Examining smartphone usage behaviour in the COVID-19 era: Implications for post-pandemic usage and dependence patterns

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a significant surge in smartphone usage, turning it into an essential tool for maintaining social connections, working remotely, and accessing information and entertainment. As a global situational and contextual disruption, this shift in smartphone usage during the pandemic has far-reaching implications, shaping post-pandemic usage patterns and potential dependencies on digital technology. Guided primarily by the Uses and Gratifications Theory and informed by a situational–contextual perspective, this study examines pandemic-induced changes in smartphone behaviour across different socio-demographic groups. A cross-sectional online survey involving 515 adult pa..