Problematic smartphone use [1] is a highly serious and emerging public health emergency [2] most severely affecting the central nervous system (CNS) of adolescents and young adults with excessive/abusive smartphone use patterns. [3][4]
Method
Artistic illustration of problematic smartphone use (PSU). Credit: Jack Bortone Lab
1. The human noradrenergic system. We found reliable evidences [5][6] of sex-dependent vulnerabilities [7][8][9] in the etiology of problematic smartphone use.
2. The cortico-striatal area of the human brain may be vulnerable to stress-induced noradrenergic modulation.
Problematic smartphone use patterns are positively connected to persistent stress-induced amygdala and dopaminergic impairments with and without peritraumatic history in PSUD
1.chronic neuromodulation of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) may differentially affect the severity of problematic smartphone use patterns and enhance contextual fear conditioning. [10][11]
Experimental dataset
Tonic immobility in a young smartphone user suggesting a primary D2R-like inhibitory mecanism in associated to the etiology of PSU. Tonic immobility in a young smartphone user suggesting a dopamine-dependent inhibitory mecanism associated to the etiology of problematic smartphone use. [12]
Stress induced dopamine dysregulation is mediated by the amygdala in the pathology of problematic smartphone use and depends on persistent mobile device usage patterns and frequency. Stress induced dopamine dysregulation is mediated by the PVT in the pathology of problematic smartphone use and depends on persistent mobile device usage patterns and frequency. [12][11]
PVT-amygdala dysregulation is correlated to grey matter volume (and disconnectivity)
amygdala-striatal axis negatively control prosocial human behavior in response to adversity/stress. [13]
Discussion
Our initial findings confirms the severity of problematic smartphone use [5][3][4].
In addition the discovery of novel stress-mediated vulnerabilities of the developing human brain and noradrenergic system periodically exposed to persistent and recurrent mobile-based brain stimulation (PMBS) in the etiology of problematic smartphone use motivated our initial perspectives and ideas on the self-adaptive and evolutive nature of applied human neurosecurity science.
Limitations and future directions
The emerging research and development of chronic mobile devices is in constant evolution and it may become extremely problematic for consumers
with limited time and scientific knowledge to properly obtain safe consumer choices from wireless internet providers. In particular the mobile/wireless industry is certainly corresponding to the real dark and dangerous web for inexperienced computer users with limited knowledge in science and technology.
Conclusion
Our preliminary audit recommends the development of a systematic and independent review of mobile devices (smartphones) to further understand problematic smartphone use connected to specific neuroplastic changes [3] and possible alterations of neural grey matter in the etiology of violence.
Sex Differences in the relationship of regional Dopamine release to affect and cognitive function in Striatal and Extrastriatal Regions using PET and [18F]Fallypride
The Locus Coeruleus drives disinhibition in the midline thalamus via a dopaminergic mechanism
"Robillard, Etienne. (2025) L’utilisation d’un téléphone intelligent réduit le volume de l’amygdale et de la matière grise de l’utilisateur, des facteurs neurobiologiques favorisant la violence interpersonnelle et l’expression de conduites agressives Applied Human Neurosecurity Journal No 1. Volume 1 (2025)" https://www.open-neurosecurity.org/archives/2025/avis/1333/
Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Locus Coeruleus in Humans: In Comparison with the Ventral Tegmental Area/Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta and the Effects of Age
Potentiation of motor sub-networks for motor control but not working memory: Interaction of dACC and SMA revealed by resting-state directed functional connectivity
Increased Inhibition of the Amygdala by the mPFC may Reflect a Resilience Factor in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Resting-State fMRI Granger Causality Analysis
To cite this study in your own work please use the following citation :
Robillard, Etienne. "Project STREET WISE: A preliminary study exploring the effects of mobile-based networking in teenagers living in Saint-Jerome, Quebec." Applied Human Neurosecurity Journal (2020)
