Factors Contributing to Mobile Phone Dependence Amongst Young People—Educational Implications

Isabel Martínez-Sánchez, Rosa M. Goig-Martínez, José Álvarez-Rodríguez and Manuel Fernández-Cruz
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Isabel Martínez-Sánchez: Department of Research Methods and Diagnosis in Education, Faculty of Education, National University of Distance Education (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Rosa M. Goig-Martínez: Department of Research Methods and Diagnosis in Education, Faculty of Education, National University of Distance Education (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
José Álvarez-Rodríguez: Department of Pedagogy, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Manuel Fernández-Cruz: Department of Didactic and School Organization, Universidad de Granada; 18071 Granada, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-11

Abstract: The use of mobile devices facilitates access to knowledge and is at the base of the education of the future. Although the digital society has contributed a number of benefits, it has also been associated with worrying behaviors. The study design consisted of a quantitative approach that was descriptive, inferential and ex post facto in nature. Its purpose was to better understand the opinion of young people regarding smartphone use and describe dependence deriving from regular use. The sample was formed of 420 students from the Faculty of Education at the University of Granada. Results indicate that mobile phone use has displaced use of other technologies such as the television and is associated with communication and recreational activities. In addition, a profile was identified for young people at greater risk of developing a dependence on their mobile devices. This profile constituted female smartphone users with recreational motives and individuals who exceeded mobile phone use by more than six hours a day. To improve the educational use of smartphones, prevention and intervention plans must be designed which ensure correct management of this device, taking advantage of the benefits they offer, while avoiding problems derived from inappropriate use.

Keywords: information and communication technology; mobile phones; dependence; youth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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