Association between gadget use and physical and mental health among adolescents: A cross-sectional study
https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v7i2.752
Keywords:
adolescent, gadget use, mental health, physical healthAbstract
Background: Gadget use has become increasingly common among adolescents and is closely integrated into learning, communication, entertainment, and daily activities. Although gadgets provide educational and social benefits, excessive or problematic use may contribute to physical complaints, including eye strain, hearing problems, and musculoskeletal pain, as well as mental health problems such as depressive symptoms. However, empirical evidence regarding the association between gadget use and adolescent physical and mental health remains limited.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between gadget use and physical and mental health among adolescents.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytic survey was conducted among students at a state vocational high school in Palembang City, Indonesia. A total sampling technique was used, resulting in 50 respondents. Gadget use was measured using an adapted Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale, while physical health was assessed based on eye health, hearing health, and pain-related complaints. Mental health was measured using the 6-item Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and Kendall’s tau correlation test, with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Most respondents were middle adolescents aged 16–18 years (90%) and male (68%). The majority were classified as at-risk gadget users (90%). More than half of the respondents had moderate physical health problems (56%), and most respondents were categorized as having depressive symptoms (90%). Bivariate analysis showed no significant association between gadget use and physical health among adolescents (r = 0.055; p = 0.687). Similarly, no significant association was found between gadget use and mental health (r = 0.228; p = 0.106).
Conclusion: Gadget use was not significantly associated with physical or mental health among adolescents in this study. These findings suggest that adolescent physical and mental health may be influenced by multiple factors beyond gadget use, including lifestyle, social environment, family factors, academic stress, and individual coping mechanisms. Further studies with larger samples and more comprehensive assessment of confounding variables are recommended.
Downloads
References
Asmahanim, H. M., Salim, M. N. F. M., Rusmi, A. S., & Amri, W. N. D. A. W. (2024). Gadget Dependency And Its Impact On Academic Performance: A Study Among Higher Education Students. International Journal of Modern Education, 6(23), 227–242. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijmoe.623016
Asmayawati, A., Masliati, T., & Hasnida, H. (2025). The Impact of Gadget Use on the Development of Early Childhood. Al Tahdzib: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Anak Usia Dini, 4(1), 17–30. https://doi.org/10.54150/altahdzib.v4i1.622
Astuti, L. W., & Suryadi. (2025). Dampak Penggunaan Gadget Terhadap Perkembangan Emosional Anak. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Dan Anak Usia Dini, 4, 152–159. https://doi.org/10.58355/attaqwa.v4i2.162
Augner, C., Vlasak, T., Aichhorn, W., & Barth, A. (2023). The association between problematic smartphone use and symptoms of anxiety and depression - a meta-analysis. Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom), 45(1), 193–201. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdab350
Barzegari, S., ArabKermani, Z., Mahmoudvand, Z., Arpaci, I., Shabani, F., & Najafi, A. H. (2025). Prevalence and contributing factors of computer vision syndrome among university students in Iran: a cross-sectional study. BMC Ophthalmology, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04367-3
Budi Santoso, & Dita Hendriani. (2024). Analisis Penggunaan Gadget terhadap Perilaku Sosial Remaja di Desa Krandegan Kecamatan Gandusari Kabupaten Trenggalek. CENDEKIA: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Bahasa Dan Pendidikan, 4(2), 111–122. https://doi.org/10.55606/cendikia.v4i2.2875
El Shunnar, K., Afeef Nisah, M., & Kalaji, Z. H. (2024). The impact of excessive use of smart portable devices on neck pain and associated musculoskeletal symptoms. Prospective questionnaire-based study and review of literature. Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery: Advanced Techniques and Case Management, 36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inat.2023.101952
Eliana, L., & Oktaviana, A. (2025). The Influence of Gadget Use on Early Childhood Social Interaction. 10(1), 265–270. http://ejournal.mandalanursa.org/index.php/JUPE/index
Ellis Sandoval, N., Peña Martinez, M. I., Fernandez Cea, A. B., & Hernandez Rincon, E. H. (2025). Effects on Prolonged Screen Time on Postural Health and Visual Health in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review. Orthopedic Research and Reviews, 17, 553–562. https://doi.org/10.2147/ORR.S519541
Ettinger, A. K., Risser, L., Rahman, S., Rigas, D., Abromitis, R., Stokes, L. R., Chavis, V., & Miller, E. (2022). Defining and Measuring Child and Youth Thriving: A Scoping Review. Pediatrics, 150(5). https://doi.org/10.1542/PEDS.2022-056902/189736
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Qadri, M. A., & Suman, R. (2022). Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review. Sustainable Operations and Computers, 3, 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susoc.2022.05.004
Han, Z. Y., Ye, Z. Y., & Zhong, B. L. (2025). School bullying and mental health among adolescents: a narrative review. In Translational Pediatrics (Vol. 14, Number 3, pp. 463–472). AME Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.21037/tp-2024-512
Jamie L, Y., Madeline G, S., Oscar, R., Joan E, K., Alexia M, K., Nicole K, C., Claudia, H., & Karthik, M. (2022). Effects of Electronic Usage on the Musculoskeletal System in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review. Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Treatment, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.23937/2572-3243.1510114
Jaya, & Frana, I. (2022). Perbaikan Gaya Hidup dan Dampaknya Pada Kadar HbA1c Pada Remaja Overweight dan Obesitas yang dimotivasi Melalui Media Sosial: Literature Review. 3(2), 66–76.
