Testing the effect of a cognitive behavioral play therapy based psychoeducation program on reducing screen addiction in children

This study aimed to examine the effect of the Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (CBT)-based psychoeducation program developed by the researcher on the level of screen addiction in children. The study used a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test post-test control group. Data were collected before and after the application and comparisons were made between the groups. Parametric and non-parametric tests were preferred according to the normality of the scales. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used as the normality test. The study group of the study consists of 4th grade students studying at a primary school in Sungurlu district of Çorum province in the 2024-2025 academic year. As a result of the preliminary evaluation, 12 students with the highest screen addiction scores were determined, and these students were randomly assigned to groups, 6 in the experimental group and 6 in the control group. The data were measured with the Problematic Media Use Scale (PMKÖ) filled out by the parents and the Digital Addiction Scale for Children (CDAS) filled out by the children. The experimental group students were given an 8-week BDOT-based psychoeducation program. The parents in the experimental group were given a 3-session psychoeducation program. No intervention was made to the control group and their parents. The changes were evaluated by applying the PMCS and BDTS to both groups before and after the program. In the experimental group, significant decreases were found in both the PMCS and BDTS scores. No significant change was observed in the control group. Significant improvements were seen in the "interpersonal relations" factor of the sub-dimensions of the BDTS. However, no significant change was found in the "introversion" sub-dimension. Cohen's d coefficients showing the effect size were found to be very high, indicating that the implemented program had a strong effect. The research results revealed that the BDOT-based psychoeducation program was effective in reducing screen addiction in children. The findings are consistent with the existing literature and are supported by similar studies. In this context, it is recommended that the program be used as an effective tool to make children's digital media use healthier. It also makes significant contributions to raising parents' awareness on this issue and to providing children with alternative behaviors. It is recommended that future studies be conducted with different age groups, different durations and session contents.