The study, presented at the ‘European Psychiatric Association Congress 2025’ in Madrid, Spain, found that gender significantly influences excessive and problematic smartphone use—defined as psychological or behavioral dependence—with young females being more prone to higher levels of social anxiety compared to other genders.
In their book 'Investigating Clinical Psychology', psychologists Jonathan Stea and Stephen Hupp caution against mental health apps, mood-boosting supplements, and energy therapies, suggesting they may do 'more harm than good'.
