Influence of smartphone use on hygiene and social interaction among young diners

Alejandra García Becerra; Nancy María Aguilar Hernández; Julio Cesar Barajas Cortés; Ángel Cuitlahuac Guerrero Pérez; José Abel Chocoteco Campos

doi:10.61117/ipsumtec.v9i1.455

Authors

Alejandra García Becerra National Technological Institute of Mexico
Nancy María Aguilar Hernández National Technological Institute of Mexico
Julio Cesar Barajas Cortés National Technological Institute of Mexico
Ángel Cuitlahuac Guerrero Pérez National Technological Institute of Mexico
José Abel Chocoteco Campos National Technological Institute of Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5925-9688

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61117/ipsumtec.v9i1.455

Keywords:

Addiction, Hygiene, Social interaction, Yough, Mobile phones

Abstract

El uso de teléfonos inteligentes durante las comidas sigue generando preocupación en relación con las prácticas de higiene y la interacción social entre los comensales. Este estudio examinó el comportamiento de 104 jóvenes comensales en un restaurante de comida rápida mediante observación no intrusiva basada en grabaciones de cámaras de seguridad. El uso del teléfono inteligente fue altamente prevalente, representando el 42.68% del tiempo total de permanencia en el restaurante. Durante la comida, el 93% de los comensales utilizó su teléfono, y el 71% no limpió sus manos o dedos después de manipular el dispositivo y antes de comer. Los análisis inferenciales revelaron asociaciones positivas estadísticamente significativas entre la frecuencia de manipulación del teléfono durante las comidas y las fallas de higiene, mientras que el tiempo total de uso del teléfono no se asoció de manera significativa con el nivel de interacción social. Aunque el 16% de los comensales mostró una interacción mínima o nula con sus acompañantes, el 84% mantuvo una comunicación cara a cara moderada o activa. Estos hallazgos sugieren que los riesgos de higiene durante las comidas están más estrechamente relacionados con la frecuencia de manipulación del teléfono que con la duración total de uso. Asimismo, indican que, a pesar del uso frecuente del teléfono inteligente, la interacción social directa sigue estando presente en la mayoría de los jóvenes comensales. Los resultados destacan la importancia de promover un uso responsable del teléfono inteligente durante las comidas, particularmente en lo relativo a las prácticas de higiene.

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Author Biographies

Alejandra García Becerra , National Technological Institute of Mexico

Alejandra holds a Ph.D. in Science from the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC). She currently serves as a full-time faculty member at the National Technological Institute of Mexico, Ciudad Guzmán campus, in the Department of Industrial Engineering. She has 15 years of academic and professional experience. Her work has focused on teaching, student development, and research. In addition, she is a member of the National System of Researchers (SNII).

Nancy María Aguilar Hernández , National Technological Institute of Mexico

Nancy María holds a Master’s degree in Education from Santander University and a degree in Industrial Engineering from TecNM. She is currently a full-time faculty member at the Technological Institute of Ciudad Guzmán, where she has worked for the past ten years. She has over 17 years of professional experience in her field. Her work has focused on teaching, student development, and academic improvement. In addition, she has been recognized as meeting the PRODEP Desirable Profile, valid through 2025.

Julio Cesar Barajas Cortés , National Technological Institute of Mexico

Julio is a ninth-semester student in the Industrial Engineering program at the National Technological Institute of Mexico, Ciudad Guzmán campus.

Ángel Cuitlahuac Guerrero Pérez , National Technological Institute of Mexico

Ángel Cuitláhuac is a ninth-semester student in the Industrial Engineering program at the National Technological Institute of Mexico, Ciudad Guzmán campus.

José Abel Chocoteco Campos , National Technological Institute of Mexico

José Abel holds a Ph.D. in Mechatronics from the University of Castilla-La Mancha. He is currently a full-time professor at the National Technological Institute of Mexico, Ciudad Guzmán campus. He has been recognized as a Professor with a Desirable Profile since 2019 and has been a member of the National System of Researchers since 2017. His academic work focuses on teaching, scientific research, and training students in research from the early stages of their professional education.

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