Research Article

The effect of new media literacy on problematic mobile phone usage among Russian university students

Marina R. Zheltukhina 1 * , Nataliia A. Kondakchian 2 , Denis A. Rudavin 2 , Olga V. Sergeeva 3 , Ekaterina I. Sokolova 4 , Maria L. Kunitsyna 5
More Detail
1 Scientific and Educational Center «Person in Communication», Pyatigorsk State University, Pyatigorsk, RUSSIA2 Institute of Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, RUSSIA3 Department of English Philology, Kuban State University, Krasnodar, RUSSIA4 Department of Foreign Languages, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, RUSSIA5 Department of Foreign Languages, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, RUSSIA* Corresponding Author
Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 15(2), April 2025, e202518, https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/16203
Published Online: 24 March 2025, Published: 01 April 2025
OPEN ACCESS   3422 Views   985 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to find the relationship between problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) and new media literacy (NML) among Sechenov University, Pyatigorsk State University, and Kuban State University in Russia students where the study is under progress. The study was conducted using a quantitative approach and included 425 undergraduate students. The data was evaluated using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM); the findings revealed a complex relationship between NML and PMPU. The results revealed that whilst functional production-consumption had a negative effect, functional consumption and critical production-consumption had a beneficial effect on social dissonance. It was noted that cognitive effects were affected differently by the NML aspects. Multiple group analysis based on gender showed that NML affects PMPU differently depending on gender. These findings imply that in some situations good media literacy may encourage problematic behavior rather than always resulting in low problematic use. The report underlines that media literacy initiatives should go beyond mere technical knowledge to increase awareness about sensible and balanced technology use. Furthermore covered are recommendations for next studies and constraints of the study.
Keywords: new media literacy, problematic mobile phone use, PLS-SEM, gender, Russia

CITATION (APA)

Zheltukhina, M. R., Kondakchian, N. A., Rudavin, D. A., Sergeeva, O. V., Sokolova, E. I., & Kunitsyna, M. L. (2025). The effect of new media literacy on problematic mobile phone usage among Russian university students. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 15(2), e202518. https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/16203

