Research Article

ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS

Volume: 27 Number: 4 October 1, 2026
Hakan Kilinc *, Nailakhanim Rustamova
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Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education Cover Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education

ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS

Abstract

In an increasingly digitalized world, technological devices and access to the internet have become an integral part of daily life. It is important to conduct scientific research on how digital competence affects internet use and online behavior patterns, especially among young people. In this context, the aim of the current study is to determine whether technological literacy skills in young people serve as a protective or triggering factor against problematic internet use. The sample of this study consists of 216 learners who have participated in distance education processes. However, 122 participants data were used for Technology Literacy scale validation, while the main analyses were conducted on from 94 participants. The data collection tools used in the study are General Information Survey, 21st Century Technology Literacy Skills Scale and Youth Internet Addiction Test - Short Form. The research data were tested using frequency analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis and linear regression analysis methods. As a result, a statistically significant and negative correlation was found between the sub-dimensions of internet addiction and technological literacy skills in educated young individuals. In addition, the linear regression analysis results showed that the sub-dimensions of technological literacy skills, “understanding technology” and “responsibility and caution”, explained 17.6% (p<0.01) of the variance in internet addiction.

Keywords

Technology literacy, internet addiction, digitalisation threats, learning environments, e-learning, distance education

Thanks

Dear Editor, We are pleased to submit our manuscript entitled “Analyzing the Relationship Between Technology Literacy Skills and Internet Addiction in the Context of E-Learning and Distance Education Among Higher Education Learners” for consideration for publication in your esteemed journal. This study examines the relationship between technology literacy skills and the risk of internet addiction among higher education learners, with particular attention to the growing relevance of these variables in digitally mediated learning environments. As online and distance learning practices continue to expand, understanding how technology-related competencies interact with patterns of internet use has become increasingly important for both educational research and practice. We believe that the findings of this study contribute to the literature by offering empirical insights into the interplay between digital competence and problematic internet use within contemporary higher education contexts. The manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. All authors have approved the final version of the manuscript and agree with its submission to your journal. There are no conflicts of interest to declare. We believe that our study aligns well with the scope and academic focus of your journal and will be of interest to its readership. Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your response. Sincerely,

References

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  4. Dore, L., Geraghty, A., & O’Riordan, G. (2015). Towardsa national digital skills framework for Irish highereducation: Review and comparison of existing frame-works and models. University of Limerick. Retrieved from https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/wp-content/uploads/NF-2016-Towards-a-National-Digital-Skills-Framework-for-Irish-Higher-Education.pdf
  5. Dunleavy, M., & Dede, C. (2013). Augmented reality teaching and learning. Handbook of research on educational communications and technology, (pp. 735–745). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978- 1-4614-3185-5_59

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cross-Cultural Scale Adaptation

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Publication Date

October 1, 2026

Submission Date

February 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 27 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.1895984

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA48LT73AC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
APA
Kilinc, H., & Rustamova, N. (2026). ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 27(4), 293-307. https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.1895984
AMA
1.Kilinc H, Rustamova N. ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS. TOJDE. 2026;27(4):293-307. doi:10.17718/tojde.1895984
Chicago
Kilinc, Hakan, and Nailakhanim Rustamova. 2026. “ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS”. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education 27 (4): 293-307. https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.1895984.
EndNote
Kilinc H, Rustamova N (October 1, 2026) ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education 27 4 293–307.
IEEE
[1]H. Kilinc and N. Rustamova, “ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS”, TOJDE, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 293–307, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.17718/tojde.1895984.
ISNAD
Kilinc, Hakan - Rustamova, Nailakhanim. “ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS”. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education 27/4 (October 1, 2026): 293-307. https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.1895984.
JAMA
1.Kilinc H, Rustamova N. ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS. TOJDE. 2026;27:293–307.
MLA
Kilinc, Hakan, and Nailakhanim Rustamova. “ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS”. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, vol. 27, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 293-07, doi:10.17718/tojde.1895984.
Vancouver
1.Hakan Kilinc, Nailakhanim Rustamova. ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY LITERACY SKILLS AND INTERNET ADDICTION IN THE CONTEXT OF E-LEARNING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION LEARNERS. TOJDE. 2026 Oct. 1;27(4):293-307. doi:10.17718/tojde.1895984