A nationwide study led by the Institute of Mental Health found that 46.4% of Singapore residents aged 15 to 21 showed problematic smartphone use. The rate across participants aged 15 to 65 was 30.2%.
Researchers defined problematic use through dependence, time spent on smartphones and resulting problems. These included distress without a phone, physical discomfort and difficulty concentrating at school or work.
Participants with problematic smartphone use were at least three times more likely to report moderate or severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia. The study found an association and did not establish that smartphone use caused those conditions.
The research involved 6,509 participants and ran from April 2021 to July 2022. It appeared in the August 2024 issue of the Asian Journal of Psychiatry.
Reference: Asia News Network report on the IMH study, https://asianews.network/about-one-in-two-young-singaporeans-has-problematic-smartphone-use-imh-study/
Source: SG Daily Instagram post C9_9i5cRgdK.
