The Relationship Between Digital Game Addiction and the Bullying Tendencies of Secondary School Students from a District in Southern Turkey

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between secondary school students' digital game addiction and bullying tendencies. Methods: This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample of the research consists of 381 secondary school students studying in a district in Southern Turkey. Information Form, Children's Digital Game Addiction Scale and Bullying Tendency Scale were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics, Kruskall Wallis test, Mann-Whitney-U test and Spearman Correlation analysis were used. Results: The average age of the secondary school students participating in the study was 12.53±1.13. Children's Digital Game Addiction Scale mean score was 18.77±6.53 (min.9; max. 42); The mean total score of the Bullying Tendency Scale is 79.70±10.92 (min.26; max. 83). It has been determined that there is a positive and weak correlation between the total scores obtained from the Children's Digital Game Addiction Scale and the Bullying Tendency Scale. Conclusions: As a result of this study, it was seen that the bullying tendencies of the students with high digital game addiction were high. In order to minimize the negative effects of digital games, it is recommended that children are kept away from violent games as much as possible. It is recommended that students and parents, regardless of their educational background, be given training on digital game addiction and bullying.