Factors Influencing Cell Phone Addiction in Adolescents

Koo, Hyun Young; Park, Hyun Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to identify factors influencing cell phone addiction in adolescents.
METHODS
The participants were 548 adolescents in two middle schools and four high schools. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires which were constructed to include a cell phone addiction scale, an impulsiveness scale, media specific factors, and cell phone use. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program.
RESULTS
Of the adolescents, 88.7% reported being average users, 8.4%, heavy users, and 2.9%, cell phone addicted. Cell phone addiction was significantly correlated with impulsiveness and media specific factors. Significant factors influencing cell phone addiction were gender, sending and receiving text messages on weekends, monthly call charges, impulsiveness, recreational reasons, and cultural reasons.
CONCLUSION
The above findings indicate that cell phone addiction in adolescents is influenced by gender, text message use, call charges, impulsiveness and media specific factors. Therefore the development of prevention and management programs for cell phone addiction in adolescents should be based on these factors which influence cell phone addiction.