Smartphone app addiction: An analysis by gender and academic progress in information technology students.

Abstract

This study analyzed smartphone use and app addiction in 110 undergraduate students in information technology at a Mexican public university. The SABAS instrument was used and correlated with hours of smartphone use, fear of being without it, and dependence on it. Responses were compared by gender and academic progress. The level of addiction was positively correlated with hours of use, fear and dependence. Females used the smartphone more than males. Students browsed the web more in initial semesters than in advanced semesters. The need to design and implement strategies to promote balanced smartphone use is suggested.