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Journals / Sosyal Politika Çalışmaları Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 26 Sayı: 72

Digital Obesity and Childhood: A Qualitative Study on Psychosomatic Effects and the Need for Policies to Reduce Digital Load

Dijital Obezite ve Çocukluk: Psikosomatik Etkiler ve Dijital Yükü Azaltmaya Yönelik Politika İhtiyacı Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma

Ayşen Yalman
Pages
609–646
Publication Date
2026-09-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

It highlights the importance of increasing digital media literacy among parents, educators, and healthcare professionals and developing strategies for healthier media consumption among children.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines digital obesity, a growing phenomenon among children, by analyzing its effects on physical, mental, and social well-being.
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Key Findings & Data:In children aged 9 to 15, increased screen time is linked to disrupted sleep, poor nutrition, attention deficits, social isolation, and decreased academic performance.
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Conclusion & Impact:It highlights the importance of increasing digital media literacy among parents, educators, and healthcare professionals and developing strategies for healthier media consumption among children.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Dijital obezite · dijital bağımlılık · dijital medya

Abstract

This study examines digital obesity, a growing phenomenon among children, by analyzing its effects on physical, mental, and social well-being. Digital obesity, defined as dependency on digital devices due to excessive use, leads to various health issues. In children aged 9 to 15, increased screen time is linked to disrupted sleep, poor nutrition, attention deficits, social isolation, and decreased academic performance. Using the World Health Organization's criteria for digital addiction, this qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 children selected through random sampling. The data were analyzed thematically with NVivo software. Findings show that children’s relationships with digital devices often become dependent, negatively impacting physical health, emotional balance, social relationships, and academic performance. However, those who maintained balanced media use exhibited healthier habits. The study concludes that digital obesity is a complex health issue shaped by structural, sociocultural, and technological factors. It highlights the importance of increasing digital media literacy among parents, educators, and healthcare professionals and developing strategies for healthier media consumption among children.

Özet

Bu çalışma, dijitalleşmenin çocuklar üzerindeki etkilerini inceleyerek, son yıllarda artış gösteren dijital obezite olgusunu çok boyutlu biçimde analiz etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Dijital obezite, bireylerin dijital cihazlara aşırı maruz kalmaları sonucu oluşan fiziksel, zihinsel ve sosyal sağlık sorunlarını kapsayan yeni bir teknolojik bağımlılık biçimi olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Özellikle 9–15 yaş arası çocuklarda ekran süresinin artışı, uyku ve beslenme düzensizlikleri, dikkat eksikliği, sosyal izolasyon ve akademik başarıda düşüş gibi birçok olumsuz duruma neden olmaktadır. Bu kapsamda araştırmada, Dünya Sağlık Örgütü’nün belirlediği dijital bağımlılık kriterleri temel alınarak yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yoluyla nitel veri toplanmıştır. Tesadüfi örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen 15 çocukla yapılan görüşmeler, NVivo yazılımı kullanılarak tematik analiz yoluyla değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, çocukların dijital cihazlarla kurdukları ilişkinin büyük ölçüde bağımlılık düzeyine ulaştığını ve bu durumun fiziksel sağlık, psikolojik denge, sosyal ilişkiler ve akademik performans üzerinde belirgin etkiler yarattığını ortaya koymuştur. Aynı zamanda, dijital medya kullanımında denge kurabilen çocukların daha sağlıklı dijital alışkanlıklar geliştirdiği gözlemlenmiştir. Araştırma, dijital obezitenin yalnızca bireysel bir sorun olmadığını, aynı zamanda yapısal, sosyokültürel ve teknolojik faktörlerle beslenen bütüncül bir sağlık meselesi olduğunu göstermektedir. Elde edilen veriler doğrultusunda, ailelerin, eğitimcilerin ve sağlık profesyonellerinin dijital medya okuryazarlığı konusunda farkındalıklarının artırılması ve çocuklar için sağlıklı dijital kullanım stratejilerinin geliştirilmesi gerektiği sonucuna varılmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Yalman, A. (2026). Digital Obesity and Childhood: A Qualitative Study on Psychosomatic Effects and the Need for Policies to Reduce Digital Load. Sosyal Politika Çalışmaları Dergisi, Cilt: 26 Sayı: 72, 609–646. https://doi.org/10.21560/spcd.vi.1689792

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