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Robots are becoming an increasingly popular element of the developing technological reality. A companion (social) robot can be defined as an autonomous machine that recognises other robots and people and engages in social interactions. Robots of this type are designed to serve people, so they often act as guides, assistants, companions, guardians, teachers and domestic pets. This study aims to define and operationalise the components and synthetically measure the social awareness (index) concerning the usability of a companion robot in everyday life. A comprehensive new research tool was developed as part of the study in the form of an original standardised interview questionnaire by the CATI/CAWI technique. Empirical studies show that an increase in social acceptance requires that potential consumers be provided with the necessary information to know the technologies better and improve their digital skills related to social robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study assessed the relationship between social media use and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). We calculated the prevalence of BDD in our sample and explored factors that may be associated with BDD. Various factors that we explored include sociodemographic characteristics, body image perceptions, and specific social media platforms used. The key focus of our study is understanding the impact of social media on mental health, specifically in the context of BDD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey that included the standardized Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ). Data on social media use were collected through self-reported usage patterns. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify associations. Results: Increased overall social media use was associated with BDD (p = 0.030). The prevalence of BDD in our sample was 1.8%. Age, being single and being a student were associated with BDD, with p values of 0.004, 0.023, and < 0.001, respectively. BDD was associated with comparing one's body image with that of people on social media (p = 0.001). BDD was associated with judging other people based on their appearance (p < 0.001). Using social media in the fields of celebrities (p = 0.020), fashion (p = 0.025), music and songs (p < 0.001) were associated with BDD. Conclusions: Increased social media use is associated with BDD, but different patterns of social media use may affect this relationship, indicating the need for further research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study assessed the relationship between social media use and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). We calculated the prevalence of BDD in our sample and explored factors that may be associated with BDD. Various factors that we explored include sociodemographic characteristics, body image perceptions, and specific social media platforms used. The key focus of our study is understanding the impact of social media on mental health, specifically in the context of BDD. Methods This was a cross-sectional online survey that included the standardized Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ). Data on social media use were collected through self-reported usage patterns. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify associations. Results Increased overall social media use was associated with BDD (p = 0.030). The prevalence of BDD in our sample was 1.8%. Age, being single and being a student were associated with BDD, with p values of 0.004, 0.023, and

Smartphones are the principal instrument for internet access among adolescents and pre-adolescents in many industrialized countries. However, research on the long-term correlates of age at first access to these devices concerning life outcomes is scarce. This study contributes to the literature by collecting data from 3,247 Italian students in grade 10. Through OLS and logistic regressions, we investigate socio-demographics' role in predicting the age of first smartphone access and the associations between the age of access and selected life outcomes. The moderating effect of socio-demographics on such relationships is also investigated through multiple-interaction models. Results suggest that females and students from less-educated families are more likely to receive smartphones earlier. Early smartphone access is negatively associated with adolescents' well-functioning. Finally, deferring access reduces the gender gap in language proficiency, digital skills and life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Distractions are ubiquitous in today's technology-saturated environments, an issue that significantly impacts learning contexts employing digital technologies and yields detrimental effects on learning. Digital self-control tools, which aim to assist users in their efforts to reduce digital distractions, are numerous and readily available. Despite several dedicated empirical studies focusing on specific tools, there remains a notable lack of information regarding their daily use and helpfulness. Furthermore, the sheer variety of these tools prompts questions about their universal helpfulness and the potential influence of individual differences. To address these issues, we surveyed a sample of higher-education students, totaling 273 individuals. These students reported on their media use, satisfaction with learning, and experiences with features of digital self-control tools. Our study's findings indicate a discrepancy in the perception and awareness of these features; those deemed most helpful are among the least known, and conversely, common features are often perceived as unhelpful. Our research also uncovered a negative correlation between habitual media use and the use of less restrictive features. Another identified issue was constraints on the use of these tools for learning, as platforms often serve dual purposes for both education and entertainment. We delve into these practical problems and propose future research directions to further advance the understanding of digital self-control tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health concerns due to excess use of technology, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, require increased research studies that explore the role of technology in users' wellbeing. This article aims to provide a conceptualization of digital wellbeing (DWB) in hospitality, or wellbeing in digital settings. An integrative literature review was used to identify three main enablers of DWB in hospitality: digital devices, digital interfaces, and digital applications. A conceptual model of DWB in the hospitality industry was created emphasizing the importance of designing digital experiences that foster positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement of users to support their hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing. The paper provides insights for the hospitality sector to enhance DWB. Future research should focus on empirical analyses of users' perceptions to refine and validate the proposed model and examine ethical issues concerning digital wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Digital technologies proliferate in many people’s lives around the world with over 65% of these technology users being online. Children and youth are among the most prominent adopters of digital technologies in forms such as video gaming, social media, and online shopping. Problematic use of digital technologies can lead to poorer school/work performance, neglect of self-care skills, and comorbidities with other mental health issues. However, when used non-problematically, digital technology can also contribute to improving health and well-being. With the abundance of literature published, many reviews have sought to collate literature on treatment and interventions for children and youth with varying results. Thus, our proposed systematic review aims to synthesize current systematic reviews and meta-analyses on interventions and treatment of problematic digital technology use in children and youth (up to 25 years old). Methods As part of a three-paper series, a systematic search was completed in PsycINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. Grey literature databases of the World Health Organization (IRIS database) and ClinicalTrials.gov were also searched. Furthermore, hand-searching of reference lists was also conducted. Title and abstract screening, followed by full-text screening, were completed by at least two independent reviewers. For this review, the extractions and the quality of selected reviews will be assessed using AMSTAR 2.0 by two authors independently and reviewed by two additional authors. Results Results will be presented in narrative and tabular form. The results of this study are expected to offer insights into the populations of children and youth studied, treatments/interventions provided, outcomes, results, limitations, and conclusions of literature from the past five years. Feasibility and generalizability of the reviews will also be discussed. Conclusions Methodological strengths and weaknesses of reviewed studies will point to gaps in knowledge and can be used to inform future areas of policy and research.

