The Relationship Between Loneliness and Internet or Smartphone Addiction Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review and meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Loneliness is a common public health problem that influences people’s physical and mental health. There is a high incidence of loneliness in adolescents. Some research suggested that smartphone or Internet addiction (SA or IA) may be a factor. But the relationship between loneliness and SA or IA is not completely clear among adolescents. We aim to estimate the correlation coefficient r between them. Methods: Databases, consisting of PubMed and Web of Science, were retrieved systematically for studies of the association between adolescents’ loneliness and SA or IA. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was chosen as an assessment tool in this analysis. We estimated the correlation coefficient r between loneliness and SA or IA and drew a forest plot. Moreover, moderator analyses were also conducted to explore what leads to heterogeneity in our study. Results: 21 studies were finally included in our analysis with 27,843 samples. The pooled correlation coefficient r was 0.252 (95% confidence interval: [0.173, 0.329]; p < 0.001) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0.000%; Q = 23.616; p < 0.001), indicating a moderate positive association. The funnel plot indicated small publication bias. A one-study removal sensitivity analysis indicated there was no significant difference between these studies. Meta-regression indicated no significant difference between the results and age (Q = 11.94, df = 18, p = 0.8504). Conclusions: Our analysis indicated a moderate positive association between loneliness and SA or IA. The results may attract the attention of some experts who study adolescent psychological problems and behavioral problems and may provide ideas for their research in the future.

Association between smartphone overdependence and mental health in South Korean adolescents: a secondary data analysis

“…The greater the frequency of experiencing perceived loneliness, the greater the risk of developing smartphone overdependence by a factor of 1.98. Previous studies have identified perceived loneliness as a contributing factor to internet and smartphone addiction among adolescents [14], with increased levels of loneliness associated with increased time spent on smartphones [29]. Adolescents worldwide are increasingly lonely, with girls reporting more loneliness and loneliness associated with greater smartphone and internet use [30,31].…”

“…The total score ranges from 10 to 40 points, with a higher score indicating a higher level of smartphone overdependence. Based on the total score obtained, individuals can be classified into three groups: a normal group (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22), a potential-risk group (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30), and a high-risk group (31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40). For this study, we merged the potential-risk group and high-risk group into the risk group (scores ≥ 23) and compared it with the normal group (scores < 23).…”

“…This extended use of social media can result in low self-esteem and heightened feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress as adolescents tend to constantly compare themselves with others [8]. Furthermore, adolescents who develop an addiction to social media frequently experience increased loneliness [8,14]. During adolescence, a period when peer relationships hold significant importance, adolescents often feel pressured to use social networks to avoid being left out of their social circles [8,15].…”

Unmasking Smartphone Addiction: How Loneliness Mediates between Social Anxiety Disorder and Depression

“…People may now stay in touch with friends and family and fight loneliness and isolation thanks to the internet and smartphones. Loneliness and disconnection rise as technology replaces face-to-face interactions (Ge et al, 2023).…”

The relationship between emotional abuse and internet addiction in Chinese children: A serial multiple mediation of emotional dysregulation and regulatory emotional self-efficacy

“…A study of 600 primary school students found that RESE partially mediated the relationship between emotional abuse and loneliness in children [33]. Notably, there is a signi cant positive correlation between loneliness and the risk of IA among adolescents [34,35]. These ndings imply that RESE may negatively predict IA in children and may play a mediating role between emotional abuse and IA in children.…”