Problematic social media use, digital gaming addiction and excessive screen time among Turkish adolescents during remote schooling: implications on mental and academic well-being

Authors : Gresa CARKAXHIU BULUT, Sebla GOKCE

Pages : 24-33

Doi:10.5472/marumj.1244628

View : 36 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 2023-01-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The present study aimed to describe screen use patterns among Turkish adolescents during the coronavirus disease 19 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(COVID-19); pandemic with a special emphasis on social media and digital gaming addiction, and explore how these are linked to adolescents’ mental and academic well-being. Materials and Method: The study sample consisted of 9th to 12th grade students from three public high-schools in Istanbul, Turkey insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(n=201);. Participants were required to complete a comprehensive questionnaire which gathered information about various domains including problematic screen use, attitudes towards online education, and mental/academic well-being during the lockdown period. Results: The overall screen time exhibited a significant increase during the lockdown, with the most common discretionary screen activities being social media use, communication, and watching movies/series insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);. The students spent significantly less time on physical activities insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.003); and face-to-face meetings with their friends insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);. Male students presented with higher scores on gaming addiction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);, whereas a significantly higher proportion of the female students insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(28.57% vs. 14.81%); were classified as atrisk for social media addiction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.046);. Both gaming addiction and social media addiction were associated with higher depression scores insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.003 and p<0.001 respectively);. Conclusion: Screen use patterns may have diverse consequences for youth’s well-being during the pandemic. The addiction risk and other detrimental outcomes are likely to be associated with the qualitative features of screen activities, rather than just the amount of time spent on digital media by the adolescents.
Keywords : Screen time, Social media use, Digital gaming addiction, Adolescents, COVID 19, Well being

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