• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.366-373
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• 2020

This study explored the factors associated with dependence among smartphone-dependent adults in their 20s. The data was derived from the 2017 survey on smartphone over-dependence conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency. The participants were 879 adults in their 20s. The data was analyzed by frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, independent t-tests, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed instant messengers as the most used application by participants. Participants in the high risk category of dependence also used SNS (Social Networking Services), music, and games more than those in the potential risk category. The more serious the dependence, the greater the frequency of smartphone use (β=.16, p=.000), and use of games (β=.10, p=.028), webtoons (β=.14, p=.004), SNS (β=.09, p=.047), and financial transactions (β=.17, p=.000). They did not recognize their smartphone dependence when it was relatively low. However, when this became serious, they then realized that they depended on the smartphone more than others. That means that it is not easy for adults to recognize their smartphone dependence on their own. However, recognition of the problem is the first step for adults to solve their problems. A program that evaluates their problematic smartphone use should be installed and used on all smartphones.