Over-Connected?: A Qualitative Exploration of the Relationship Between Australian Youth and Their Mobile Phones

• NCJ Number: 222550
• Journal: Journal of Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2008 Pages: 77-92
• Author(s): Shari P. Walsh; Katherine M. White; Ross M. Young
• Date Published: February 2008
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Thirty-two Australian youth between the ages of 16 and 24 years old participated in focus groups that examined the psychological factors linked to the prevalence and frequency of their mobile phone use.

Abstract

Generally, the results show that mobile phone use plays an integral role in the lives of young Australians, becoming more than a tool for communication. Some youth reported an attachment to their phones so strong as to make it part of their identity. Given that an obsessive behavior deemed essential to personal identity and well-being is a feature of addictive behavior, participants agreed that mobile phone addiction could occur. Some participants reasoned that mobile phone addiction, even if it were to occur, would not be as harmful as perceived physically harmful addictions such as smoking or drug use. Some potentially harmful consequences of mobile phone addiction identified in the groups were conflict with other more directly interactive group activities and withdrawal symptoms when access to one's mobile phone was restricted. Euphoria from mobile phone use, a desired experience of addictive behavior, is apparently related to feeling valued or loved when calls or messages are received. Thus, the mobile phone may provide relatively instant access to the euphoria of feeling valued and the focus of a friend's attention throughout the day wherever one may be. Since some researchers argue that addictive behavior differs from excessive behavior, with the latter being more susceptible to self-discipline and rational control, future research should aim to identify the specific symptoms that differentiate addictive and nonaddictive mobile phone use. The 32 participants (13 males and 19 females) between the ages of 16 and 24 participated in 6 focus group sessions that were guided by a facilitator who introduced specific questions and issues on mobile phone use predetermined by the researchers. 2 tables and 44 references