The rapid development of technology is making it faster and more accessible for people worldwide to communicate and socialise. However, exposure to and use of online social media can harm well-being and psychosocial development, including mental health. This study investigates the relationship between perceived stress and digital well-being with social connectedness as a mediator variable. The research participants were recruited by convenience sampling, including 242 students and 100 workers. The regression analysis shows that the study's result implies that stress as a determinant of mental health has a mixed impact on overall digital well-being based on an individual's social connectedness. The findings of this study indicate potential long-term benefits or drawbacks in the debate regarding the use of digital media and technology in stressful situations for active users of digital media and technology, particularly among students.

This article presents an exploration of conversational chatbots designed to alleviate loneliness among older adults. In addition to technical evaluation, it delves into effective communication between these systems and this demographic group, considering linguistic nuances, communicative preferences, and specific emotional needs. The intrinsic importance of chatbots as innovative solutions in combating loneliness is highlighted, emphasizing their ability to be understanding and empathetic allies, contributing to emotional well-being and socialization. The article explores how improved emotional well-being can positively impact the health and quality of life of older adults. The methodology, rooted in triangulation between a literature review and qualitative research through interviews and focus groups with older adults, provides a comprehensive insight into the findings. Ethical, technical, and design considerations such as privacy, autonomy, technology adaptation, and usability are also addressed. The article concludes with practical recommendations for developing user-friendly interfaces that encourage the active participation of older adults in chatbots. This holistic approach not only analyzes the technical effectiveness of chatbots in mitigating loneliness in older adults but delves into human, ethical, and practical aspects, enriching the understanding and implementation of these agents for social and emotional support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a growing need for social media platforms to offer services that preserve and promote users' digital wellbeing, including better protection of personal data and balanced technology usage. However, the current business model of social media is often seen as in conflict with users' digital wellbeing. In 2020, a study investigated users' willingness to pay monetary fees for social media digital wellbeing services. In the present work, we replicated this study in Q4 of 2022, aiming to explore any changes in interest and willingness to pay for these services. In addition, we extended the replication by conducting qualitative analysis on participants' comments to gain deeper insight and identify reasons for payment and reasons for rejecting to pay. Data were collected from 262 participants through an online questionnaire. The survey focused on four services: better data protection, less use of data for marketing, aiding users in controlling their prolonged usage, and reducing fake news and radicalisation on social media. The results showed that the willingness to pay for these services was significantly higher in 2022 compared to the results published in 2020. Participants expressed concerns about the feasibility and fairness of the alternative business model, which requires users to pay for safety and support. Our findings suggest a growing interest in digital wellbeing services, emphasizing the need for social media platforms to assess the feasibility of alternative business models, identify user segments, and take measures to enhance consumers’ trust, accordingly.

