Analyzing the Digital Addiction of University Students through Diverse Variables: Example of Vocational School

Abstract

Today, when information technologies are evolving rapidly, digital platforms such as computers, the internet, social media and smartphones have become essential parts of our lives. These digital platforms are intensely used by people with a variety of ages. Students mostly use digital platforms to communicate, navigate on social media and playing online and offline games. The digital platforms, which are used for those diverse aims, influence our lives and especially create addiction for students. In this context, the students of vocational schools may be negatively influenced by the intense usage of digital platforms. This study in this regard aims to examine the digital addiction levels of vocational school students and the degree of this addiction based on their genders, departments, school years and levels of income. A survey method was used in this study. 318 foundation degree students from different departments at Sakarya University and Sakarya University of Applied Sciences participated in this study. In order to collect data, a demographics form and the “Digital Addiction Scale”, developed by Kesici and Tunc (2018), were used. The results of the study suggest that the participants have a medium-level addiction. While the students have a mid-level addiction at overuse, non-restraint, emotion situation and sticking sub-dimensions, they have a low-level addiction at inhibiting the flow of life. The digital addiction of vocational school students does not differ according to their school years, genders and income levels of their families but differ by their departments. It is advised that for today's students to use digital courses in an accurate and effective way, new educational methods should be used, and students, parents, teachers and administrators need to be trained to learn the negative psychological and physical effects caused by digital addictions such as the internet, smartphones, computers and social media addictions.