1Assistant Professor, MIE-SPPU Institute of Higher Education (Savitribai Phule Pune University, Qatar Campus) Doha- Qatar, Email id: aasthashirodker@miesppu.edu.qa
2Professor and Head of the Department Department of Psychology (Undergraduate), St. Xavier’s College, Goa, India, Email id: janet.d@xaviercollegegoa.ac.in
Online published on 13 August, 2025.
The widespread adoption of smartphones has significantly altered students’ lifestyles, facilitating continuous connectivity and access to digital resources. However, increasing dependence on smartphones has prompted critical inquiries into their psychological effects. This study examined the relationships between smartphone addiction, perceived stress, and depression among students aged 15-28 years across five Indian states. Data were collected using convenience and snowball sampling methods from students (n=396) studying and residing in the states of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthanvia Google Forms. Correlational analyses indicated weak yet significant positive associations between smartphone addiction and both perceived stress and depression. Although no significant differences in smartphone addiction were observed based on age or gender, females reported significantly higher levels of depression. These findings highlight the growing needfor digital well-being interventions, and call for further exploration of the psychosocial dynamics of smartphone use among students.
Age And Gender Differences, Depression, Digital Well-Being, Indian Students, Perceived Stress, Smartphone Addiction