The ever-changing digital context, digital habits and pressures, demands and practices, often contribute to online learners experiencing burnout, stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation, cognitive overwhelm, and work-life imbalance, just to mention a few issues identified in literature. With the rise of online learning offerings, an increasing number of educators across diverse contexts and disciplines are faced with questions pertaining to the optimal experience and design for online learning. Current research has highlighted both positive and negative impacts of teaching and learning in the digital space. This online learning design debate has identified a need for practices that contribute to the holistic wellbeing of learners rather than merely cognitive outcomes. There is a need for an evidence-based pedagogical framework centred on wellbeing that enables the creation of learning “by design”. This research, applying secondary data analysis and a mindfulness-informed lens, results in such a framework, i.e., the DW-FOLD: Digital Wellness Framework for Online Learning – to guide intentional use of technology and online learning pedagogical principles that ensure active and meaningful learning while using technology for the good of all learners.

In recent years, concerns over the potential negative impacts of social network sites (SNS) on users’ digital wellbeing are on the rise. These concerns have sparked a growing demand for SNS to introduce changes to their business model and offer features that prioritize users’ wellbeing, even if it means introducing fees to users. Still, it is questionable whether such a new model is welcomed by users and commercially valid. In this paper, we investigate (i) people’s willingness to pay (WTP) for digital wellbeing services designed to foster more autonomy, control, and personal growth in users and (ii) the influence of sociodemographic variables, personality, and social networks use disorder (SNUD) on WTP. Data were collected through an online survey with participants from two distinct cultural contexts, the European and Arabic. The samples comprised 262 participants from Europe (Males: 57.63%) and 251 from Arab countries (Males: 60.56%). The participants ranged in age from 18 to 66 years (MEurope = 29.16, SD = 8.42; MArab = 31.24, SD = 8.23). The results revealed that a notable proportion of participants were willing to pay for digital wellbeing services (Europe: 24%; Arab: 30%). Females in the European sample demonstrated a higher WTP for “Mental Health Issues Minimization” compared to males. In the Arab sample, males showed a higher WTP for “Safeguarding Data Privacy” than females. Multiple regression analyses revealed that SNUD and the need for cognition emerged as significant and positive predictors of WTP in both the European and Arab samples. Differences in the relations of personality traits and sociodemographic variables on WTP in each sample were noted. These insights contribute to our understanding of the factors shaping individuals’ preferences and valuation related to digital wellbeing services on SNS and highlight the importance of considering sociodemographic variables and personal factors as well as cultural contexts when planning and introducing them.

Concerns about the health and wellbeing impacts of online activities, such as gaming and social media, have led to the development of psychological interventions targeting problematic technology use. The efficacy of these interventions is typically assessed using quantitative metrics, such as decreased screen time and reductions in behavioural addiction or mood disorder symptomatology. However, few studies have examined participants' subjective evaluations and perceptions of these interventions. This study explored the experiences of seven young adults who participated in a mindfulness-based digital wellbeing retreat. Semi-structured interviews, focusing on rationale for attendance, program experience and perceived impact, were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants described varied struggles with technology, suggesting the retreat represented a safe space to discuss such issues while exploring alternative ways of being with their digital devices. The experience was valued for providing a connection to a supportive peer group and the natural outdoor environment. Aligned with the proposed mechanisms of mindfulness, participants also described developing a heightened awareness of their tech-use idiosyncrasies and maladaptive habits, leading to usage characterised by greater intentionality and choice.

Innovative technology-based study methods are increasingly used in teaching and learning. This not only increases the attractiveness of learning, but also creates new challenges in balancing the benefits of technology and its harm to student's wellbeing. It emerges a new concept of digital wellbeing. The research problem is how to ensure the effective and ethical use of innovative technologies for teaching and learning in a system of supporting students' digital wellbeing, while avoiding or minimizing negative impacts on students' wellbeing. It aims to justify as a system the functionality of the model of students' digital wellbeing support in a TEL environment. A theoretical framework and possible further research are presented.

