Mobile Technology Addiction Effect on Risky Behaviours: the Moderating Role of Use-Regulation

The ability to use mobile technologies anywhere and anytime has driven an important dark side known in this article as Mobile Technology Addiction (MTA). Here, we extend insights on this phenomenon by building on S–O-R theory and focusing on stimuli (flow and telepresence), organisms (mobile technology addiction), and responses (risky behaviours). This study conceptualised the moderating role of use-regulation between MTA and risky behaviours. Based on a study in the unique context of a developing country, this study adopted a stratified random sampling technique. The questionnaire was deployed through online and offline survey methods to select 528 participants from a developing country in which most internet interactions are done via mobile devices. It was found that MTA drives risky behaviours, but IS use-regulation minimises this effect. The findings provide important implications for theory and practice.