AUTHOR=Wacks Yehuda , Weinstein Aviv M. 

TITLE=Excessive Smartphone Use Is Associated With Health Problems in Adolescents and Young Adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.669042

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.669042

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background and Aims:</bold> This present paper will review the existing evidence on the effects of excessive smartphone use on physical and mental health.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Comorbidity with depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD and alcohol use disorder. Excessive smartphone use is associated with difficulties in cognitive-emotion regulation, impulsivity, impaired cognitive function, addiction to social networking, shyness and low self-esteem. Medical problems include sleep problems, reduced physical fitness, unhealthy eating habits, pain and migraines, reduced cognitive control and changes in the brain's gray matter volume.</p><p><bold>In Conclusion:</bold> Excessive smartphone use is associated with psychiatric, cognitive, emotional, medical and brain changes that should be considered by health and education professionals.</p>