Examining the Relationship Between Problematic Internet Use and Smartphone Addiction Levels and School Motivation among Middle School Students

This study aims to examine the relationship between students’ problematic situations caused by increased internet and digital technology use and their school motivation. The study was conducted using the relational screening method, one of the general scanning models in quantitative research. A total of 300 students, with 100 from each grade level (6th, 7th, and 8th grades) during the 2022-2023 academic year, participated in the study. Data were collected using the “Participant Demographic Data Form, “Problematic Internet Use Scale”, “Smartphone Addiction Scale”, and “School Motivation Evaluation Scale”. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the social media applications most frequently used by students according to class and gender differences. Inferential statistical methods were applied to determine problematic internet use and smartphone addiction levels based on independent variables such as grade level, gender, social media usage status, and internet usage duration. Male students exhibited higher levels of problematic internet use levels compared to female students. Problematic internet use levels were higher in lower grade levels. Students who used social media had higher levels of problematic internet use. Internet usage durations of 3 hours or more significantly increased problematic internet use behaviors. Smartphone addiction levels increased as grade levels increased. Social media use also contributed to higher smartphone addiction levels. Longer durations of internet use were associated with increased smartphone addiction. A significant negative relationship was found between students' problematic internet use and school motivation. The study identifies critical relationships between digital technology use and school motivation. The results suggest the need for interventions targeting internet and smartphone addiction to improve school motivation among students.