Prevalence of problematic smartphone usage and associated mental health outcomes amongst children and young people: a systematic review, meta-analysis and GRADE of the evidence

Abstract

BackgroundOver the past decade, smartphone use has become widespread amongst today’s children and young people (CYP) which parallels increases in poor mental health in this group. Simultaneously, media concern abounds about the existence of ‘smartphone addiction’ or problematic smartphone use. There has been much recent research concerning the prevalence of problematic smartphone use is in children and young people who use smartphones, and how this syndrome relates to mental health outcomes, but this has not been synthesized and critically evaluated.AimsTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the prevalence of PSU and quantify the association with mental health harms.MethodsA search strategy using Medical Subject Headings was developed and adapted for eight databases between January 1, 1st 2011 to October 15th 2017. No language restriction was applied. Of 924 studies identified, 41 were included in this review, three of which were cohort studies and 38 were cross sectional studies. The mental health outcomes were self-reported: depression; anxiety; stress; poor sleep quality; and decreased educational attainment, which were synthesized according to an a priori protocol.ResultsThe studies included 41,871 CYP, and 55% were female. The median prevalence of PSU amongst CYP was 23.3% (14.0–31.2%). PSU was associated with an increased odds of depression (OR = 3.17;95%CI 2.30–4.37;I2 = 78%); increased anxiety (OR = 3.05 95%CI 2.64–3.53;I2 = 0%); higher perceived stress (OR = 1.86;95%CI 1.24–2.77;I2 = 65%); and poorer sleep quality (OR = 2.60; 95%CI; 1.39–4.85, I2 = 78%).ConclusionsPSU was reported in approximately one in every four CYP and accompanied by an increased odds of poorer mental health. PSU is an evolving public health concern that requires greater study to determine the boundary between helpful and harmful technology use. Policy guidance is needed to outline harm reduction strategies.

Smartphone addiction and its association with common mental disorders among students attending the university of Dschang, West region, Cameroon

“…A global review by Sohn and colleagues found that there is a significant association between problematic smartphone use and common mental health disorders [17]. Albeit our results concur with the findings of this review, it should be noted that the review synthesised evidence from Europe, America and Asia and not Africa [17]. Further studies in the sub-Saharan African context are therefore needed to make more meaningful comparisons.…”

Self-Perception of Dependence as an Indicator of Smartphone Addiction. Establishment of a Cut-off Point in the SPAI-SP Inventory

“…As other researchers claim problematic mobile use is an evolving public health concern that requires greater study to determine the boundary between helpful and harmful technology use [11]. The determination of a risk score can allow in the future the establishment of mobile dependence prevalence studies, as well as the establishment of early detection programs and adequate treatment of this current public health problem.…”

“…This symptomatology is assimilated to substances addiction, giving rise to the lack of control of impulses, dependence, craving, anxiety, interferences in daily life, in the dream and / or in the personal relationships, among other symptoms [9]. Nowadays, the problematic use of technologies is considered a social problem, being adolescents and young adults the biggest risk group [10,11] .…”

Parents perception on pattern and effects of usage of electronic devices among school going children

“…12 Samantha John et al, in their study revealed that when children are withdrawn from smartphones they were distressed and anxious, depressed, angry and develop sleep disturbances, whereas in this study showed 60% of the study group had the same experience. 13 Nirman Kaur et al, depicts that there is a steep rise in screen time in small age group, children who had screen time <1 hr at 14 months of age started watching screen for >2 hours/ day when they are 30 months of age. In this study 82% of the study groups felt that their children activities are mainly connected with electronic gadgets.…”