Problematic smartphone use and risk behaviors in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.