The spatial planning system in Poland is undergoing a fundamental reform. It emphasises the digital representation of spatial data. Low performance of geoportals, no Internet access, or poor connectivity can contribute to the exclusion from the spatial planning process, and consequently to the exclusion from a specific part of public life. Considering these developments, the present study seems relevant by pointing out the issue with geoportal performance and availability of quality Internet in rural areas. The primary contribution of the article is (1) results of performance measurements for selected geoportals; (2) presentation of measuring tools and performance indices combined with methods for ad-hoc performance measuring; and (3) presentation of potential actions to improve geoportal performance on the device with which it is used. The article offers case studies where the performance of selected geoportals was tested in rural mountainous areas with limited Internet access. Five geoportals were tested with PageSpeed Insights (PSI), WebPageTest, GTmetrix, Pingdom, and GiftOfSpeed. Core Web Vitals indices were analysed: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), and First Contentful Paint (FCP). The author verified values of the Speed Index and Fully Loaded Time along with other performance indices, like GTmetrix Structure. The study failed to provide unambiguous evidence that radio link users in rural areas could experience problems with geoportal performance, although the results seem to suggest it indirectly. PSI Lab Data and Field Data tests revealed a relatively low performance of the geoportals. The Performance index remained below 50 in most cases, which is 'Poor' according to the PSI scale. The fully loaded time exceeded 10 s for all the geoportals and 20 s in some cases (Lab Data). It means that the perceived performance of the tested geoportals on a radio link in rural areas is most probably even lower. The case studies demonstrated further that the user has limited possibilities to speed up map applications. It is possible to slightly improve the geoportal experience through the optimisation of the device locally, but the responsibility to ensure geoportal performance is mainly the publisher's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore esports fans’ motivation, experiences and well-being. Guided by the serious leisure perspective and self-determination theory, this study focused on the community of Super Smash Brothers (SSB). This study adopted a qualitative approach and interviewed 13 members with different types of involvement with the community. The results showed that participants’ continuous involvement with the activity is motivated by pursuing personal and social benefits as well as their serious pursuit of esport and their identity as an SSB community member. The esports experiences also improved their well-being through enhancing their social well-being, improving their quality of life and satisfying their needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Lastly, the finding showed that despite the digital nature of esports, the onset of the pandemic has negatively impacted player experiences and re-emphasised the importance of attending in-person events. Based on the findings, this study discussed how to reconceptualise esports as well as highlighted the need for more future research focusing on the positive effects of esports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Methods: Results: Conclusion: Existing research reporting an association between smartphone usage and sleep quality has often utilised subjective self-reported smartphone usage and sleep data. This paper aims to study the associations of objectively collected smartphone near-bedtime usage and problematic internet usage (PIU) with parameters of sleep quality.The dataset had 269 (55% Female, 55.13% Adults) participants. From the acquired usage data, the daily averages of sleep duration, sleep distraction, and smartphone usage two hours before sleep were extracted.The multivariate linear regression showed that the increase in PIU (β =  −0.231, p < 0.001) and smartphone usage two hours before sleep (β =  −0.246, p < 0.001) led to decrease in sleep duration. Regarding sleep distraction, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that two hours before sleep was a significant and positive predictor of sleep distraction (β = 0.197, p = 0.003), whereas PIU was not significant.Longer duration of smartphone usage before sleep and higher PIU were associated with reduced sleep duration and continuity. PIU predicted the possibility of getting distracted while usage before sleep predicted the distraction duration. Our results confirm and elaborate on concerns about technology overuse near bedtime and call for specialised interventions to help healthier technology design and usage styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While Africa has largely been considered a digitally-disconnected country, recent studies have shown that connectivity figures are on a rise. In this paper, we theorize digital wellbeing in a context characterized by a fast-growing number of mobile data users despite a historically low Internet penetration. It is focused on an ongoing ethnographic research on mobile users and digital inequalities in Africa, zooming in on results from an explorative study featuring 10 in-depth interviews with young adult heavy users (more than 4–5 hours a day) and seeking to understand strategies they use in attaining digital wellbeing. The findings show how the sampled young adults (18–30 years old) struggle with the daily realities of digital participation including addiction and generational conflict in technology use. Results also reveal ways through which electronic connectivity is perceived both be a tool of freedom as well as a subtle form of potential digital enslavering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how users perceive their wellbeing amid the risks associated with digital media use in Norway. According to the literature, some of these risks include digital dependence, online privacy, scams, thefts, information misuse, and harassment. To expand knowledge on how these and other digital risks are construed by users, this study addresses the following research questions: What implications do digital risks have on users’ perceived sense of wellbeing? What are the solutions proposed by users to manage these risks? Methodologically, the inquiry is led through a qualitative approach comprising 17 semi-structured in-depth interviews of university students in Norway. The investigation centers on an interpretative phenomenological analysis. This study contributes to the existing literature by empirically evaluating the notion of digital wellbeing in the everyday choices of university students, thereby comprehending their safety concerns and how they manage online risks while exploring solutions to combat the risks of digital usage. The study adds value to the present literature on digital wellbeing by juxtaposing digital risks with the construct of wellbeing in digitalized societies.

