Can Awareness Programs Reduce Technology Addiction During the Covid-19 Pandemic? A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: The restrictions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause various problems, such as increased technology addiction. We aimed to examine the impact of an awareness program on university students' free time management and their use of technology. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a total of 77 university students of the faculty of nursing, 40 of whom were in the intervention group and 37 in the control group. Data were collected with the Sociodemographic Characteristic Form, Technology Addiction Scale, and Free Time Management Scale. We used chi-square, student t-tests, analysis of variance, and Bonferroni tests in the data evaluation. Results: It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between mean time spent in social networks and instant messaging applications between intervention and control groups. The Technology Addiction Scale pre-test and post-test mean scores of the intervention group showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusions: The participants' level of technology addiction decreased with the awareness program. Giving students awareness education can reduce technology addiction and create more effective free time management. When students are directed to hobbies and can use their free time more effectively, the time they spend on technology decreases.

Keywords

• Covid 19
• Pandemic
• Technology Addiction
• Time Management.

Farkındalık Programları Covid-19 Pandemisinde Teknoloji Bağımlılığını Azaltabilir mi? Yarı Deneysel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Giriş: COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında yaşanan kısıtlamalar, teknoloji bağımlılığının artması gibi çeşitli sorunlara neden olabilir. Bu çalışmada farkındalık programının üniversite öğrencilerinin boş zaman yönetimi ve teknoloji kullanımına etkisini incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Bu yarı deneysel çalışma, hemşirelik fakültesinde öğrenim gören toplam 77 üniversite öğrencisi ile, 40'ı girişim grubunda ve 37'si kontrol grubunda olmak üzere gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, Sosyodemografik Özellikler Formu, Teknoloji Bağımlılığı Ölçeği ve Boş Zaman Yönetimi Ölçeği ile toplanmıştır. Veri değerlendirmesinde ki-kare, bağımsız t-testleri, varyans analizi ve Bonferroni testleri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Girişim ve kontrol grupları arasında sosyal ağlarda ve anlık mesajlaşma uygulamalarında geçirilen ortalama süreler arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark olduğu bulunmuştur. Girişim grubunun Teknoloji Bağımlılığı Ölçeği ön test ve son test ortalama puanları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark göstermiştir. Sonuçlar: Katılımcıların teknoloji bağımlılığı düzeyi farkındalık programı ile azalmıştır. Öğrencilere farkındalık eğitimi vermek, teknoloji bağımlılığını azaltabilir ve daha etkili bir boş zaman yönetimi oluşturabilir. Öğrenciler hobilerine yönlendirildiğinde ve boş zamanlarını daha etkili bir şekilde kullanabildiklerinde, teknolojiye harcadıkları zamanın azaldığı sonucuna varılmıştır.

Keywords

• Covid 19
• Pandemi
• Teknoloji Bağımlılığı
• Zaman Yönetimi

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