Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Anxiety among Adolescents in Indonesia

Abstract

Smartphone addiction has become a global concern in the digital era and can affect individuals across various demographic groups, including adolescents. Smartphone addiction was associated with anxiety and its sociodemographic factors. Studies have reported a correlation between smartphone addiction and anxiety among adolescents. In Indonesia, research examining this relationship has been conducted. However, studies reporting on small sample sizes and sociodemographic factors remain limited. This study investigated the level of smartphone addiction and anxiety among Indonesian adolescents, as well as the relationship between smartphone addiction and anxiety, by considering sociodemographic factors. This study recruited 1,636 adolescents from junior and senior high schools using random sampling. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from participants, which consisted of informed consent, sociodemographic data, the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis and Generalized Linear Model (GLM). The results revealed that the level of smartphone addiction among Indonesian adolescents was 45.97%, with anxiety levels at a moderate level. Smartphone addiction was associated with female gender, senior high school education level, longer screen time, and higher monthly expenditure on smartphone use. Anxiety was associated with female gender, a senior high school education level, lower participation in extracurricular activities, and longer screen time. Significant positive correlation was found between smartphone addiction and anxiety.