The pandemic crisis period we have been going through has made it abundantly clear that the training system needs to be strengthened in terms of life skills. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of strengthening individuals' life skills, which in the digital-human ecosystem in which we are immersed are increasingly digital soft skills. This awareness requires the promotion of Digital Wellbeing as an educational territory that has not yet been responsibly presided over. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current world changes rapidly. This period of great and rapid transformations is known as the IV Industrial Revolution which is characterized by the fact that industries, processes and stocks are linked in a network globally. It is demonstrated in this article with historical foundations that societies are not prepared for those rapid changes and transformations. Sometimes it takes a few generations for society’s changes to be assimilated. However, technology development boots innovation and society’s transformation within months. As a result, new mental and physical illnesses appear related to technology, such as techno-anxiety and technostress that are directly linked to the concept of digital well-being. Now, the only way that society has to fight against these pathologies is learning and training using new processes and approaches. As the current society cannot stop using technology, the society should take care of digital well-being. In this study, one of the ways to prevent or minimize pathologies caused by the excessive use of technological applications in tourism is presented and discussed. Theoretical and practical implications are presented to decrease health pathologies intensity caused by the used of technological devices.

In today's society, digital coaching systems for healthcare-related interventions are becoming increasingly prevalent. With the rise of intelligent healthcare systems, new opportunities have emerged for the design and development of solutions that are tailored to the specific needs and requirements of individual users. However, designing an intelligent system is challenging due to difficulties in specifying requirements, future users' expectations, and the system's adaptive behaviour during run-time. This paper focusses on the early phase design process of such systems for the use case of stress management. The methodology incorporates a combination of existing theory and model of stress management as well as two qualitative studies that elicit views of target users and experts. The outcome of this research includes design implications, expected behaviour, interactions and roles, and expected features and functionalities of an intelligent coaching system for stress management. The outcomes of this research lay the foundations to initiate design process of intelligent coaching systems. Finally, this research contributes to enriching understanding of initiating the design process of intelligent systems for digital wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial planning system in Poland is undergoing a fundamental reform. It emphasises the digital representation of spatial data. Low performance of geoportals, no Internet access, or poor connectivity can contribute to the exclusion from the spatial planning process, and consequently to the exclusion from a specific part of public life. Considering these developments, the present study seems relevant by pointing out the issue with geoportal performance and availability of quality Internet in rural areas. The primary contribution of the article is (1) results of performance measurements for selected geoportals; (2) presentation of measuring tools and performance indices combined with methods for ad-hoc performance measuring; and (3) presentation of potential actions to improve geoportal performance on the device with which it is used. The article offers case studies where the performance of selected geoportals was tested in rural mountainous areas with limited Internet access. Five geoportals were tested with PageSpeed Insights (PSI), WebPageTest, GTmetrix, Pingdom, and GiftOfSpeed. Core Web Vitals indices were analysed: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), and First Contentful Paint (FCP). The author verified values of the Speed Index and Fully Loaded Time along with other performance indices, like GTmetrix Structure. The study failed to provide unambiguous evidence that radio link users in rural areas could experience problems with geoportal performance, although the results seem to suggest it indirectly. PSI Lab Data and Field Data tests revealed a relatively low performance of the geoportals. The Performance index remained below 50 in most cases, which is ‘Poor’ according to the PSI scale. The fully loaded time exceeded 10 s for all the geoportals and 20 s in some cases (Lab Data). It means that the perceived performance of the tested geoportals on a radio link in rural areas is most probably even lower. The case studies demonstrated further that the user has limited possibilities to speed up map applications. It is possible to slightly improve the geoportal experience through the optimisation of the device locally, but the responsibility to ensure geoportal performance is mainly the publisher’s.

