Mobile phone dependence: Secondary school pupils' attitudes

This paper regards a study aiming to investigate secondary school pupils' attitudes regarding mobile phone possible dependence. A 26-item questionnaire was administered to 504 pupils aged 12-18 years old, in Greece. Around half of the sample reported perceptions linked to the social motivational aspect of the mobile phones (peer dependence), phone use in order to feel better, as well as some negative consequences (loss of control). Three factors were extracted, "negative consequences", "withdrawal" and "affect". Little self-perceived mobile phone dependence seems to exist among adolescents (slight levels of craving, withdrawal and loss of control were revealed). Girls reported higher dependence in comparison to boys, while grade (or age) had no effect on any factor. This questionnaire provides a reliable tool that can be used to study various dimensions of addiction to mobile phones. It is suggested to be used with other adolescent populations of different countries, in order to reveal possible similarities and differences. Implications for educational policy makers, teachers and pupils are discussed.