Kaur, K., Gurnani, B., Nayak, S., Deori, N., Kaur, S., Jethani, J., Singh, D., Agarkar, S., Hussaindeen, J. R., Sukhija, J., & Mishra, D. (2022). Digital Eye Strain- A Comprehensive Review. In Ophthalmology and Therapy (Vol. 11, Number 5, pp. 1655–1680). Adis. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-022-00540-9
Kbarek, Y. I., Gurning, M., & Mannopposem, I. A. (2025). Impact of gadget use on the social behavior of elementary school children: A literature review. Indonesian Journal of Health Services, 2(1), 21-30. https://doi.org/10.63202/ijhs.v2i1.54
Kumar, L., Doctoral Fellow, P., & Tiwari Sc, D. M. (2023). Use and Utility of Modern Technology in Learning and Teaching Co-editors Dr. Priyam Singh (1st ed.). Atharv Publication.
Kumar, L., Singh, P., & Tiwari, D. M. (2024). Use and Utility of Modern Technology in Learning and Teaching.
Lin, J., & Guo, W. (2024). The Research on Risk Factors for Adolescents’ Mental Health. In Behavioral Sciences (Vol. 14, Number 4). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14040263
Mahmoud, N. A., Abu Raddaha, A. H., & Zaghamir, D. E. (2022). Impact of Digital Device Use on Neck and Low Back Pain Intensity among Nursing Students at a Saudi Government University: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Switzerland), 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122424
Marpuah, S., Mardhiah, W. A., Zahari, W., Kirin, A., Mahmudah, U., & Normawati, S. (2021). The Implications of Modern Technology (Gadjet) For Students Learning Development in University. In Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (Vol. 12, Number 2).
Martín-Rodríguez, A., Gostian-Ropotin, L. A., Beltrán-Velasco, A. I., Belando-Pedreño, N., Simón, J. A., López-Mora, C., Navarro-Jiménez, E., Tornero-Aguilera, J. F., & Clemente-Suárez, V. J. (2024). Sporting Mind: The Interplay of Physical Activity and Psychological Health. In Sports (Vol. 12, Number 1). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12010037
Nailah, I. H., Akhmad Faozi, & Delli Yuliana Rahmat. (2025). Cognitive function and stress as determinants of independence among older adults in institutional care: A cross-sectional study. Lentera Perawat, 6(4), 813–820. https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v6i4.640
Nakshine, V. S., Thute, P., Khatib, M. N., & Sarkar, B. (2022). Increased Screen Time as a Cause of Declining Physical, Psychological Health, and Sleep Patterns: A Literary Review. Cureus, 14(10), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30051
Panjeti-Madan, V. N., & Ranganathan, P. (2023). Impact of Screen Time on Children’s Development: Cognitive, Language, Physical, and Social and Emotional Domains. In Multimodal Technologies and Interaction (Vol. 7, Number 5). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti7050052
Purdani, K. S., Ridho, M., Safrudin, B., Alamsyah, F., Zain, N. D. R., Wati, P. S., Lestari, S. D., Dewi, C. M., Cholifah, W. N., & Saputra, B. (2026). Psychological factors, digital behaviors, and lifestyle correlates of insomnia among university students: A literature review. Lentera Perawat, 7(1), 90–101. https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v7i1.674
Putri, A. (2024). Promosi Kesehatan untuk Pengetahuan Kesehatan di Kalangan Pelajar tentang Cyber Bullying di Sekolah. Bakti Nusantara Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia, 1(2), 51-58. https://doi.org/10.63202/bnpmi.v1i2.66
Putri, F. S., Nazihah, Z., Ariningrum, D. P., Celesta, S., & Kharin Herbawani, C. (2022). Depresi Remaja di Indonesia: Penyebab dan Dampaknya Adolescent Depression in Indonesia: Causes and Effects. 10(2).
Ranti, N. B. P., Boekoesoe, L., & Ahmad, Z. F. (2022). Kebiasaan Konsumsi Kopi, Penggunaan Gadget, Stress dan Hubungannya dengan Kejadian Insomnia pada Mahasiswa. Jambura Journal of Epidemiology, 1(1), 20–28. https://doi.org/10.37905/jje.v1i1.15027
Sari, P., Herawati, D. M. D., Dhamayanti, M., & Hilmanto, D. (2022). Anemia among Adolescent Girls in West Java, Indonesia: Related Factors and Consequences on the Quality of Life. Nutrients, 14(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14183777
Sharm, A., & Kappor, P. (2025). Investigation of the relationship between internet addiction with emotion regulation in adolescent: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Community Nursing and Primary Care, 2(2), 65-74. https://doi.org/10.63202/jcnpc.v2i2.116
Schramme, T. (2023). Health as Complete Well-Being: The WHO Definition and Beyond. Public Health Ethics, 16(3), 210–218. https://doi.org/10.1093/phe/phad017
Surat, S., Govindaraj, Y. D., Ramli, S., & Yusop, Y. M. (2021). An Educational Study on Gadget Addiction and Mental Health among Gen Z. Creative Education, 12(07), 1469–1484. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.127112
Widya Ningrum, D., Kusbiantoro, D., Harmiardillah, S., Agung Firmansyah, R., & Suci Aristanto, F. (2025). The Correlation Between Parenting And Gadget Screen Time On Social Interaction Of School-Age Children. In JoViN Journal of Vocational Nursing (Vol. 6, Number 1). Number. https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JoViN
Zong, Z., Zhang, Y., Qiao, J., Tian, Y., & Xu, S. (2024). The association between screen time exposure and myopia in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19113-5
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Novita Elisabeth Daeli, Sanny Frisca, Aprida Manurung
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
