Study of the use and consumption of mobile devices in university students

Abstract

Mobile devices are becoming an essential tool in the day-to-day and in relationships between students in recent years, thanks to their uses and potential. Despite this, excessive and inappropriate use can lead to dependence syndromes in some cases, a factor that can be increased by the isolation situation caused by COVID-19. This study aims to analyze the use and abuse of ICTs in the training of education professionals, before and after confinement. A longitudinal panel design with pre-test and post-test measures was used, applying the validated MULTICAGE-TIC instrument in a sample of 147 students from the Faculty of Education of the University of Malaga. The results reflect a significant increase in all ICT analyzed (internet, mobile, video games, instant messaging and social networks), going from non-problematic behaviors or considered risky before confinement, to abusive use after it in all scales except in video games, which reflect problematic use. The study reflects that the pandemic and restrictions on mobility and social interaction have led to an increase in the problematic use of ICT.