Effects of Kahoot! on K-12 Students’ Mathematics Achievement and Multi-Screen Addiction

Digital platforms are increasingly prevalent among young students in K-12 education, offering significant opportunities but also raising concerns about their effects on self-assessment and academic performance. This study investigates the effectiveness of Kahoot! compared to traditional instructional methods in enhancing mathematics achievement and its impact on multiple screen addiction (MSA) among Greek students aged 9 to 12 during a STEM summer camp. A quasi-experimental design was employed with a purposefully selected sample of one hundred and ten (n = 110) students, who were non-randomly divided into two groups: (a) an experimental group of fifty-five students (n = 55) who engaged with Kahoot! (using dynamic visual aids and interactive content) and (b) a control group of fifty-five students (n = 55) who received traditional instruction (using digital textbooks and PowerPoint slides with multimedia content) on laptops and tablets. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference in MSA scores, with the experimental group exhibiting lower MSA scores compared to their counterparts, indicating a positive impact on reducing screen addiction levels. While Kahoot! led to lower MSA levels, it significantly improved overall mathematical achievement, with a substantial effect size, suggesting a strong positive impact on learning outcomes. The current study highlights the importance of aligning educational tools with the intended outcomes and recommends further research to explore the broader impact of gamified learning on student engagement, screen addiction, and learning outcomes.