Prevalence of Nomophobia and Its Health Implications among Indian Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Nomophobia, or “no mobile phone phobia,” is an emerging behavioral health issue globally and in India, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This phase of life, marked by academic pressure, digital dependence, and evolving social identity, heightens susceptibility to nomophobia and its associated psychological and academic effects. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching seven international databases and Indian journal websites for studies published between January 2014 and December 2024. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used for quality assessment, and a random-effects model estimated pooled prevalence. Fifty-nine studies involving 22,883 Indian students were included. The pooled prevalence of nomophobia was 72.3% (95% CI: 68.27–76.32%; I² = 99.72%), with higher prevalence among non-medical students (80.94%) compared to medical students (65.98%). Regional analysis showed slightly higher prevalence in South India (73.89%) than North India (69.91%). Nomophobia was significantly associated with anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal discomfort, and poor academic performance. Students also reported emotional distress when separated from phones and displayed compulsive usage patterns. The findings reveal that nomophobia substantially affects the psychological, physical, and academic well-being of Indian students. Targeted interventions, including digital literacy programs, structured mental health education, and evidence-based approaches such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy, are essential to mitigate its impact.