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Аlways with them: smartphone use by children, adolescents, and young adults—characteristics, habits of use, sharing, and satisfaction of needs

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Abstract

Because of the extensive use of smartphones by children, adolescents, and young adults, we set out to explore the characteristics and habits of usage of smartphones from their perspective, and to examine the relationship between usage habits and the satisfaction of needs. As part of a mixed-method study, 551 respondents from Israel completed the questionnaires, and 110 of the respondents were also interviewed. The study provides an explanation for the dramatic rise and the massive use of smartphones by children, adolescents, and young adults. The findings show that respondents feel that with the help of their smartphones they can maintain extensive communication with those around them, satisfying their important needs, and more. Respondents have become highly dependent on the use of various applications, which leads to an even more extensive use. As the use of smartphones increases, respondents feel that they are maximizing the potential offered by these applications.

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  1. Achva Academic College, Bar-Ilan University, 106 HaZayit, 79265, Emunim, Israel

    Gila Cohen Zilka

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  1. Gila Cohen Zilka
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Correspondence to Gila Cohen Zilka.

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The author declares that there is no competing interest.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study, and parental consent to children under the age of 18.

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The Ethics Committee of the Achva Academic College approved the research and the research tools.

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Zilka, G.C. Аlways with them: smartphone use by children, adolescents, and young adults—characteristics, habits of use, sharing, and satisfaction of needs. Univ Access Inf Soc 19, 145–155 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-018-0635-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-018-0635-3

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