The general assumption around smartphone use is that overdoing it can lead to a worsened mood and mental state. In spite of the fact that this is the case, a new study coming out of the journal known as Clinical Psychological Science seems to suggest that there is not necessarily a correlation between the two things with all things having been considered and taken into account.
However, this information may get taken out of context. The study analyzed smartphone usage, including social media (such as TikTok/Instagram information and productivity apps, and how someone’s mood could make it go up or down. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that there was no correlation found between college students feeling like their mood was off and their desire to use smartphones far more often than might have been the case otherwise.
The idea that smartphones can be used as coping mechanisms is quite popular, but the study does not seem to confirm these assumptions. In spite of the fact that this is the case, a correlation was certainly found between overusing smartphones and experiencing a decline in mental health.
Essentially, having a bad day will not necessarily lead to you using smartphones more frequently over the course of the day. However, using smartphones more than you need may end up creating a bad mood that you will struggle to overcome because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up firing serotonin receptors and sending them into overdrive.
Excessive use of entertainment apps in particular was found to lead to an irritable state of mind. College students who participated in this study used their smartphones for around 7 hours a day on average, and the usage did not go up around exam season which is when stress usually hits its peak.
One thing to note here is that this study is just the first of many to come. More analysis will be done before anything can be confirmed, but the findings in this study do indicate that there is more under the surface.
Read next: This Data Shows Smartphone Brands Perform Best on Home Turf
However, this information may get taken out of context. The study analyzed smartphone usage, including social media (such as TikTok/Instagram information and productivity apps, and how someone’s mood could make it go up or down. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that there was no correlation found between college students feeling like their mood was off and their desire to use smartphones far more often than might have been the case otherwise.
The idea that smartphones can be used as coping mechanisms is quite popular, but the study does not seem to confirm these assumptions. In spite of the fact that this is the case, a correlation was certainly found between overusing smartphones and experiencing a decline in mental health.
Essentially, having a bad day will not necessarily lead to you using smartphones more frequently over the course of the day. However, using smartphones more than you need may end up creating a bad mood that you will struggle to overcome because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up firing serotonin receptors and sending them into overdrive.
Excessive use of entertainment apps in particular was found to lead to an irritable state of mind. College students who participated in this study used their smartphones for around 7 hours a day on average, and the usage did not go up around exam season which is when stress usually hits its peak.
One thing to note here is that this study is just the first of many to come. More analysis will be done before anything can be confirmed, but the findings in this study do indicate that there is more under the surface.
Read next: This Data Shows Smartphone Brands Perform Best on Home Turf
