Assessing the Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Internet Gaming Disorder in Adolescents

The study was conducted to examine the interplay between smartphone addiction and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) among Indian adolescents, based on a questionnaire survey of 845 individuals. Results indicate that late adolescents were more vulnerable to smartphone addiction and IGD because they had higher disposable incomes and access to gaming technology. Males tend to be more affected by IGD due to social norms relating gaming to masculinity. In addition, rural adolescents have higher IGD levels compared with their urban peers, probably caused by competitive gaming and lack of awareness. In this study, there is a moderate positive relationship between smartphone addiction and IGD. It is found out that the significant predictors of IGD include smartphone addiction, gender, area of residency, and education level.