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Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the duration of technological device usage and the physical activity levels of secondary school students in Akyazı, a rural area in north-west Türkiye. Given the increasing integration of digital devices into daily life, understanding their impact on children’s health and activity levels is crucial.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,000 secondary school students. The Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess physical activity levels, and a structured survey was administered to collect data on technological device usage and health-related symptoms. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26.0 software, and associations between variables were determined with Spearman’s correlation analysis.
Results: The most commonly used technological device was the mobile phone, with 44.2% of students using it for 1-2 hours per day. A significant relationship was found between mobile phone use and neck pain (r=0.094, P=.002), and between computer use and back pain (r=0.112, P=.002). Increased mobile phone usage was associated with a decrease in physical activity levels (r=0.043, P=.008). Excessive screen time was also linked to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and psychological effects such as stress.
Conclusion: Excessive use of technological devices negatively affects secondary school students’ physical activity levels and overall health. Encouraging balanced screen time and promoting physical activity are essential to mitigate these adverse effects. Further research and public health interventions are needed to address this growing concern.
Cite this article as: Yıldız A, Demiryürek SN, Çelikten İ, İnal P, Türk A, Taz B. The effect of technological device usage time on the physical activity level of secondary school children: A rural example. Arch Health Sci Res. 2025; 12, 0034, doi: 10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2025.25034.