Scientists find a hidden problem with endless smartphone scrolling

Researchers at Semmelweis University have found that problematic smartphone use is closely associated with poor self-control and a strong fear of missing out (FOMO), rather than personality traits alone. Their findings also highlight potential consequences for the brain and body. Heavy scrolling is linked to poorer memory, reduced concentration, and disrupted sleep, while prolonged phone use may contribute to posture problems that affect balance and reaction time.

The study, published in Acta Psychologica, suggests that understanding how people interact with their phones could be just as important as monitoring their daily screen time.

What Makes Some People More Vulnerable to Smartphone Addiction?

To investigate the effects of smartphone habits, researchers at Semmelweis University studied students between the ages of 18 and 35, examining their phone use alongside measures of mental health, physical health, and cognitive performance.

Participants completed online questionnaires about their daily smartphone activities, including how much time they spent actively using their devices and what they typically did on them. They were also asked whether using their phones had caused them to miss planned activities and whether they continued thinking about their phones even when they were not using them.

The researchers then examined several psychological factors that might influence problematic smartphone use. These included self-control, fear of missing out on social experiences, and neuroticism, a personality trait associated with a greater tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, fear, and anger.

By analyzing these responses, the team identified three distinct patterns of smartphone use.

People in the "pure social" group primarily used their phones to communicate with friends, maintain relationships, and interact with others. Those classified as "light process" users spent less than four to five hours a day using their phones for a mixture of social interaction, news, entertainment, and passive scrolling.

The third group, known as "heavy process" users, accounted for approximately one third of participants. These individuals spent four to five hours or more on their phones each day, largely consuming online content rather than communicating directly with other people.

The differences between these groups helped researchers identify the factors most strongly associated with problematic phone habits.

"Our main finding is that personality alone -- such as a high level of neuroticism -- does not make someone addicted to their phone. People who are more prone to negative emotions like anxiety, depression, or stress do not automatically become addicted. What really matters is how well they can control their behavior, emotions, and impulses, and how strongly they fear missing out," said Dr. Johanna Takács, senior research fellow at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Semmelweis University and lead researcher of the study.

Why Endless Smartphone Scrolling May Be Worse Than Screen Time Alone

One of the most important findings was that the type of smartphone activity mattered, particularly when it came to attention, memory, and other aspects of mental performance.

Passively scrolling through social media feeds or watching one short video after another exposes users to a rapid stream of changing information. The researchers suggest that this constant stimulation can strain attention, make sustained concentration more difficult, and contribute to mental fatigue.

Cognitive testing revealed that participants in the heavy process group performed worse on memory and attention tasks than would be expected for their age. They also reported poorer sleep, a stronger desire for continuous stimulation, and greater difficulty resisting the urge to immediately check their phones or act on impulses.

These findings suggest that spending hours consuming content may be associated with different mental outcomes than using a phone primarily to communicate with others. However, the results do not establish that scrolling directly causes the observed differences in cognitive performance.

How Smartphone Use Can Affect Posture and Balance

Although the way people used their phones appeared especially important for cognitive performance, total usage time was more closely associated with physical consequences.

One concern is the posture people adopt while looking at their screens. Holding a smartphone below eye level often causes the head to tilt forward, placing additional pressure on the neck and surrounding structures.

Over time, this position can contribute to what is commonly called text neck, a posture problem that may have consequences beyond neck discomfort.

"When people hold their phones at waist or chest level and look down at them, the head moves forward, creating a forward head posture, also known as "text neck." This puts extra strain on the neck and can cause pain or early wear and tear of the neck joints. The neck contains receptors that tell the brain how the head is positioned. If a forward head posture is maintained for long periods, these signals can change and lead to balance problems. These effects are not limited to phone use but can also influence everyday movements," said Beáta Seregély, assistant lecturer and expert responsible for the physical measurements in the study.

These effects may occur because the neck plays an important role in helping the brain understand the position and movement of the head. When prolonged forward head posture changes the information coming from these sensory receptors, it may interfere with balance and coordination during everyday activities.

The researchers also highlighted potential effects on reaction time and concentration, suggesting that excessive phone use could have consequences extending beyond the moments spent looking at a screen.

Simple Ways to Reduce the Risks of Smartphone Overuse

Despite these concerns, the researchers do not believe that eliminating smartphones from young people's lives is the answer. Instead, they recommend developing healthier habits and becoming more aware of how and why phones are used.

Practical strategies include reducing unnecessary notifications, particularly from social media and messaging applications, and setting limits on time spent browsing social platforms. Avoiding smartphone use before bedtime may also help protect sleep, while regular physical activity and better posture could reduce some of the physical strain associated with prolonged use.

The psychological side of smartphone use may be equally important.

Because weak self-control and fear of missing out were strongly associated with problematic use, the researchers emphasize helping young people manage impulses and feel less pressure to stay constantly connected. Behavioral training and psychological support could help strengthen these skills.

The findings suggest that even people who are naturally more anxious, emotionally sensitive, or vulnerable to stress are not necessarily destined to develop unhealthy smartphone habits. Better self-control and less fear of missing out may substantially reduce that vulnerability.

Ultimately, the research points to an important distinction. Reducing screen time can be helpful, but changing how people use their smartphones may be just as important for protecting attention, sleep, and overall well-being.