The Relationship between Social Media Addiction and Digital Footprint Awareness of Secondary School Students

OpenAlex English

This research aims to examine the social media addiction and digital footprint awareness levels of secondary school students, and the relationship between these two variables. The study consisted of 1095 participants studying in secondary schools. Correlational survey model was used. The Personal Information Form, Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents, and Digital Footprint Awareness Scale were administered to the participants. In addition to descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and correlation analyses were conducted. The mean score for the students' social media addiction level was found to be X̅=2.08. While social media addiction levels do not differ significantly according to gender or the type of device they use most often when using social media, they do show significant differences according to internet access, grade level, and average daily social media usage time. The students' mean digital footprint awareness score was calculated as X̅=3.55. While digital footprint awareness did not differ significantly by gender, grade level, or average daily social media usage time. It did differ significantly by internet access and the type of device they use most often when using social media. Correlation results revealed a negative, weak, and significant relationship between social media addiction and digital footprint awareness.