Effects of Smartphone Addiction, Social Media Addiction and Fear of Missing Out on University Students’ Phubbing: A Structural Equation Model

ABSTRACT

Phubbing is a multidimensional disorder in which many addictions intersect due to the nature of smartphones. Therefore, determining the variables that predict the concept of phubbing, the chronic addiction of the digital age, is expected to provide important insights into this behavior. In this regard, the main purpose of the current research is to examine the impact of smartphone addiction, social media addiction, and fear of missing out (FoMO) on phubbing. Data for the study were collected from 208 students at a state university in Turkey. Randomly selected students were reached by the convenience sampling method. The study was conducted in the spring semester of the academic year 2021–2022. The data collection instruments used were a personal information form, the smartphone addiction scale, the social media scale, the FoMO scale, and the Phubbing scale. The obtained data were analyzed using the structural equation model. The research results show that smartphone addiction and social media addiction influence phubbing. On the other hand, FoMO was found to have no influence on phubbing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tarık Talan

Dr. TarıkTalan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University. He has received the BSc degree in Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology from Inonu University in 2005; MSc degree in Educational Technology from Suleyman Demirel University in 2014 and PhD degree from Istanbul University Informatics Department in 2018. His research areas include Meta-Analysis, Meta-thematic Analysis, Bibliometric Analysis, Blended Learning, and Use of Social Media in Education.

Yunus Doğan

Yunus Doğan Ph.D, has taught English at various K12 grades, and currently works as an Associate Professor at a University in Turkey. His research interests include Technology-Enhanced Learning, Individual Differences in SLA and Virtual Learning Environments.

Yusuf Kalinkara

Yusuf Kalinkara is an Instructor at the Information Technology Department of Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University. He completed his undergraduate degree in Computer and Instructional Technology Education at Ataturk University in 2010, and his Master's degree in Computer and Instructional Technology at Inonu University in 2017. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree in the Computer and Instructional Technology Department at Firat University and has conducted research in education and technology. His main research areas include Metaverse, Artificial Intelligence, Instructional Technology and Distance Learning.