MOBILE ADDICTION, ATTITUDE AND PURPOSE OF USE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA

Psychologists have warned that mobile phone users are in danger for turning into enthusiastic about their devices. Mobile addiction can happen to anyone, including adolescent students. Hence, this study aimed to explore the trend of mobile addiction, attitude, and purpose of use relating to smartphones among varsity students in a public university in Malaysia. A descriptive research design was employed to identify any significant difference of mobile addiction, attitude and purpose of use among the university students based on gender. The research instrument used was an adaptation from previous studies related to mobile addiction. Data collection was conducted via Google Form through students' WhatsApp Groups, and the respondents consisted of undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Faculty of Education of a public university in Malaysia. The findings revealed that the students, in general, had a moderate level of mobile phone addiction. Their attitude towards smartphones was positive, and the primary purpose of use was associated with access to social media, making calls and taking pictures and videos. A significant difference was also identified between gender and two other variables, namely mobile addiction and attitude towards mobile phones. The overall findings of this study provide a meaningful contribution to understanding mobile phone addiction among students in higher education institutions. The implication of this finding highlights the need for institutions to consider conducting awareness programmes among students on the responsible use of mobile phones and the consequences of mobile phone addiction towards well-being in general.