Introduction: This study aims to determine the levels of digital addiction among adolescents living in Kirsehir province and to examine whether these levels differ in terms of various variables.
Materials and Methods: The population of this descriptive, cross-sectional, and exploratory study conducted in multiple centers consisted of secondary school students attending a school in a province located in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Digital Addiction Scale. Data analysis involved the use of the Independent Sample t-test, One-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis, and ethical principles were adhered to throughout the study.
Results: It was determined that 55% of adolescents with an average age of 12.88±0.51 were female. It was concluded that the mean total score on the Digital Addiction Scale for adolescents was 61.82±26.86, the mean total score on the Interpersonal Relationships subscale was 29.63±14.02, and the mean total score on the Introverted Factors subscale was 32.19±13.46. It was determined that “gender, family status, mother’s employment status, family income status, ownership of a game console, academic achievement, and activity status” had an effect on the Digital Addiction Scale for Children and sub-dimension total mean scores and that the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).
Discussion and Conclusion: It was concluded that adolescents’ levels of digital addiction are moderate and are influenced by factors such as “gender, family status, mother’s employment status, family income, ownership of a game console, academic achievement, and participation in activities.” Special support programs should be developed to improve adolescents’ levels of digital addiction.