An International Message on Digital Addiction

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) brought together young people from seven countries on its campus as part of an exemplary awareness initiative addressing digital addiction, one of the major challenges of our time. Visiting students who came to Izmir under the Erasmus project titled “Digital Addiction and Sedentary Behaviour Awareness” received face-to-face training for one week and took part in nature-based therapy activities, gaining insight into the effects of digital addiction, excessive screen use and sedentary lifestyles on mental and physical health.

The international awareness program was implemented as part of a project developed by IUE Sports Specialist Özgün Özdemir. Following a series of online academic sessions, the participants attended face-to-face courses, workshops, group activities and physical exercise sessions in Izmir. Asst. Prof. Dr. Şermin Tükel from the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at IUE Faculty of Health Sciences stated that the program aimed not only to support learning but also to encourage intercultural interaction by bringing together students from different countries. She added that the young participants would become voluntary advocates in the fight against digital addiction in their own countries.

MORE THAN 3 HOURS A DAY SPENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Tükel stated that the three-week online training phase of the project, supported by IUE Dean of Students’ Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports and the International Relations Office, had been successfully completed. Referring to the Turkish Green Crescent Society’s 2026 report, she noted that people spend significant amounts of time on social media to stay connected with their social circles. “More than 70 percent of the population in Türkiye spends over three hours a day on social media. People often turn to these platforms to cope with loneliness, boredom or temporary negative emotions. This can lead to a wide range of psychiatric, cognitive and physiological health problems,” said Tükel.

THE RISK IS INCREASING

Warning that prolonged screen time directly threatens physical health, Tükel continued: “In the past, smoking was considered one of the greatest threats to health. Today, prolonged sitting and sedentary lifestyles have become major risk factors. The expression ‘Sitting is the new smoking’ is now widely used in medical literature. A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Children and adolescents are among those most negatively affected by this process. Parents need to become more aware, digital limits should be introduced for screen time, and physical activity must become part of everyday life.”

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING THROUGH FOREST THERAPY

Tükel explained that innovative approaches such as forest therapy were also incorporated into the field activities of the project, noting that the positive effects of spending time in nature on both mental and physical health have been scientifically demonstrated. She stated that spending time in green spaces can positively influence the body’s chemical balance and emphasized the need to make nature-based therapies more widely available.

CREATING GLOBAL AWARENESS

Commenting on the inter-institutional dimension of the project, Hülya İncekara, Director of the IUE International Relations Office, highlighted the strategic importance of digital awareness and healthy living. İncekara stated that the program, carried out in cooperation with the Sports Coordination Unit of IUE Dean of Students’ Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports, aimed to strengthen relations with partner universities across Europe while also raising awareness on a global scale.

EMPHASIS ON AWARENESS

Pumeza Sabısa, 26, who joined the program from Constructor University in Germany, said she was excited to experience firsthand the effects of social media and artificial intelligence on everyday life. Industrial Engineering student Şeyma Duygun, 26, drew attention to the sedentary lifestyle that can accompany the opportunities offered by the digital world. “Since I continue my education online, I do not necessarily need to leave home, but spending the entire day in front of a screen has a negative impact on our health. Thanks to this project, we gained greater awareness in many areas, from sports to psychology,” said Duygun.