Using a 10-question validated scale developed to assess children’s smartphone addiction, nearly 40% of college students qualified as “addicted” to smartphones, the study found.
“Our estimated prevalence is consistent with other reported studies in young adult populations globally, which is in the range of 30-45%,”
“Later use time was also significantly associated with smartphone addiction, and use after 1 o’clock gave a threefold increased risk,” the authors wrote.
That’s because “any LED spectrum light source can further suppress melatonin levels,” Polotsky said. Melatonin, secreted in a daily circadian rhythm, is often referred to as a “sleep hormone”, because we sleep better at night when levels reach a peak.
Response to studies
“This is a cross-sectional study, and as such can not lead to any firm conclusions about telephone use as a cause of reduced sleep quality,” said Bob Patton, a lecturer in clinical psychology at the University of Surrey, via email.
“However, it provides some compelling evidence that the nature of smartphone use and its related consequences are important considerations in tackling the new phenomenon of ‘smartphone addiction,'” said Patton, a leader in drugs, alcohol and addictive behavior.
Andrew Przybylski, a senior fellow and associate professor at the University of Oxford, disagreed that science has validated any “so-called” smartphone addiction “, as it is” not recognized by any global health body and is not a psychiatric disorder. “
“Readers should be careful to draw some firm conclusions about the effects of smartphone use in the general population, or the idea that they are addictive in an objective sense, on the basis of this work,” said Przybylski, who is also director. of research at the Oxford Internet Institute, by e-mail.
The authors acknowledged the limitations of the study, but stated: “Should smartphone addiction be established as a focus of clinical concern, those who use the phones after midnight or use the phones for 4 or more hours per day are likely to be at high risk.”
Fighting back to get zzz
If you or a loved one seems to have symptoms of smart device or internet addiction, experts have some suggestions.
Schedule timeouts. First, switch off the phone at certain times of the day, such as attending meetings, having dinner, playing with the children, and of course driving.
Ban apps from mobile devices. Remove social media apps, like Facebook and Twitter, from your phone, and just check in from your laptop. Try to wean yourself at 15-minute intervals at certain times of the day when it will not affect work or family life.
Replacement. Try to replace the smart device’s time with healthier activities such as meditating or interacting with real people.
Improve sleep. Do not put the mobile phone and the harmful blue light to bed. Use an old-fashioned alarm to wake you up.
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