Patterns of Smartphone Usage among Undergraduate Students in Selected Departments in Abia State University, Uturu

Aim: This study investigated smartphone usage patterns, associated factors, and awareness of smartphone addiction among undergraduate students of Abia State University, Uturu.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used, with a sample size of 368 selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected via a questionnaire, focusing on age, gender, academic field, and socioeconomic characteristics.

Results: The findings revealed that a majority (57.2%) of students have used smartphones for over five years, with 45% starting at ages 16-18. Smartphone use is primarily for social media (40.2%), followed by boredom (33.1%) and communication (35.1%). Notably, 45.9% of students generate income using their smartphones, and marital status significantly influences smartphone use for income and social media engagement. A high level of awareness (92.1%) regarding smartphone addiction was found, with decreased productivity and poor academic performance being the most recognized negative effects.

Conclusion: The study concluded that smartphone addiction is a significant issue, with prolonged use linked to negative impacts on academic performance and daily life. The findings suggest the need for interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of smartphone addiction among university students.

Smartphone addiction, Undergraduate students, Social media, Academic performance, Mental health, Abia state university

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