Equity and access to a regional child and youth mental health and addiction navigation service: a secondary analysis study.

The rapid evolution of information technology has positioned smartphones as an essential component of modern life, facilitating communication, information access, and social connectivity. Globally, smartphone adoption has increased substantially, rising by 38.38% since 2021 and reaching an estimated 4.69 billion users in 2025, with projections indicating further growth to 5.83 billion users by 2028 []. Malaysia reflects these global trends, with approximately 29 million smartphone users recorded in 2021, a figure expected to increase alongside the nation’s projected population growth of 1.74 million by 2025 []. Worldwide, younger individuals are consistently identified as the predominant users of smartphone technology [, ], and Malaysia is no exception. National data indicate that individuals aged 20 to 34 demonstrated the highest ownership rate at 93.6% in 2021 [], a finding further supported by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) 2021 survey, which reported usage rates exceeding 80% among those under 35 years of age []. Together, these trends highlight the pervasive and increasing reliance on smartphones among younger populations. As smartphone usage continues to surge, concerns regarding smartphone addiction have gained prominence. Smartphone addiction which also referred to as problematic or compulsive smartphone use encompasses excessive and uncontrolled patterns of use that interfere with daily functioning, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being [, ]. Recent statistics from 2024 report that individuals now spend an average of 4.49 h per day on their smartphones [], while Peng et al. documented daily usage exceeding 5 h among Chinese university students []. Increasing screen time has been closely associated with the risk of smartphone addiction, a trend consistently observed across global populations [, ]. These patterns underscore the importance of examining smartphone use behaviours and their potential psychosocial consequences, particularly among younger adults who demonstrate the highest levels of engagement. Growing evidence suggests that smartphone addiction is closely intertwined with various aspects of psychological distress, particularly depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Excessive smartphone use has been associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, potentially due to disrupted sleep patterns, reduced physical activity, and increased engagement in passive or emotionally triggering online content [, ]. Furthermore, individuals with anxiety may rely on smartphones as a coping mechanism to alleviate discomfort, maintain constant social connection, or avoid stressful situations; however, this reliance can reinforce maladaptive behaviours and exacerbate anxiety over time []. Loneliness has also been identified as a significant correlate of smartphone addiction, with lonely individuals more likely to use smartphones as a means of seeking virtual social interaction or emotional comfort []. While such coping strategies may provide temporary relief, prolonged dependence on digital engagement can contribute to heightened isolation, reduced face-to-face interaction, and deeper feelings of loneliness [].