Recent studies have uncovered a connection between teenagers experiencing depression, anxiety, and insomnia with what is known as Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU), which shows characteristics akin to addiction. Research conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College London revealed that slightly over 33% of the participants reported PSU, resulting in a twofold increase in anxiety and a threefold increase in depression.
These studies spanned multiple weeks in 2020 and 2022, showcasing that 18.7% of 16-18-year-olds and 14.5% of 13-16-year-olds exhibited signs of PSU. The older age group was subsequently two to three times more prone to anxiety and depression. Notably, 44% of the younger participants displaying PSU showed signs of anxiety, compared to 26% without PSU, and 55% exhibited symptoms of depression, in contrast to 35% without PSU.
Given the alarming statistics, attention is rightfully drawn to this issue. However, rather than solely removing phones from teenagers, it is crucial to delve into understanding what PSU entails, how it was assessed in these studies, and the strategies employed by those acknowledging it as a concern.
Insights on Addiction, Screen Time, and Apps
While the studies involved a relatively small sample size – 657 16-18-year-olds and 69 13-16-year-olds – their impact remains significant. However, New Scientist notes that Problematic Smartphone Use is not officially recognized as a diagnosable condition in the U.S. or the U.K. The research papers utilized the Smartphone Addiction Scale to identify PSU. Developed in 2013, this scale consists of 10 questions regarding one’s phone and app interactions, requiring agreement or disagreement responses.
An intriguing aspect of the research is the awareness among teens regarding PSU or its potential repercussions, with many actively implementing measures to address it. Dr. Nicola Kalk, a senior author of both papers, noted, “Many young individuals in our studies employed strategies for reduction, indicating their proactive steps in managing smartphone usage. Tactics such as silent mode, disabling notifications, and keeping the phone away at bedtime were found to be most effective.” These strategies align with those adopted by university students to curtail smartphone usage.
The studies did not find a direct link between PSU and screen time but suggested that certain apps might exacerbate its effects. According to the research, “screen time did not correlate with anxiety or depression in 16-18 year olds,” and while utilization of WhatsApp, gaming, and internet was similar across groups, PSU was more prevalent among TikTok and Instagram users.
Efforts from Tech Brands to Address the Issue
At a time where companies like HMD are developing devices to mitigate smartphone use, many youths are transitioning to feature phones to reduce smartphone and app dependency. Notably, initiatives like The Better Phone Project by HMD involve parental input in creating devices that facilitate better phone management for children, with features like digital detox modes on phones like the HMD Skyline.
Prior to this, efforts were already underway to promote a healthy relationship with smartphones, exemplified by Google’s Digital Wellbeing platform, which shone a light on phone usage and potential addiction upon its launch in 2018. Other tech companies follow suit with tools like Oppo and OnePlus’s Zen Mode, while Apple offers customizable Focus modes.
Associations between smartphones (or technology in general) and anxiety and depression are not novel, though not universally accepted. Chris Ferguson, a clinical psychology professor at Stetson University in Florida, stated, “Technology overuse is better understood as a new manifestation of age-old disorders like depression, anxiety, or ADHD, rather than a fresh set of issues. Even without smartphones, these youths might still grapple with excessive behaviors.” However, Ferguson acknowledged the necessity to redefine our approach to technology based on the data, hinting at the potential positive impact of emerging devices addressing PSU.
This research highlights the proactive stance of affected individuals in recognizing and addressing PSU and offers hope for effective solutions tailored to mitigate its impact on teens.
