Smartphone and Social Network Addiction,Physical Activity,and Self-Esteem Among Spanish Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study of Associations and Gender Differences

Smartphone addiction (SA) and social network addiction (SNA) have emerged as growing public health concerns, as they may negatively affect well-being, physical activity (PA) behavior and self-esteem. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations of SA and SNA with PA and self-esteem in adolescents. Additionally, it was intended to examine differences in these digital addictions by self-esteem levels and gender. A cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational study was conducted in seven secondary schools, involving 562 students (47.98% boys, 49.29% girls) aged 14 to 18 years. Participants completed a set of questionnaires, including the Smartphone Addiction Scale, the Social Media Addiction Scale, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The results showed that SA was inversely correlated with PA (p = 0.009), whereas SNA was only correlated with moderate-intensity PA (p = 0.026). Adolescents with low and moderate self-esteem reported higher levels of SA and SNA, as well as lower levels of PA compared to those with high self-esteem. In addition, boys showed lower levels of SA and SNA, higher PA levels (p < 0.001), and better self-esteem than girls (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the present study suggests that SA and SNA may be negatively associated with both PA and self-esteem, with girls appearing more vulnerable to these digital addictions. These findings may provide insights for intervention strategies aimed at improving adolescent well-being and emphasize the need to focus such interventions on promoting self-esteem and reducing excessive use of digital services.