Mobile phone dependence and its predictors among school-going children: A cross-sectional study

Background: Despite its considerable health risks, the growing prevalence of smartphone dependence among adolescents is a serious issue that often goes unnoticed. This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of mobile phone dependence among school-going children. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 school-going children aged 10–18 years in urban Mysuru, South India, from November 2023 to March 2024. A standardized self-administered questionnaire was employed for data collection. Mobile phone dependence was assessed using a self-designed 20-item Mobile Phone Dependence Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23. Results: The prevalence of mobile phone dependence in the participants was 60.4%. High school children showed significantly higher rates of mobile phone addiction ( P = 0.004). Children who owned smartphones (98.5%) and had access to the Internet (97.8%) showed a higher prevalence of dependence. The children with mobile phone dependence showed blurry vision (77.1%), tingling sensation (87.5%), and burning sensation in the eyes (86.3%). Having own mobile phone (odds ratio [OR] 6.109, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.084–34.404) and the duration of mobile phone use (OR 1.379, 95% CI 1.13–1.683) were independent predictors of mobile phone addiction. Conclusion: Smartphone dependence is highly prevalent among school-going children, particularly adolescents. Access to personal mobile phones and longer duration of mobile phone use emerged as significant predictors of dependence. Early preventive strategies, awareness programs, and parental regulation of mobile phone use are essential to mitigate the growing public health concern of mobile phone dependence among children.