REFERENCES

  1. Abd Elsalam Abd Elazeem, A., Mohamed Ahmed, F., & Nabawy Abo Zeid, E. (2023). Perceived stress, resilience and problematic use of mobile phone among nursing students at Benha University. Journal of Nursing Science-Benha University, 4(1), 981–995. https://doi.org/10.21608/jnsbu.2023.279986
  2. Afrilyasanti, R., Basthomi, Y., & Zen, E. L. (2023). EFL students’ participations and teachers’ roles in online discussion forum for critical media literacy learning. Contemporary Educational Technology, 15(2), Article ep414. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/12965
  3. Archila, P. A., Danies, G., Molina, J., Truscott de Mejía, A. M., & Restrepo, S. (2021). Towards COVID-19 literacy: Investigating the literacy levels of university students in Colombia. Science and Education, 30(4), 785–808. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-021-00222-1
  4. Balaban-Sali, J. (2012). New media literacies of communication students. Contemporary Educational Technology, 2012(4), 265–277. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6083
  5. Bianchi, A., & Phillips, J. G. (2005). Psychological predictors of problem mobile phone use. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 8(1), 39–51. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2005.8.39
  6. Billieux, J. (2012). Problematic use of the mobile phone: A literature review and a pathways model. Current Psychiatry Reviews, 8(4), 299–307. https://doi.org/10.2174/157340012803520522
  7. Candussi, C. J., Kabir, R., & Sivasubramanian, M. (2023). Problematic smartphone usage, prevalence and patterns among university students: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 14, Article 100643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100643
  8. Chaudhry, Z. T. , Zulfiqar, A., & Hassan, I. (2023). Nexus between addiction to mobile phones and sense of loneliness among students of social sciences in Sargodha, Pakistan. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 4(4), 362–372. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2023(4-IV)33
  9. Chen, D. T., Lin, T. Bin, Li, J. Y., & Lee, L. (2018). Establishing the norm of new media literacy of Singaporean students: Implications to policy and pedagogy. Computers & Education, 124, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.04.010
  10. Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2017). Research methods in education. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315456539
  11. Collins, J., Doyon, D., McAuley, C., & Quijada, A. I. (2011). Reading, writing, and deconstructing: Media literacy as part of the school curriculum. In G. Wan, & D. Gut (Eds.), Bringing schools into the 21st century. Explorations of educational purpose, vol 13 (pp. 159–185). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0268-4_8
  12. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE.
  13. De-Sola, J., Talledo, H., Rodríguez de Fonseca, F., & Rubio, G. (2017). Prevalence of problematic cell phone use in an adult population in Spain as assessed by the mobile phone problem use scale (MPPUS). PLoS ONE, 12(8), Article e0181184. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181184
  14. Elhai, J. D., Hall, B. J., Levine, J. C., & Dvorak, R. D. (2017). Types of smartphone usage and relations with problematic smartphone behaviors: The role of content consumption vs. social smartphone use. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 11(2), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2017-2-3
  15. Fedorov, A. (2014). Media education in Russia: Past and present. European Researcher, 67(1-2), 168–175.
  16. Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312
  17. Fraenkel, J., Wallen, N., & Hyun, H. (2012). How to design and evaluate research in education. McGraw-Hill Education.
  18. Hair Jr, J. F., Matthews, L. M., Matthews, R. L., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). PLS-SEM or CB-SEM: Updated guidelines on which method to use. International Journal of Multivariate Data Analysis, 1(2), 107–123. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMDA.2017.087624
  19. Harris, B., Regan, T., Schueler, J., & Fields, S. A. (2020). Problematic mobile phone and smartphone use scales: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00672
  20. Ikhwan, I., & Karlina, M. (2023). The impact of overusing smartphones on social interaction patterns on students at faculty of social science Universitas Negeri Padang. Jurnal Ranah Komunikasi, 7(2), 80–85. https://doi.org/10.25077/rk.7.2.7-12.2023
  21. Jiang, W., Luo, J., Guan, H., Jiang, F., & Tang, Y. L. (2022). Problematic mobile phone use and life satisfaction among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai, China. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.805529
  22. Jing, C. W., & Wang, Y. (2011). Unpacking new media literacy. Journal on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 9(2), 84–88.
  23. Kabha, R. (2019). Cognitive, affective, social and cultural aspects of teaching and learning in media studies. European Journal of Educational Research, 8(4), 1287–1294. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.8.4.1287
  24. Kircaburun, K., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). The dark side of internet: Preliminary evidence for the associations of dark personality traits with specific online activities and problematic internet use. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7(4), 993–1003. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7.2018.109
  25. Koc, M., & Barut, E. (2016). Development and validation of new media literacy scale (NMLS) for university students. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 834–843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.035
  26. Kress, G. (2003). Literacy in the new media age. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203299234
  27. Kwon, M., Kim, D. J., Cho, H., & Yang, S. (2013). The smartphone addiction scale: Development and validation of a short version for adolescents. PLoS ONE, 8(12), Article e83558. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0083558
  28. Lakshika, R., & Bulathwatta, A. (2023). Impact of mobile phone dependence on social anxiety among university students. In Proceedings of SLIIT International Conference on Advancements in Sciences and Humanities (pp. 525–530). https://doi.org/10.54389/PMUJ9915
  29. Lee, E. H., Lee, T., & Lee, B. K. (2022). Understanding the role of new media literacy in the diffusion of unverified information during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Media & Society, 26(9), 5195–5218. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448221130955
  30. Leung, C. H. (2017). Assessing mobile phone dependency and teens’ everyday life in Hong Kong. Australian Journal of Psychology, 69(1), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12115
  31. Levin, K. A. (2006). Study design III: Cross-sectional studies. Evidence-Based Dentistry, 7(1), 24–25. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400375
  32. Liu, H., Vachova, L., & Plevova, I. (2024). Effect of mobile phone dependence on various aspects of academic achievement: Evidence from Chinese and Czech university students. Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 14(2), 20–26. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.14.02.03
  33. Long, S., Zhu, T., & Chen, X. (2023). With high new media literacy, can we prevent problematic internet use?–A case study of Chinese college students. Digital Education Review, 44, 33–44. https://doi.org/10.1344/der.2023.44.33-44
  34. Lopez-Fernandez, O., Honrubia-Serrano, L., Freixa-Blanxart, M., & Gibson, W. (2014). Prevalence of problematic mobile phone use in British adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(2), 91–98. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0260
