Is smartphone addiction really an addiction?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Growing research on technological addictions, particularly smartphone addiction.
• Existing literature often presumes smartphone addiction as a valid disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review literature on smartphone addiction.
• To determine if smartphone addiction meets the criteria for a disorder.
• To assess the suitability of the
• addiction
• diagnosis for problematic smartphone use.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies.
• Analysis of study methodologies and conclusions.
• Evaluation of evidence for addiction criteria.

Main Results:

• The majority of studies assume smartphone addiction exists.
• Insufficient evidence was found to support smartphone addiction as a distinct disorder.
• Observed behaviors are better described as problematic or maladaptive smartphone use.

Conclusions:

• Problematic smartphone use does not equate to addiction disorder.
• The term
• problematic use
• is more appropriate for excessive technology engagement.
• Future research should explore sociocultural contexts and compensatory functions of technology use.