BMC Pediatr. 2025 Aug 2;25(1):590. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-05924-x.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study examined the association between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and risk behaviors among Korean adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aimed to develop preventive measures for adolescent health promotion in the event of future pandemics.
METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from the 16th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2020) was conducted, which included 54,948 middle and high school students. Smartphone use, PSU, alcohol use, and smoking status were assessed via self-reported questionnaires. Complex samples descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 25.
RESULTS: Korean adolescents averaged 282.8 and 393.4 min of smartphone use across weekdays and on weekends, respectively, with a 25.5% prevalence of PSU. Female and high school students exhibited significantly higher PSU rates (p <.001). Current alcohol use and smoking increased PSU risk by 1.098- and 1.295-fold, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings emphasize the need for intervention strategies targeting PSU and associated risk behaviors. Continuous monitoring in home and school settings, along with gender-specific and educational-level interventions, is recommended to promote healthy smartphone use among adolescents.
PMID:40753400 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-025-05924-x
