Determining digital game addiction levels in high school students

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing digital game addiction among high school students in terms of various demographic variables and usage habits. The uncontrolled proliferation of modern technologies and the substantial amount of time youth spend on digital games pose significant risks to their physical, psychological, and social development processes. The population of the research consists of 866 high school students attending public schools in Trabzon during the 2024-2025 academic year, with a sample size of 235 students. Data were collected using the Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS), developed by Irmak and Erdoğan (2015) and consisting of seven items, along with a Personal Information Form prepared by the researcher. The findings of the study indicate that the gender variable plays a decisive role in addiction levels, with male students exhibiting significantly higher addiction scores compared to female students. Statistical analyses were conducted using the IBM SPSS 25.0 software package, utilizing t-tests and ANOVA. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the necessity of managing digital game consumption consciously among youth and highlights that early-age education can minimize the risk of addiction. The results of the analysis are expected to provide guidance for counseling and psychological guidance activities to be carried out in schools.