Abstract

Mobile phone use is banned or illegal under certain circumstances and in some jurisdictions. Nevertheless, some people still use their mobile phones despite recognised safety concerns, legislation and informal bans. Drawing potential predictors from the addiction literature, this study sought to predict usage and specifically, problematic mobile phone use, from extraversion, self esteem, neuroticism, gender and age. To measure problem use a reliable self-report instrument, the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale was devised and validated against the Addiction Potential Scale and overall mobile phone usage levels. Problem use was a function of age, extraversion, and low self esteem but not neuroticism. As extraverts are more likely to take risks, and young drivers feature prominently in automobile accidents, this study supports community concerns about mobile phone use, and identifies groups that should be targeted in any intervention campaigns.