Investigation of Digital Addiction and Netlessphobia Levels of Midwifery Students by Variables

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the netlessphobia, digital addiction levels of midwife candidates and the affecting factors. The sample of the research in the descriptive and correlational design consisted of 272 students who were studying in the midwifery department of a public university and volunteered to participate in the research (Participation rate: 83%). Data were collected with the "Personal Information Form", "Digital Addiction Scale (DDS)", and "Fırat Netlessphobia Scale (FNS)". Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis Test were used to evaluate the data. It was determined that the mean age of the students participating in the study was 20.55±1.69. While the daily time spent by the students on the phone was determined as 3.92±1.5 hours, the duration of using social media was found to be 2.71±1.5 hours. It was determined that 57% of the participants spent time with their phones before going to sleep, and 21% had 5 or more social media accounts. It was determined that the most used social media account was the photo sharing application (90.4%). Students' Digital Addiction Scale total scores were 53.77±15.74 and Fırat Netlessphobia Scale total scores were 31.43±10.69. It was determined that different variables such as spending time with a smart phone before going to sleep and in the morning, dealing with the phone in class, checking social media while spending time with family and friends, consuming fast food and packaged food significantly differed the mean scores of DBI and FNI. A positive and significant relationship was found between DBI and FNR. It was determined that the levels of digital addiction and netlessphobia of midwifery students were moderate. It was determined that as digital addiction increased, the fear of being without internet increased.