The More Digital You Are, The More Your Child is Addicted to Digital Games: A Correlational Study

A major concern in the socio-psychological development of today's students is gaming addiction, which is one of the risks associated with the use of digital technologies. It is the responsibility of parents to help their children deal with this problem as best they can. Students' health and behaviour may be negatively affected by parents' lack of knowledge about digital parenting awareness. This study aims to investigate the relationship between gaming addiction in middle school students and their parents' awareness of digital parenting. 371 students aged 11-14 and their parents participated in the study. A one-way variance test, dependent t-tests and descriptive statistical analysis were used to analyse the data collected using the Digital Parenting Awareness Scale and the Digital Game Addiction Scale. This led to the observation that students' digital game addiction is generally low. Time spent in a digital environment and gender have a significant impact on students' digital game addiction. Parents are moderately aware of their role as negative role models, neglect of digital devices and effective use of these devices. There was a low level of negative correlation between students' digital game addiction and parents' awareness of digital parenting in terms of digital neglect and protection from risks, and a low level of positive correlation in terms of negative modelling and effective use. As a result, suggestions were made about how digital parenting awareness can protect students from the risks associated with digital technology use.