A groundbreaking study presented at the European Psychiatric Association Congress 2025 in Madrid has revealed that young females are more likely to experience heightened social anxiety due to excessive smartphone use compared to other genders. The research highlights the significant role gender plays in problematic smartphone use, emphasizing psychological and behavioral dependence and its impact on mental health.
Led by Dr. Csibi Sandor of George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Romania, the study uncovered a link between gender and factors such as the amount of time spent using smartphones and the fear of being negatively judged online. The findings indicate serious behavioral differences, with females being disproportionately affected, suffering higher levels of mental distress tied to their smartphone use.
“These results point to serious differences between genders in that females are much more likely to suffer mental ill health at the hands of a smartphone,” stated Sandor. The study also explored the implications of social interactivity, emotional understanding, and perceived social support, identifying these as influential factors exacerbated by problematic smartphone use.
The research analyzed a sample of 400 young adults with an average age of 25.9 years, including 104 men, 293 women, and three participants of other genders. The gender disparity in mental health outcomes highlights a need for targeted support and intervention strategies.
Co-author Neha Pirwani of Eotvos Lorand University, Hungary, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues. “Our findings add to previous studies showing that females can face increased suffering and, therefore, need additional attention, guidance, and help compared with other genders to identify problematic smartphone use and what this may lead to.”
Pirwani called for continued efforts to investigate the causes and consequences of smartphone-induced anxiety among younger generations, proposing that understanding these dynamics is key to developing effective solutions.
Professor Geert Dom, President of the European Psychiatric Association, echoed these concerns, noting the prevalence of smartphone use among Generation Z. “Nearly 100 percent of Generation Z own and use a smartphone,” Dom remarked. He cited evidence from cross-sectional, longitudinal, and empirical studies implicating smartphone and social media use as contributing factors to increased mental distress, self-injurious behavior, and suicidality among this age group.
Dom stressed the urgency of addressing these detrimental effects to ensure timely interventions and prevent long-term harm. The findings underscore the critical need for further research into behavioral differences between genders, their mental health implications, and effective support strategies for affected individuals.
