YOUNGMOB was implemented to contribute to the correct use of youngsters' mobile phones. The project's main idea was to work on teaching the youngsters between 10-15 years old how to use the mobile phone from the moment they started using it. This was addressed through two objectives. First, an innovative App was designed and developed to monitor youngsters' mobile usage and helped them with a virtual tutor in the process of learning the correct use of smartphones. Second, practical tools were delivered for parents and schoolteachers to promote the correct use of smartphones and avoid or reduce addictive behaviors. A set of recommendations for policymakers to prevent mobile addiction could also tackle its consequences. In this sense, YOUNGMOB contributed to facing the international challenge of mobile addiction, reinforcing the international collaboration between universities, schools, and other relevant stakeholders to promote at the European level the correct use of smartphones and reduce the addictive behaviors among youngsters.
YOUNGMOB is implemented to contribute to the correct use of youngsters' mobile phones. The project's main idea is to work on teaching the youngsters between 10-15 years old how to use the mobile phone from the moment they start using it. This is addressed through two objectives. First, to design and develop an innovative App to monitor youngsters' mobile use and help them with a virtual tutor in the process of learning the correct use of smartphones. Second, to deliver practical tools for parents and schoolteachers to promote the correct use of smartphones and avoid or reduce addictive behaviors. A set of recommendations for policymakers to prevent mobile addiction could also tackle its consequences. In this sense, YOUNGMOB is contributing to facing the international challenge of mobile addiction, reinforcing the international collaboration between universities, schools, and other relevant stakeholders to promote at the European level the correct use of smartphones and reduce the addictive behaviors among youngsters.
Smartphone addiction is a current topic that affects youngsters. Young people have a greater risk of addiction to these mobile devices (Weare, 2004) since they are more relevant and considered essential in their lives (Polo del Río et al., 2017). Besides, the amount of time dedicated to smartphones is directly related to a potential addiction to mobiles (Hawi & Samaha, 2016), derive in behavioral problems (Cho & Lee, 2017), mental diseases and disengagement with the learning process (Gökçearslan et al., 2016). Consequently, and despite some advantages, teachers and parents are sometimes in favour of prohibiting mobile use in classrooms (Gao et al., 2017). In this context, YOUNGMOB aimed to contribute to reducing or avoiding mobile addiction, helping youngsters between 10-15 years old be aware of how their smartphones are used and learn how to use them correctly, and making the most of mobile benefits in the learning process.