Addiction to smartphones and social media can increase feelings of loneliness and social distress. These results were reached by scientists from the State University of Graduate Studies, led by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. results published In the journal Scientific Reports.
Students aged 17 to 40 from 16 universities in eight municipalities and provinces in China participated in the study. Subjects were asked to fill out special questionnaires to assess the level of smartphone addiction. The scientists also found out whether the volunteers felt lonely. The scale measuring loneliness consists of 20 items. A higher score indicated greater social isolation.
Researchers found a significantly negative relationship between smartphone addiction and social well-being. The results also showed that greater smartphone addiction was positively associated with severe loneliness. It is stated that this effect is evident in both men and women.
Scientists have suggested that the negative impact of smartphones may be related to the reluctance of addicted users to spend time outdoors, as well as the high risk of developing sleep disorders, depression, anxiety and other factors that reduce the quality of life.
Previously foundIt is harmful for people to constantly check their smartphones.