Towards Understanding Nomophobia: A Systematic Review of Its Prevalence, Causes, and Effects in Educational Settings

Abstract

This article analyzes the causes and consequences of excessive mobile device use among university students and its impact on mental health and academic performance through a review of studies published between 2018 and 2023. Articles were selected from Scopus and Web of Science databases that included "nomophobia" and "education" in the title, abstract, or keywords, and that were open access. The final analysis included 30 articles organized into 14 thematic categories. The most addressed topics were consequences, causes, levels, and factors that determine nomophobia. It was found that excessive mobile device use is mainly due to the constant need to stay connected and the fear of missing out on social media information. This technological dependence manifests in symptoms such as anxiety, stress, nervousness, and physical health problems, such as thumb and wrist pain, visual fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Nomophobia negatively impacts academic performance by interfering with the attention and concentration necessary for learning. Although educational technology does not seem to be a risk factor, it is crucial to promote a balanced use of mobile devices. Family intervention and education on the risks of excessive mobile use are essential to mitigate these effects and foster healthy technology use.

Received: 2 August 2024 / Accepted: 30 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024