Investigation of the relationship between technology addiction and chronotype in primary school children

Introduction: This study aims to examine the relationship between technology addiction and chronotype in primary school children and the impact of this relationship on behavioral disorders. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with the participation of a total of 829 students from primary and secondary schools in the central districts of Adana. Data were collected through questionnaires answered by parents and teachers, and statistical analyses were performed using the Jamovi software. Results: Of the students, 143 (% 17,2) were from the Çukurova district, 276 (% 33,3) from the Seyhan district, 267 (32,2 %) from the Yüreğir district, and 143 (% 17,2) from the Sarıçam district. A total of 759 children (% 91,6) had no chronic illnesses. Among 70 participants (% 8,4), the most common chronic illnesses were asthma and allergic diseases (% 33). Twenty-four participants (% 2,9) had psychiatric disorders, 38 participants (% 4,6) had issues during the neonatal period, and 56 participants (% 6,8) reported maternal alcohol or tobacco use during pregnancy. It was found that 523 children (% 63,1) used smartphones, 159 (% 19,2) used computers, and 424 (% 51,1) used tablets. When the chronotypes of both primary and secondary school children were examined, the most dominant form in both groups was the intermediate type. Children whose mothers used alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy were significantly more likely to have an evening chronotype. The scores of the scales and questionnaires applied to the children were compared based on their chronotypes. According to these results, the scores of the ÇOBÖ, ATBÖ, YİBT-KF, BSMBÖ, ÇUÖ, Conner's parent and teacher scales and Turgay-95 scales were higher in the evening chronotype group. Conclusion: Children with an evening chronotype are more prone to both technology addiction and sleep problems. It was observed that children with an evening chronotype, compared to other chronotypes, used technological devices for longer periods, which negatively affected their sleep patterns. The blue light emitted by digital devices, especially when used in the evening, reduces sleep quality and leads to a disrupted biological rhythm. Significant relationships were found between children's chronotypes and behavioral problems. In particular, sleep issues and behavioral problems were more common among children with an evening chronotype. The study's findings suggest that technology usage habits have a noticeable impact on children's overall behavioral development. Therefore, it is recommended that both families and educators monitor children's technology use and encourage lifestyles that support their biological rhythms.