A Study on Technology Anxiety Among Different Ages and Genders

摘要

The internet and mobile phones have become the main communication tools of modern people. Users often unconsciously develop the habit of staring at their mobile phones and processing and focusing on a large number of messages at any given time. This habit causes a lot of anxiety for users. This study explores the causes of technology addiction and technology anxiety through the literature in an attempt to understand the main methods of relieving technology addiction and anxiety. The research uses online surveys to investigate the mobile phone usage behavior of users of different ages and genders, and its correlation to technology anxiety. The survey respondents total 204 smartphone users, ages ranging from 18 to 60 years old. We discovered the main time periods of smartphone use, the purpose of smartphone use, and the tendencies of mobile phone addiction and anxiety. Comparing the causes of mobile phone usage anxiety between different genders and age groups, we find the following: (1) The test subjects' demand for secondary functions of mobile phones have exceeded the demand for basic call functions. Mobile phones have already become the primary tool for socializing and gathering information from the outside world; (2) There is a difference in technology anxiety among different age; groups; those 31 to 40 years old, show the strongest levels of addiction; those 21 to 30 years old, display the highest levels of anxiety; (3) Women's addiction awareness and feelings of anxiety are greater than men's; (4) Users unaware of technology anxiety will underestimate their sense of dependence on mobile phones. The results of this research can provide researchers with an understanding of the technology dependence levels of users of different ages and genders, including their smart phone usage habits, and the main causes of anxiety. Referencing this information can assist in the development of countermeasures aimed at alleviating the effects of technology related anxiety.