Purpose The proliferation of smartphones, accompanied by internet facilities, has contributed to a decrease in sleep quality over the last decades. It has been revealed that excessive internet usage impacts the physical and mental health of smartphone users, while personality traits (PT) could play a role in developing internet addictions and preventing their negative effects. The objective of the present study is to assess the role of PT and smartphone usage in sleep quality. Method The sample comprised 269 participants, 55% females, within the age range of 15–64 years. We objectively collected one-week smartphone apps usage data from the participants. They also responded to demographics and the PT (BFI-10) questionnaires. The usage data of smartphone apps were processed to calculate smartphone usage amounts and sleep variables, including sleep duration, sleep distraction, sleeping time, and wake-up time. The data were analyzed using the correlation coefficient and regression analyses. Results The results indicated that more smartphone usage was associated with reduced sleep duration, increased sleep distraction, and later bedtime. Furthermore, smartphone users with the conscientiousness trait had a longer sleep duration, earlier sleeping time, less sleep distraction, and earlier wakeablity. Sleep distraction was positively associated with openness. Extraversion and neuroticism were found to be positive predictors of early wakeablity. Neuroticism had a negative association with early wakeablity. Finally, the implications of the study have been discussed. Conclusion Our study’s usage of data that was acquired objectively has strong methodological qualities. The present study is the first to contribute to the literature on the role of PT and objectively measured smartphone usage in the prediction of sleep quality. We found that smartphone use and sleep variables are associated with PT. Other scholars can use our dataset for benchmarking and future comparisons.

Most research on Problematic Internet Usage (PIU) relied on self-report data when measuring the time spent on the internet. Self-reporting of use, typically done through a survey, showed discrepancies from the actual amount of use. Studies exploring the association between trait emotional intelligence (EI) components and the subjective feeling on technology usage and PIU are also limited. The current cross-sectional study aims to examine whether the objectively recorded technology usage, taking smartphone usage as a representative, components of trait EI (sociability, emotionality, well-being, self-control), and happiness with phone use can predict PIU and its components (obsession, neglect, and control disorder). A total of 268 participants (Female: 61.6%) reported their demographic and completed a questionnaire that included Problematic Internet Usage Questionnaire short form (PIUQ–SF–6), Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), level of happiness with the amount and frequency of smartphone use, and living conditions (whether alone or with others). Their smartphone usage was objectively recorded through a dedicated app. A series of one-way ANOVA revealed no significant difference in PIU for different living conditions and a significant difference in the subjective level of happiness with phone usage (F (3, 264) = 7.55, p < .001), as well as of the frequency of usage where the unhappy group had higher PIU (F (3, 264) = 6.85, p < .001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that happiness with phone usage (β = −.17), the actual usage of communication (β = .17), social media (β = .19) and gaming apps (β = .13), and trait EI component of self-control (β = −.28) were all significant predictors of PIU. Moreover, gender, age, and happiness with the frequency of phone usage were not significant predictors of PIU. The whole model accounted for the total variance of PIU by 32.5% (Adjusted R2 = .287). Our study contributes to the literature by being among the few to rely on objectively recorded smartphone usage data and utilizing components of trait EI as predictors.

The author focuses on the discussion of whether excessive use of a smartphone can lead to addiction. He cites consequences and negative outcomes linked to excessive smartphone use such as emotional distress and dysfunction.He points out the need to pay attention also to the beneficial aspects of smartphone use while citing the need to examine excessive use as it can be problematic.