This study investigates the psychological and social factors influencing smartphone addiction among students at Vietnam Maritime University. The findings indicate that loneliness, low self-esteem, and a lack of adaptation skills to the specialized academic environment are primary drivers of technological dependency. Furthermore, family background and life satisfaction serve as significant indirect variables through stress management mechanisms and career orientation. Within the context of rigorous maritime discipline, smartphones function as tools to fill psychological gaps but also pose a risk of diminishing real-life social interactions. Consequently, the research proposes synchronized solutions for psychological counseling and family-school partnerships to foster a healthy digital lifestyle for VMU students.