Young and connected: Psychological influences of mobile phone use amongst Australian youth

Two studies investigating psychosocial factors influencing mobile phone use amongst Australian youth are reported. In Study 1, focus groups comprising 32 participants, three major benefits of mobile phone use emerged: self, social, and practical. Additionally, symptoms of behavioural addiction were indicated. Study 2, used a uses and gratifications theory framework to investigate factors underlying mobile phone use, in particular, indicators of addiction. Participants (N = 946) completed a questionnaire assessing level of mobile phone use; uses and gratifications relating to use; and three addiction indicators, withdrawal, loss of control and salience. Three mobile phone gratifications, self, social, and security, were revealed. Social and self gratification predicted level of use and addictive tendency, with self gratification exhibiting the greatest impact on the three addiction indicators. Results of the two studies assist in understanding young people’s use of mobile phones, providing a foundation for future research in mobile phone addiction.

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