Can Mobile Device Addiction Cause Brain Fog in University Students?

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between mobile device addiction and brain fog (mental clouding) among university students and to determine the predictive role of mobile device usage levels on brain fog.A relational survey model was employed in the study. The population consisted of undergraduate students enrolled at Erzurum Technical University during the 2024–2025 academic year. A total of 421 students were selected through simple random sampling and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Mobile Addiction Scale developed by Fidan (25), and the Brain Fog Scale developed by Atik and Manav (26). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, and descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analyses were conducted.Analysis results indicated that the level of mobile addiction significantly predicted the level of brain fog (β = 0.486; p < .001). In particular, the subdimensions of mobile addiction—salience, conflict, and relapse—were found to have significant effects on brain fog (R² = 0.258). Female students reported higher levels of both mobile addiction and brain fog compared to male students. Moreover, students who primarily used their mobile devices for watching videos, movies, or listening to music showed higher levels of brain fog than those who used them mainly for communication purposes. Increased daily mobile device usage was associated with elevated levels of both mobile addiction and brain fog.The study revealed a significant and positive relationship between mobile device addiction and brain fog among university students. This relationship can be explained particularly by heightened digital salience, internal conflicts, and repetitive usage behaviors. The findings highlight the importance of digital awareness programs, self-regulation strategies, and digital detox interventions for university students.