Comparison of risk and protective factors associated with smartphone addiction and Internet addiction

TLDR

Smartphone addiction has emerged as a growing concern driven by worldwide smartphone proliferation, and its unique characteristics—such as constant availability and primary use for interpersonal communication—may explain differences from other forms of addiction. The study examined risk and protective factors for smartphone addiction among college students and compared them to those associated with Internet addiction. A cross‑sectional survey of 448 South Korean college students administered validated scales for addiction, substance use, mood, anxiety, character strengths, and resilience, and the data were analyzed with multiple linear regression. Female gender, Internet use, alcohol consumption, and anxiety predicted smartphone addiction, while depression and temperance were protective; in contrast, male gender, smartphone use, anxiety, and wisdom/knowledge predicted Internet addiction, with courage serving as a protective factor, offering clinicians guidance for prevention and treatment.

Abstract

Background and Aims Smartphone addiction is a recent concern that has resulted from the dramatic increase in worldwide smartphone use. This study assessed the risk and protective factors associated with smartphone addiction in college students and compared these factors to those linked to Internet addiction. Methods College students ( N = 448) in South Korea completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale, the Young’s Internet Addiction Test, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Beck Depression Inventory I, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (Trait Version), the Character Strengths Test, and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analyses. Results The risk factors for smartphone addiction were female gender, Internet use, alcohol use, and anxiety, while the protective factors were depression and temperance. In contrast, the risk factors for Internet addiction were male gender, smartphone use, anxiety, and wisdom/knowledge, while the protective factor was courage. Discussion These differences may result from unique features of smartphones, such as high availability and primary use as a tool for interpersonal relationships. Conclusions Our findings will aid clinicians in distinguishing between predictive factors for smartphone and Internet addiction and can consequently be utilized in the prevention and treatment of smartphone addiction.