INVESTIGATION OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ EXPOSURE TO PHUBBING BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Technological behavioral disorders have become prevalent issues nowadays. Uncontrolled and excessive time spent on the internet, along with the addictive use of mobile phones, brings along problems in social relationships, feelings of deprivation, and situations such as mobile device or technology addiction. The situation of being unable to live without a phone and consciously ignoring people around oneself has begun to be defined as 'Phubbing'. The main aim of this study is to examine high school students' instances of displaying Phubbing behavior concerning various demographic variables such as school type, gender, grade level, family relationships, and friendships. It is believed that this study will create an awareness of Phubbing behavior and contribute to the literature by providing insights into situations negatively affecting interpersonal communication, thereby enabling necessary precautions to be taken. The aim of this study is to examine Phubbing behavior among high school students concerning various demographic variables (school type, gender, grade level, family relationships, friendship relationships, duration of internet usage). The study was conducted based on a quantitative research method using a survey design. The 'General Phubbing Scale’ was employed as the data collection instrument. A total of 353 students from both private and public high schools in a province in the Central Anatolia region participated in the research during the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition to descriptive statistics for the analysis of quantitative data obtained from the scale, tests examining differences between means, such as independent sample t-Test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), were utilized. Upon examination of the findings from the study, no significant difference was found concerning Phubbing behavior based on gender. However, significant differences were observed in demonstrating Phubbing behavior among students based on school type, phone usage durations, and family and friendship relationships. The research concludes with some recommendations.