Research Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare smartphone inaccessibility fears (nomophobia) among elementary school students in Shiraz. Four fear dimensions were examined: fear of losing connection with others, fear of losing bonds with others, fear of losing information, and fear of losing comfort and convenience.
Statistical Population and Sampling Method: The population included all upper elementary students (grades 3–6) in Shiraz during the 2024–2025 academic year. Stratified random sampling by gender was employed, comprising 115 male students (63%) and 67 female students (37%).
Research Tool: Nomophobia was assessed using the Yildirim and Correia Scale (2015), a 23-item Likert-scale questionnaire with four subscales. Content validity and reliability were confirmed via correlation coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha (total α = 0.86).
Data Analysis: Data were analyzed using one-sample t-tests, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), repeated-measures ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc tests.
Findings: Results indicated that: Among male students, fear of losing bonds and information was above the benchmark mean, while fear of losing connection/comfort was at the benchmark, among female students, fear of losing connection, bonds, and comfort was above the benchmark, whereas fear of losing information was at the benchmark, female students scored significantly higher than males in all four fear dimensions, fear of losing connection was identified as the predominant fear in both genders.