Smartphone use and study behavior: A Korean and Australian comparison

Smartphone use amongst university students is widespread and a common practice while studying. However, this usage can lead to academic performance costs. This study examined the relationship between smartphone use during study, problematic smartphone use and academic performance in Korean and Australian university students. 119 Korean and 270 Australian students aged between 18 and 26 years completed a survey comprised of a smartphone usage questionnaire, smartphone addiction scale and self-report of their current GPA score. Average smartphone use and problematic smartphone use were found to be significantly higher for Korean compared to Australian students. A positive relationship was found between smartphone use and problematic smartphone use. For Australian students, a negative relationship was found between smartphone use and GPA. Results indicate that smartphone use and smartphone addiction proneness are currently higher for Korean students compared to Australian students. Furthermore, the more time a student spends using their smartphone, the more at risk they are for problematic smartphone use and possible academic performance costs.