The impact of extracurricular sports activities on reducing smartphone addiction among fourth-grade preparatory students

Abstract

The practice of sports activities chosen by students allows them to develop their experiences and leads to the satisfaction of their behavioral balance, on the one hand. On the other hand, the satisfaction of behavior may be through the use of smartphones, which have become widely available in recent years. This is accompanied by negative effects, especially with regard to physical and psychological health and the associated physical and psychosocial weakness. People who suffer from smartphone addiction are unable to control their use of smartphones. Excessive use of smartphones is considered an increasing public health problem. Hence, the study aimed to (identify the level of smartphone addiction among fourth-year middle school students - prepare extracurricular sports activities for fourth-year middle school students - identify the effect of extracurricular sports activities in reducing smartphone addiction among fourth-year middle school students). The researchers used the experimental method to suit the achievement of the research objectives. The research sample consisted of (90) students, and the research sample consisted of (90) students, and they were divided into three groups, two experimental and one control, each of which included (30 students) for their cooperation in a way that serves the research. The researchers adopted the smartphone addiction scale prepared by (Al-Ajmi, 2020). The scale consists of (33) paragraphs, noting that the answer alternatives are according to a binary scale (applies to me - does not apply to me) with a correction key (1,2). The research tools were distributed to the students and they were asked to write the data in the designated places. After taking the data and processing it statistically, a sample was taken of those who had a high level of smartphone addiction in order to apply extracurricular sports activities on them. The sample was divided into three groups, each group included (30 students). The first experimental group was applied to internal sports activities, the second group was applied to external sports activities, and the third group is a control group. The study concluded (there is a high level according to the smartphone addiction scale for fourth-year middle school students - internal extracurricular activities have an effective impact in reducing smartphone addiction - external extracurricular activities have an effective impact in reducing smartphone addiction). The researchers recommend that (the researchers seek the relevant authorities and a role in Defining the curriculum vocabulary for university levels. Reconsider including case studies in university curricula. The extent of the negative impact of excessive smartphone use. Conducting extensive studies on other samples to support reducing smartphone addiction among students. Conducting other studies to determine the relationship between smartphone addiction and other variables.