Communication Preferences and Factors Predicting Smartphone Addiction Among Four Generations of Australians: Gender and Generational Differences

Abstract

Smartphones are commonly used for socializing, entertainment, and information-seeking. However, excessive and problematic usage may lead to smartphone addiction, which is linked to cognitive and attentional deficits and mental health issues globally. Historically, age and gender have been found to influence smartphone usage. Furthermore, the relationship between communication preferences (via mobile-technology versus in-person) and usage, and addictive tendencies is understudied. Past research has seldom explored older age groups. This study investigates generational (“Gen-Z,” “Gen-X,” “Gen-Y,” and Baby-Boomers) and gender differences in smartphone usage, communication preferences, and factors predicting smartphone addiction scores (SAS). The study surveyed 894 adults aged 18–80 years to examine interpersonal communication preferences, daily hours of smartphone usage, and SAS. Participants were recruited via snowball sampling through digital and printed media. Daily hours of usage and SAS were closely related and shown to reduce after the age of 40 years. Generations “Z” and “Y” reported the highest daily use and scored higher in SAS than the older generations. Women scored higher in SAS than men in all generations except “Gen-X.” Age, hours of usage, and preference for mobile communication predicted SAS, but gender did not. Overall, people prefer to communicate with others in-person more than via mobile-technology. The findings identify significant generational and gender differences in daily usage, addiction scores, and communication preferences. Preference to communicate more via mobile-technology than in-person predicted SAS. Future research needs to investigate smartphone usage among all age groups and genders to clarify the risks and protective factors associated with smartphone addiction.