The prevalence of technological addictions and related factors in university students

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of new addictions in the literature emerging with technology and related factors in university students. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 6,223 participants in three universities. The technological addictions assessed were internet addiction (IA), social media addiction (SMA), and internet gaming disorder (IGD). Independent variables included personal characteristics and the purpose and duration of internet use. Prevalence ratios were calculated and logistic regression test was used in multivariate analyses. Results: The prevalence of IA, SMA, and IGD was 9.5%, 33.9%, and 2.4%, respectively. The risk of SMA was higher in women [odds ratio (OR) =0.85 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.75-0.98], IGD was higher in men (OR =2.00 95% CI =1.33-3.02). Spending more than four hours for per day on social media, playing games, watching movies or TV series, shopping, communicating-chatting on the internet was a risk factor for internet addiction. Using social media more than four hours per day was a risk factor for SMA, and playing games more than four hours per day was a risk factor for IGD. Staying in a dormitory was a risk factor for technological addictions. The risk of technological addictions differed between faculties. Conclusion: There is a need for studies investigating the reasons for the differences in addiction results between faculties and places of residence. Since students' duration and purpose of internet use are risk factors for technological addictions, students can be informed about the rational use of technology.