Smartphones have become indispensable tools for university students, connecting them to information, entertainment, and social networks.

However, a new study by the Department of Physiotherapy and Sports Science at KNUST has revealed a troubling correlation between excessive smartphone use and declining physical and mental well-being.

Published in Advances in Biomedical and Health Sciences, the research surveyed 404 undergraduates at a Ghanaian university. The findings were striking: 79.95% of participants exhibited high smartphone addiction, while a staggering 99.26% reported neck disabilities exceeding normal levels.

This prevalence of neck issues highlights the physical toll of prolonged screen time, with students often hunched over their devices for hours. The study's lead author, Edmund Kwarteng Baah, calls on universities and healthcare professionals to prioritize robust awareness campaigns.

“These campaigns should aim to equip students with effective strategies to manage screen time and mitigate the adverse effects of smartphone dependency,” Baah emphasized.

The study's co-authors include Anthony Mensah Asamoah, Raymond Amoakoh, Emmanuella Agbewu, Eleazer Kofi Mensah Brown, Emmanuel Akom, Prince De-Gualle Deku and Monday Omoniyi Moses.