The Effect Of Technology Addiction Prevention Program On University Students At Risk For Technology Addiction

Overview

Due to the increasing use of technological devices among adolescents, technology addiction is a serious public health problem that requires intervention. In order to cope with this problem, it is necessary to develop programs that have proven effects and are suitable for our culture and the psychosocial development of the age group in question. In the project planned to be carried out in two stages, university students at risk of technology addiction will be identified and the effect of the developed technology addiction prevention program will be evaluated. In these days when national combat studies on behavioral addictions are initiated in our country, the results of the research will contribute to the development of national action plans in the fight against technology addiction. The purpose of this doctoral thesis is to evaluate the effect of the technology addiction prevention program for university students at risk of technology addiction.

Although it is generally used for leisure purposes, the increase in technological device and internet use affects all age groups and has positive and negative effects on public health. These effects lead to various behavioral problems, especially in adolescents. As a result of the unconscious, excessive, uncontrolled and pathological use of technological devices, behavioral mental health problems such as "technology addiction" emerge. When some studies revealing the prevalence of game addiction among adolescents in European countries are examined, it is seen that it varies between 2.2% and 30.4%. In studies in Türkiye, according to the results of the research conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) with children aged 6-15 in 2021, internet usage rates in children were 82.7% and regular internet usage rates increased. It was found that internet usage and gaming rates were higher in boys than in girls. It is seen that the purpose of internet use is first for homework or learning purposes with 84.8% and second for playing games with 79.5%. 31.3% of children who use the internet regularly used social media. According to TUİK 2013 data, the rate of children who own at least one information technology product has increased. Many physical and psychological changes are observed during adolescence. Individuals' lifestyles and healthy life behaviors are shaped during this period. It is accepted that the use of technological tools and equipment, internet use and moderate gaming as part of a healthy lifestyle can have many positive effects such as emotional relaxation, strong peer support and social bonding. Behavioral problems arise as a result of excessive and uncontrolled use of technological tools. The main health problems that arise due to problematic technological tool and equipment use behavior include inadequate physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, vision or hearing problems, musculoskeletal system problems, sleep disorders, psychological problems such as depression, venous health problems such as thromboembolism and decreased academic success. Model-based approaches are needed to prevent health problems that arise in individuals as a result of problematic health behaviors and to create and develop positive healthy behaviors. Therefore, in this study, an educational program will be created using Cox's Health Behavior Interaction Model (SDEM) as a conceptual framework to evaluate the variables that affect university students' problematic technology use behaviors, the relationships between these variables, and to gain positive health behaviors. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a technology addiction prevention program for university students at risk of technology addiction.