The Mediating Role of Informatics Ethics in 21st Century Skills and Smartphone Addiction Among Young Adults
Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of attitudes towards information ethics in the relationship between 21st-century skills and smartphone addiction in young adults. This study utilized a correlational research design, a quantitative research method. The sample consisted of 763 young adults studying in various high schools and different educational levels. The "Smartphone Addiction Scale," the "Attitudes Towards Information Ethics Values Scale," and the "Multidimensional 21st-Century Skills Scale" were used to collect data. Path analysis was used to examine the mediating role of attitudes towards information ethics values in the relationship between 21st-century skills and smartphone addiction in young adults. Path analysis is used to examine the relational nature of the current situation. The empirical findings showed that attitudes towards information ethics valuessignificantly mediate the relationship between 21st-century skills and smartphone addiction in young adults. These findings suggest that educational interventions focusing on information ethics values in young adults should be expanded to encompass different areas, including smartphone addiction and the development of 21st-century skills, and that research in this area should be increased. Furthermore, further research is needed to examine participants with diverse demographic profiles, investigate the dynamics of alternative variables according to different sample sizes, and present their findings.
Keywords
21st century skills, Smartphone addiction, Ethical behavior attitudes, Structural Equation Model
Ethical Statement
Research was approved by Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee with the date 24.07.2024, 12th session and number E-33490967-044-453915.
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