doi:10.1038/s41598-025-28829-2engRamón-Arbués, EnriqueEchániz-Serrano, EmmanuelGranada-López, José ManuelSatústegui-Dordá, Pedro JoséFernández-Rodrigo, María TeresaSagarra-Romero, LucíaPrevalence and predictors of problematic smartphone use in a sample of Spanish undergraduate studentsART-2025-147281The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of problematic smartphone use (PSU) in a sample of young Spanish university students. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of university students. An online questionnaire collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behaviours, loneliness, life satisfaction and smartphone use. PSU was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine predictors of PSU. 545 students (52.5% female) participated in the study. PSU was present in 33.8% of participants. PSU was associated with duration of device use (OR = 1.39; 95%CI 1.22–1.58), smartphone use before sleep (OR = 3.31; 95%CI 1.32–8.30), preferred use for entertainment purposes (OR = 5.03; 95%CI 1.32–19.17), smoking (OR = 1.75; 95%CI 1.07–2.87), alcohol consumption (OR = 1.60; 95%CI 1.30–1.98) and loneliness (OR = 1.20; 95%CI 1.03–1.40). In contrast, high physical activity was a protective factor for PSU (OR = 0.55; 95%CI 0.31–0.98). Prevalence of PSU is high among Spanish university students. Loneliness, smartphone use habits and certain health-related behaviours are predictors of PSU. Our findings highlight the need to formulate policies and institutional guidelines that promoted a balanced use of technology.2025http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/16561710.1038/s41598-025-28829-2http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/165617oai:zaguan.unizar.es:165617info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/B53-23RScientific reports (Nature Publishing Group) 15, 45457 (2025), 12by-nc-ndhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.esinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess