Smartphone Usage In Relation To Loneliness Among Higher Secondary Students

Abstract

Smartphones have become increasingly popular in the current scenario, especially among the young generation. These gadgets are more convenient and also highly appealing to young minds, leading to a growing dependency. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between smartphone usage and loneliness among higher secondary students. The survey method was employed, and two tools were used for data collection: the Smartphone Usage Scale, constructed by the investigator, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale – Version 3 by Russell (1996). A total of 320 students from various schools in Tamil Nadu participated in the study. To analyze the relationships between variables, correlational analysis, and t-test were calculated. Results revealed that smartphone usage was significantly associated with loneliness (r = 0.534). Furthermore, significant differences in smartphone usage and loneliness were observed based on gender and locality.