic consequences" (p. 256). The whole purpose of this paper, however, has been to argue such a term does in fact exist: Habits.…”

Moving beyond addiction: An attachment theory framework for understanding young adults' relationships with their smartphones

“…This is supported by several studies, which have linked attachment insecurity with smartphone addiction (Ge, ; Ghasempour & Mahmoodi‐Aghdam, ; Monacis, de Palo, Griffiths, & Sinatra, ). However, given concerns around the atheoretical application of the medical‐addiction model to such a novel, quasi‐normalized, and potentially functional dependence on smartphones (e.g., Billieux, Maurage, et al, ; Billieux, Schimmenti, et al, ; Ellis, ; Panova & Carbonell, ; Park, ; Pivetta et al, ), this attachment framework may provide insight into the psychological processes underlying some of the alarming behaviors that have emerged alongside increasing smartphone use (e.g., texting while driving; Bianchi & Phillips, ; Weller et al, ). Hence, this understanding could help inform the development of interventions, educational programming, and even marketing campaigns aimed at promoting healthy and responsible use of smartphones that maximize their benefits and minimize their potentially detrimental impacts.…”

“…Moreover, with about two thirds of people reporting distress upon being separated from their phone (King et al, ), a proportion that is even higher for young adults (Sharma, Sharma, Sharma, & Wavare, ), some degree of dependence on smartphones appears to be a normative phenomenon rather than an anomaly or a disorder. Indeed, several researchers have voiced concern around the application of the medical‐addiction model to such a novel, quasi‐normalized, and potentially functional dependence on smartphones (e.g., Billieux, Maurage, Lopez‐Fernandez, Kuss, & Griffiths, ; Billieux, Schimmenti, Khazaal, Maurage, & Heeren, ; Ellis, ; Panova & Carbonell, ; Park, ; Pivetta, Harkin, Billieux, Kanjo, & Kuss, ). Specifically, some have explained that conceptualizing excessive behaviors (e.g., problematic smartphone use) within the addiction model may be a simplification of an individual's psychological functioning, offering only limited clinical relevance (Billieux, Schimmenti, et al, ).…”

“…Unsurprisingly, this was found to be the case, and many have pushed to include smartphone addiction in future editions of the DSM. However, given its atheoretical origins, others have questioned whether problematic smartphone use is best understood as an addictive behavior (e.g., Billieux, Maurage, et al, ; Billieux, Schimmenti, et al, ; Ellis, ; Panova & Carbonell, ; Park, ; Pivetta et al, ). For example, a study by Billieux, Phillippot et al (2015) concluded that, when applied to everyday behaviors, such as overuse of smartphones, the addiction model might have limited clinical relevance as it does not identify etiopathological processes and recommends interventions targeting symptoms rather than their causes.…”