Many young Hongkongers unable to control their smartphone addiction, new survey finds
More than 30 per cent of respondents said they were on their phones three to four hours per day
More than half of city youngsters are on their smartphones for over three hours a day and it’s affecting their grades, daily routines and family lives, according to a survey by a concern group.
At least 40 per cent of the 992 mostly secondary school students, aged 11 to 20, questioned on mobile usage and habits admitted they could only muster some or, at worst, no self-control in their use of mobile devices.
The survey was conducted between October and November last year by the Anti- Pornographic and Violence Media Campaign.
The group is a coalition of conservative educators, social workers, parents and religious groups that seeks to protect youngsters from indecent influences in the mass media.
About 78 per cent of respondents said intense smartphone use had affected daily routines and 72 per cent admitted their grades had suffered.
A third of respondents said they were on their devices three to four hours a day, while a quarter admitted to five to six hours or more. Top uses cited were listening to music, social media, instant messaging and playing games.