Despite its unambiguous advantages, cellular phone use has been associated with harmful or potentially
disturbing behaviors. Problematic use of the mobile phone is considered as an inability to regulate one’s use of the mobile
phone, which eventually involves negative consequences in daily life (e.g., financial problems). The current article
describes what can be considered dysfunctional use of the mobile phone and emphasizes its multifactorial nature.
Validated assessment instruments to measure problematic use of the mobile phone are described. The available literature
on risk factors for dysfunctional mobile phone use is then reviewed, and a pathways model that integrates the existing
literature is proposed. Finally, the assumption is made that dysfunctional use of the mobile phone is part of a spectrum of
cyber addictions that encompasses a variety of dysfunctional behaviors and implies involvement in specific online
activities (e.g., video games, gambling, social networks, sex-related websites).