Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate university students’ risk of developing a smartphone addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic by different demographic characteristics. Furthermore, we endeavored to compare the duration of phone usage both before and during the pandemic as well as the purpose for using smartphones, and whether there was an increase in duration, in terms of the smartphone features and programs. Undergraduate students (n=337) studying in Turkey with different socio- demographic characteristics were included in the study. The results demonstrate that amount of time students’ used smartphones increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and that they used them to follow the news and video chat/communication. Furthermore, according to results students, those who used smartphones for an average of six or more hours per day prior to the pandemic and an average of eight or more hours per day during the pandemic, who checked their phone more than 41 times a day and who thought that had a risk of smartphone addiction, had a higher risk of smartphone addiction than other students. The findings obtained were discussed with the studies conducted on the subject before the pandemic and a limited number of studies conducted during the pandemic, and recommendations were made.

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