Investigation of nomophobia and smartphone addiction predictors among adolescents in Turkey: Demographic variables and academic performance

Highlights

•	Demographics have the predicting symptoms of smartphone addiction and nomophobia.
•	Achievement is predictive of smartphone addiction and nomophobia.
•	There is a significant relationship between smartphone addiction and nomophobia.

Abstract

Most individuals spend a great amount of time on their smartphones. The intense usage of smartphones leads to some physical symptoms, good and bad feelings, pathological addiction, depression, symptoms such as fear–anxiety, productivity and low academic achievement. For this reason, prevention activities must be prioritized when dealing with the intense and uncontrolled usage of smartphones. The aim of this study is to determine nomophobia levels and smartphone addiction among 12–18 age group secondary and high school students and to investigate the demographic and academic variables predicting these levels. Designed with a relational model, the population of this research consists of 612 students studying at all levels of secondary school and high school. Personal information form and two different scales were used in the research. Descriptive analyses and hierarchical linear multiple regression analysis were used in the analysis of the data obtained by means of data collection in the research. As a result of the research, there is a significant relationship between smartphone addiction and nomophobia. In this study, Model 4 has been identified to be the most important predictor of smartphone addiction and nomophobia. In Model 4, variables related to smartphone usage are included in the analysis. Recommendations have been made according to the results of the study.

Keywords:

• Smartphone usage
• Nomophobia
• Smartphone addiction
• Demographic variables
• ICT usage
• Secondary school students
• High school students