Executive Function Difficulty, Self-Esteem, Happiness, Gender, and Parents' Income as the Predictors of Digital Addiction

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Peers and Family as Context of Development

Abstract

Given the prevalence of computers and smartphones using Internet, digital addiction has become a serious issue as compulsive digital media usage can be harmful to children’s mental and physical health. This study examined factors affecting digital addiction in a nationally representative sample of 1245 Korean 3rd-graders. A multiple logistic regression revealed that executive function difficulty, happiness, gender, parent’s income, and a private room possession are predictive of digital addiction. Specifically, 1) low executive function difficulty and more happiness are positively associated with digital addiction and 2) male students, students with high income parents, or students with private room are likely to have less digital addiction. The relevance of the findings is discussed along with implications for research and practice.

Author

• Youngwon Kim