Association between smartphone usage and health outcomes of adolescents: A propensity analysis using the Korea youth risk behavior survey

Abstract

Objectives We aimed to investigate the association between smartphone use and adverse behavioral health outcomes using nationwide Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey data for 2017 and 2020. Methods The 2020 data (N = 54,809) were used to analyze the relationships between daily smartphone usage time (non-user, 0–2 h [hour], 2–4 h, 4–6 h, 6–8 h, and > 8 h), and adverse health outcomes (stress, sleep, depression, suicide, substance use, and smartphone overdependence). A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control for confounding variables. Results A total of 40,998 adolescents with < 4 h/day and > 4 h/day of usage were included. Adolescents’ mean smartphone usage time in 2020 increased compared to that in 2017 (weighted % of > 2 h/day; 64.3% vs. 85.7%). The curvilinear relationships between smartphone usage time and adverse health outcomes were prominent after > 4 h/day. Adolescents using smartphones 2–4 h/day showed no increased adverse health outcomes compared to non-users, except for smartphone overdependence. Using a smartphone > 4 h/day was significantly associated with stress perception (1.16; 1.11–1.22), suicidal ideation (1.22; 1.13–1.31), and substance use (alcohol, 1.66; 1.57–1.75) after PSM. Conclusions Our study demonstrated the curvilinear relationship between smartphone usage time and adverse health outcomes in adolescents. Our findings can help establish smartphone usage guidelines for adolescents.