Effect of technology addiction on academic success and fatigue among Turkish university students

Abstract

Background: Technology addiction can cause certain physical, mental, and social health problems. Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effect of technology addiction levels on academic success and fatigue in university students in Turkey. Methods: 743 students continuing their undergraduate education at a single university participated in this descriptive correlational study. Data was collected using a Student Identification Form, The Problematic Mobile Phone Use Scale, the Internet Addiction Scale, and the Piper Fatigue Scale. Results: 9.8% of the students exhibited internet addiction risk, while internet addiction was detected in 0.7%. Compared to students showing no addiction symptoms, students who scored in the internet addicts' category were found to have lower academic success averages and higher fatigue levels. It was found that smart phone addiction of students alone explained 5.8% of the total variance in fatigue levels while the internet addiction of students alone explained 6.8% of the total variance in fatigue levels. Conclusion: Although internet addiction was relatively low in this study, academic success was negatively affected in students categorized as internet addicted and fatigue increased alongside technology addiction, suggesting that internet addiction may be a predictor of fatigue. Educational initiatives could help to raise awareness on the negative relationship between technology addiction and academic success and its effects on physical and psychological health.