SMARTPHONE ADDICTION: A BOON OR BANE FOR PAKISTANI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The use of smartphones has enormously increased among students around the world. Few studies have focused on this critical issue in Pakistan. This study examined the influence of Smartphone addiction in Pakistan. A survey questionnaire was utilized to collect data consisting of three dimensions: (a) Smartphone usage, (b) textbook use, and (c) self-study. A total of 401 university students responded to the survey. The data were analyzed by calculating descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and ANOVA. The results showed significant differences in students' perceptions of all three dimensions of the questionnaire regarding gender, age, Grade Point Average (GPA), and year (academic session). Male students were found to have a higher tendency towards Smartphone use than female students compared to textbook use and self-study. The results of this study have broader policy implications for researchers and teachers of higher education.