Overview

• A peer‑reviewed PLOS One survey of 407 adults aged 18 to 25 found that evening‑type young people are more likely to report problematic smartphone use and social media addiction.
• Analyses identified loneliness and anxiety as the key pathways linking late sleep‑wake preference to unhealthy technology use, with loneliness reported as the stronger predictor.
• Authors describe a vicious cycle in which late‑active young adults feel socially out of sync, turn to phones to cope, and experience worsening distress.
• Problematic smartphone use was characterized by anxiety when separated from the phone, neglect of responsibilities, and compulsive notification checking that disrupts daily life.
• The researchers recommend targeted education and accessible late‑evening support for students and other young adults that address loneliness and anxiety rather than simply reducing screen time.