Do regular exercise, gender, and age influence smartphone addiction? Analyzing screen time and smartphone deprivation symptoms

While exercise may not reduce SA, exercisers exhibit a weaker link between SA and smartphone use, suggesting less problematic usage, possibly due to more utilitarian (e.g., sports-related) rather than hedonic use. Females report higher SA, feelings of deprivation, and screen time than males, while age correlates with increased SA, feelings of deprivation, and screen time. Future research should examine psychosocial mechanisms and diverse smartphone usage patterns in addiction in connection with exercise behavior.