Cellphone usage and addiction among Chinese children and adolescents and related factors

Abstract

Objective To understand the current situation and associated factors of cellphone usage and addiction among Chinese children and adolescents, to provide reference for effective prevention and intervention of cellphone addiction.

Methods Using a stratified random sampling approach, 11 213 children and adolescents and their parents from 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China were recruited and surveyed.

Results The median of daily mobile phone use time among Chinese children and adolescents were 120.00 minutes, as reported by either children or parents. Child’s age ( β = 0.12), hedonic ( β = 0.11) and social ( β = 0.09) cellphone use motivations positively related to time spent on cellphone ( P<0.01). Cellphone-related parental communication ( β = −0.06) and knowledge ( β = −0.03), as well as cellphone usage on instrumental ( β = −0.04) or self-representation ( β = −0.16) motivation negatively related to time spent on cellphone ( P<0.05). Child’s age ( β = −0.04), cellphone-related parental communication ( β = −0.09) and awareness ( β = −0.14), cellphone use on instrumental motivation ( β = −0.22) were negatively associated with cellphone addiction among children and adolescents ( P<0.05). Cellphone-related parental monitoring ( β= 0.07), as well as cellphone usage on self-representation motivation ( β = 0.03) or hedonic motivation ( β = 0.29) positively related to cellphone addiction in children and adolescents ( P<0.05).

Conclusion Time spent on mobile phone and mobile phone addiction of Chinese children and adolescents are influenced by various internal and external factors, such as the mobile phone use motivation and parenting style. Future school education should help children develop scientific motivation for mobile phone use. Family education should help parents develop positive parenting behaviors such as communication and awareness, so as to reduce the possibility of improper mobile phone use.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 了解中国儿童青少年的手机使用和成瘾现状及其影响因素, 为更有效预防干预儿童青少年手机使用和成 瘾提供参考依据。 方法 采用分层随机抽样方法, 对中国31个省市自治区的11 213名儿童青少年及其家长进行调査。 结果 孩子自我报告和父母报告中国儿童青少年的每日手机使用时间中位数均为120.00 min。孩子年龄越大、具有更强 的享乐和社交动机的儿童, 使用手机的时间更长( β值分别为0.12, 0.11, 0.09, P值均<0.01);父母更多地与孩子沟通手机 使用并知晓孩子手机使用情况, 以及孩子具有更强的工具性和自我表现手机使用动机可以降低儿童青少年的手机使用时 长( β值分别为 −0.06, −0.03, −0.04, −0.16, P值均<0.05)。年龄更大的孩子手机成瘾水平更低( β = −0.04, P<0.05); 父母经 常与孩子沟通并知晓孩子的手机使用情况能够有效降低孩子的手机成瘾程度( β值分别为 −0.09, −0.14, P值均<0.01); 有 更强的工具性手机使用动机的孩子手机成瘾程度更低( β = −0.22, P<0.01);与手机相关的父母监控、自我表现和享乐手机 使用动机与儿童青少年手机成瘾呈正相关( β值分别为0.07, 0.03, 0.29, P值均<0.05)。 结论 中国儿童青少年的手机使 用时间和手机成瘾受到手机使用动机、父母教养方式等多种内外部因素的影响。未来的学校教育应帮助孩子养成科学的 手机使用动机;家庭教育应帮助父母培养沟通、知晓等积极教养行为, 以减少不当手机使用行为的发生。