Smartphone dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms among nursing students: the challenge of artificial intelligence
Abstract Background As we advance into the digital era, the latest challenge in smartphone technology is integrating artificial intelligence applications, which have recently been incorporated into learning environments. However, the intensified engagement with these devices has raised concerns abou...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Nursing |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03228-0 |
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| author | Lamiaa Abd El Hakeem Ali Maha Ibrahim El Bayoumy Ali Soheir Mohammed Ahmed Ali Abdulqadir J. Nashwan |
| author_facet | Lamiaa Abd El Hakeem Ali Maha Ibrahim El Bayoumy Ali Soheir Mohammed Ahmed Ali Abdulqadir J. Nashwan |
| author_sort | Lamiaa Abd El Hakeem Ali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background As we advance into the digital era, the latest challenge in smartphone technology is integrating artificial intelligence applications, which have recently been incorporated into learning environments. However, the intensified engagement with these devices has raised concerns about potential issues among nursing students. This study aimed to assess the relationship between Smartphone Dependency, Digital Amnesia, and Somatic Symptoms among nursing students who face Artificial Intelligence challenges. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in three public and three governmental universities in Egypt from July 1st to July 31st. A convenient sample of 495 nursing students participated in the study. Four instruments were used for data collection: The artificial intelligence usage questionnaire, the digital amnesia scale, the test of mobile phone dependence (TMD), and the somatic symptom scale-88 (SSS-88). Results The findings indicated a prevalence of low to moderate smartphone dependency, moderate digital amnesia, and a very high level of somatic symptoms among nursing students. Besides, AI usage and smartphone dependency had a statistically significant relation. As well, there was a statistically significant relation between smartphone dependency and both digital amnesia and somatic symptoms, P-value > 0.001. Conclusion The findings revealed that the role of AI presented challenges among nursing students and indicated a statistically significant relation between AI usage and smartphone dependency among nursing students (P < 0.000). Additionally, there was a statistically significant relation between smartphone dependency and both digital amnesia and somatic symptoms (P < 0.001, P < 0.000), respectively. Recommendations The findings of this study highlight the crucial role of key stakeholders, particularly nursing educators, in implementing targeted educational interventions. These include integrating digital well-being into nursing curricula and promoting practices such as digital breaks/digital detox periods in the classroom. Such strategies aim to encourage mindful smartphone use and help prevent comorbidities like dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c6c4b4bc830d476e8228098ae5e192c3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-6955 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nursing |
| spelling | doaj-art-c6c4b4bc830d476e8228098ae5e192c32025-08-20T03:22:12ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-05-0124111110.1186/s12912-025-03228-0Smartphone dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms among nursing students: the challenge of artificial intelligenceLamiaa Abd El Hakeem Ali0Maha Ibrahim El Bayoumy Ali1Soheir Mohammed Ahmed Ali2Abdulqadir J. Nashwan3Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo UniversityCommunity Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo UniversityNursing Administration Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo UniversityNursing Department, Hamad Medical CorporationAbstract Background As we advance into the digital era, the latest challenge in smartphone technology is integrating artificial intelligence applications, which have recently been incorporated into learning environments. However, the intensified engagement with these devices has raised concerns about potential issues among nursing students. This study aimed to assess the relationship between Smartphone Dependency, Digital Amnesia, and Somatic Symptoms among nursing students who face Artificial Intelligence challenges. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in three public and three governmental universities in Egypt from July 1st to July 31st. A convenient sample of 495 nursing students participated in the study. Four instruments were used for data collection: The artificial intelligence usage questionnaire, the digital amnesia scale, the test of mobile phone dependence (TMD), and the somatic symptom scale-88 (SSS-88). Results The findings indicated a prevalence of low to moderate smartphone dependency, moderate digital amnesia, and a very high level of somatic symptoms among nursing students. Besides, AI usage and smartphone dependency had a statistically significant relation. As well, there was a statistically significant relation between smartphone dependency and both digital amnesia and somatic symptoms, P-value > 0.001. Conclusion The findings revealed that the role of AI presented challenges among nursing students and indicated a statistically significant relation between AI usage and smartphone dependency among nursing students (P < 0.000). Additionally, there was a statistically significant relation between smartphone dependency and both digital amnesia and somatic symptoms (P < 0.001, P < 0.000), respectively. Recommendations The findings of this study highlight the crucial role of key stakeholders, particularly nursing educators, in implementing targeted educational interventions. These include integrating digital well-being into nursing curricula and promoting practices such as digital breaks/digital detox periods in the classroom. Such strategies aim to encourage mindful smartphone use and help prevent comorbidities like dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03228-0Smartphone dependencyDigital amnesiaSomatic symptomsNursing studentsArtificial intelligence |
| spellingShingle | Lamiaa Abd El Hakeem Ali Maha Ibrahim El Bayoumy Ali Soheir Mohammed Ahmed Ali Abdulqadir J. Nashwan Smartphone dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms among nursing students: the challenge of artificial intelligence BMC Nursing Smartphone dependency Digital amnesia Somatic symptoms Nursing students Artificial intelligence |
| title | Smartphone dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms among nursing students: the challenge of artificial intelligence |
| title_full | Smartphone dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms among nursing students: the challenge of artificial intelligence |
| title_fullStr | Smartphone dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms among nursing students: the challenge of artificial intelligence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Smartphone dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms among nursing students: the challenge of artificial intelligence |
| title_short | Smartphone dependency, digital amnesia, and somatic symptoms among nursing students: the challenge of artificial intelligence |
| title_sort | smartphone dependency digital amnesia and somatic symptoms among nursing students the challenge of artificial intelligence |
| topic | Smartphone dependency Digital amnesia Somatic symptoms Nursing students Artificial intelligence |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03228-0 |
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