Smartphone Dependence and Online and Offline Delinquency in Early Adolescence : The Protective Roles of Teacher and Peer Relationships

This study examined factors associated with online and offline delinquent experiences among early adolescents in the context of widespread smartphone use. Smartphone dependence was conceptualized as an individual-level risk factor, while teacher and peer relationships were considered school-based protective factors. Data were drawn from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018 (KCYPS 2018), including 2,407 middle school students. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine delinquent experiences while controlling for gender, subjective academic achievement, aggression, depression, and negative parenting attitudes. The results indicated that smartphone dependence was positively associated with both online and offline delinquency, with a stronger effect on online delinquency. Teacher relationships reduced the likelihood of offline delinquency, whereas peer relationships showed a positive association with online delinquency. Aggression emerged as the strongest predictor across both models. These findings suggest that delinquent experiences in early adolescence are shaped by the interaction of individual characteristics, school-based relationships, and behavioral contexts, highlighting the need for preventive approaches that consider both smartphone use environments and relational resources within schools.