Smartphone Addiction and Its Consequence on the Perceived Threat in Health, Family Social and Economic Areas

This study deals with the relationship between subjective perceptions of smartphone addiction and the perceived threat in health, family life, social and economic areas. Subjective perceptions of smartphone addiction were measured by experiencing the discomfort of missing a mobile phone. The sample consisted of respondents (a total of 2,952) who reported using a smartphone. The hypotheses were tested using a one-way ANOVA test. The research found that respondents who often missed their smartphone most strongly perceived the threat in health, family and social areas. These people are not constantly dependent on smartphone use, but they perceive the threat of overuse very strongly in the three areas mentioned. Respondents nervous about missing their smartphone perceived the threat most strongly in the economic area. This group is at strong risk of nomophobia or fear of missing out on a mobile phone (FoMO) due to the loss of critical reflection and control of smartphone addiction. The results of this study complement other studies and may predict smartphone addiction.