A Study to Assess the Relationship Between Smartphone Usage and Academic Stress Among Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Communication and information access have been transformed by smartphones. They offer chances for social contact, virtual classrooms, educational applications, and online learning. Teenagers' everyday activities, educational experiences, and lives have all been profoundly impacted by the widespread availability of smartphones. Due to affordability and internet accessibility, the number of teenagers who own smartphones has significantly increased in recent years.

Methodology: A quantitative descriptive correlational research approach was used to look at teenagers' smartphone use and academic stress. The survey included one hundred teenagers from specific urban and rural regions of Bihar. The participants were selected using a practical non-probability selection technique. Data was gathered using the Academic Stress Scale, the Smartphone Usage Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analysis process.

Results: The findings showed that 12% of teenagers used smartphones minimally, 30% used them moderately, and 58% used them heavily. Regarding academic stress, 18% expressed low stress, 28% reported high stress, and 54% reported moderate stress. The Pearson correlation value of r = 0.68 showed a significant positive relationship between academic stress and smartphone use at p < 0.001.

Conclusion: According to the study's findings, teens who use smartphones excessively have higher levels of academic stress. Healthy smartphone usage habits and appropriate awareness campaigns may lessen academic stress and enhance academic performance.