Digital dependency: Exploring university students' smartphone usage patterns in higher education

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to explore the smartphone addiction in university students. The study is descriptive and a cross-sectional survey method was used to collect the data. Students studying at Public University, Multan were the population of the study. A random sampling technique was employed to select the desired sample. 889 students participated in the study. A phone Addiction Scale was used in the study as well as a demographic data sheet to find information about the respondents. It included 20 items on 4 subscales of SPAS. A five-point Likert-type rating scale was used in the instrument. Relevant statistics were applied to find answers to the research questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Prior permission was taken to collect the data. Research ethics were followed. The perception of students regarding smartphones fell above the scale median near the scale point Strongly Agree. Based on gender, qualification, and a significant difference was observed in smartphone addiction. Teachers, parents, and the media should all contribute to raising awareness of this issue by informing people about the negative effects of SPA in print and online media. To occupy students' time, it is advised to start engaging them in healthful activities like workshops, sports, and lectures.