  35. Luo, Y. F., Yang, S. C., & Kang, S. (2022). New media literacy and news trustworthiness: An application of importance-performance analysis. Computers & Education, 185, Article 104529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104529
  36. Marín, V., Sampedro, B. E., Ortega, J. M., & Figueroa, J. (2022). Predictive factors of problematic smartphone use in young Spanish university students. Heliyon, 8(9), Article e10429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10429
  37. Marino, C., Canale, N., Melodia, F., Spada, M. M., & Vieno, A. (2021). The overlap between problematic smartphone use and problematic social media use: A systematic review. Current Addiction Reports, 8(4), 469–480. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-021-00398-0
  38. Martynenko, E. V., Sultanbayeva, G. S., Matvienko, V. V., Bazanova, A. E., Martynenko, E. V., Muratova, N. F., & Martynenko, S. E. (2024). Adaptation of problematic mobile phone usage scale (PMPUS) among students from countries of the commonwealth of independent states in Russian university. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 14(4), Article e202463. https://doi.org/10.30935/ojcmt/15695
  39. Mezentsev, G. (2021). Media education in Russia and the USA: An analysis of historical development. Mediaalmanah, 102(1), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.30547/mediaalmanah.1.2021.3543
  40. Munusamy, K. A., & Ahmad Ghazali, A. H. (2023). Factors that contributing in influencing mobile phone usage among university students. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(14), 218–231. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i14/18372
  41. Mushtaq, I. (2024). The impact of smartphones on the academic performance of university students. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Research in Education, Teaching, and Learning (pp. 13–25). https://doi.org/10.33422/aretl.v1i1.188
  42. O’connor, L. (2009). Information literacy as professional legitimation: A critical analysis. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 50(2), 79–89.
  43. Orhan, A. (2023). Fake news detection on social media: The predictive role of university students’ critical thinking dispositions and new media literacy. Smart Learning Environments, 10, Article 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00248-8
  44. Park, S., & Burford, S. (2013). A longitudinal study on the uses of mobile tablet devices and changes in digital media literacy of young adults. Educational Media International, 50(4), 266–280. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523987.2013.862365
  45. Roig-Merino, B., Sigalat-Signes, E., Miret-Pastor, L., & Suárez-Guerrero, C. (2024). University students’ perceptions of how mobile phones influence their academic performance. A case study in Valencia, Spain. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(8), Article 5779. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i8.5779
  46. Sarici, Y., & Sayan, I. (2023). Evaluation of the relationship between internet and smartphone addiction and loneliness among university students. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences, 6, 305–318. https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1356505
  47. Sarraf, F., Abbasi, S., & Varmazyar, S. (2023). Self-management exercises intervention on text neck syndrome among university students using smartphones. Pain Management Nursing, 24(6), 595–602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2023.04.005
  48. Sarstedt, M., Ringle, C. M., Smith, D., Reams, R., & Hair Jr, J. F. (2014). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): A useful tool for family business researchers. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 5(1), 105–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfbs.2014.01.002
  49. Shin, C. Y., & Zanuddin, H. (2019). New media literacy and media use among university students in Malaysia. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology, 8(5), 469–474. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijeat.E1066.0585C19
  50. Sohn, S., Rees, P., Wildridge, B., Kalk, N. J., & Carter, B. (2019). Prevalence of problematic smartphone usage and associated mental health outcomes amongst children and young people: A systematic review, meta-analysis and GRADE of the evidence. BMC Psychiatry, 19, Article 356. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2350-x
  51. Stein, L., & Prewett, A. (2009). Media literacy education in the social studies: Teacher perceptions and curricular challenges. Teacher Education Quarterly, 36(1), 131–148.
  52. Sujon, Z., & Dyer, H. T. (2020). Understanding the social in a digital age. New Media and Society, 22(7), 1125–1134. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820912531
  53. Svensson, R., Johnson, B., & Olsson, A. (2022). Does gender matter? The association between different digital media activities and adolescent well-being. BMC Public Health, 22, Article 273. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12670-7
  54. Taibi, D., Scifo, L., Bruno, N., & Fulantelli, G. (2023). Social media literacy to support a conscious use of social media in adolescents and improve their psychological well-being: A pilot study. Sustainability, 15(17), Article 12726. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712726
  55. Teo, J. K. H., Chionh, I. Y. L., Bin Shaul Hamed, N. A., & Lai, C. (2023). Problematic smartphone usage in Singaporean university students: An analysis of self-reported versus objectively measured smartphone usage patterns. Healthcare, 11(23), Article 3033. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11233033
  56. Tolokonnikova, A., Dunas, D., & Kulchitskaya, D. (2020). Social media and adolescents: Possibilities for satisfying psychological needs. Results of in-depth interviews with Russian pupils and university students. World of Media, 2020(4), 37–56. https://doi.org/10.30547/worldofmedia.4.2020.2
  57. Tyner, K. (2009). Media literacy and the tyranny of the narrative. Afterimage, 37(2), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1525/aft.2009.37.2.3
  58. Wei, X., An, F., Liu, C., Li, K., Wu, L., Ren, L., & Liu, X. (2023). Escaping negative moods and concentration problems play bridge roles in the symptom network of problematic smartphone use and depression. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.981136
  59. Williams-Buttari, D., Deshais, M. A., Reeve, K. F., & Reeve, S. A. (2023). A preliminary evaluation of the effects of a contingency management + deposit contract intervention on problematic smartphone use with college students. Behavior Modification, 47(2), 476–503. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455221113561
  60. Xie, X., Gai, X., & Zhou, Y. (2019). A meta-analysis of media literacy interventions for deviant behaviors. Computers & Education, 139, 146–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.05.008
  61. Yildiz Durak, H., & Saritepeci, M. (2019). Modeling the effect of new media literacy levels and social media usage status on problematic internet usage behaviors among high school students. Education and Information Technologies, 24(4), 2205–2223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-09864-9
  62. Yu, S., & Sussman, S. (2020). Does smartphone addiction fall on a continuum of addictive behaviors? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(2), Article 422. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020422
  63. Zheltukhina, M. R., Mouzykant, V. L., Barabash, V. V., Ponomarenko, E. B., Morozova, E. V., & Mori, S. (2017). Russian and Japanese younger generations in search for a new media product. Man in India, 97(3), 223–236.
  64. Zheng, Q., Liu, S., Zheng, J., Gu, M., & He, W. (2023). College students’ loneliness and problematic mobile phone use: Mediation by fear of missing out. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 33(2), 115–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/14330237.2023.2182033