Smartphones have become an essential part of our lives, making it difficult to live without them. They are especially important for teenagers, who are highly sensitive to trends and rely on social communication. In a world where almost everything can be done with smartphones, excessive smartphone use has become a concern as it goes beyond normal use and reaches a point where it becomes difficult to control.

According to statistics released in May 2026, 43% of teenagers were classified as being at risk of smartphone overdependence. This indicates an increase of 6% points from 37% in 2021 and a 0.4% point increase from 42.6% in 2024.

In other words, more than 4 out of 10 teenagers can be considered at risk of smartphone overdependence. Internet usage has also increased. Teenagers spend an average of 27.3 hours per week on the internet, which is 7.3 hours more than last year. Digital content accounts for a large portion of teenagers’ free time. Watching video content was the most popular activity, with 85.7% of teenagers choosing it.

Photo: Google

However, it is difficult to determine smartphone overdependence based solely on the amount of time spent using a smartphone. Smartphones are not simply a source of dopamine. They are used for various activities that make our lives more convenient. Therefore, rather than simply judging overdependence based on screen time, it is important to consider whether individuals can control their use and whether it affects their daily lives.

The statistic that 43.0% of teenagers are at risk of smartphone overdependence reminds us to look at how much time we spend on our phones and consider whether we are using them in a healthy and self-directed way.

차서윤 강남포스트 학생기자  webmaster@ignnews.kr

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