Effect of Digital Dependency on Academic Procrastination and Students Engagement

Abstract

Technology has transformed the routines of students and the way that learning is experienced. While technology and learning have always been connected, keeping technologies for learning in students’ possession all the time can create digital dependency which can change the way students act and learn.  The focus of this study is the measurement of digital dependency and assessment of the relationship of digital dependency with academic procrastination and academic engagement of university students. Based on Self-Regulation theory, a cross sectional study with a correlational research design was conducted. In this study, digital dependency, academic procrastination, and academic engagement scales were administered to students of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan. The digital dependency, academic procrastination, and academic engagement scaled scores were analyzed with descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. This study found the relationship of digital dependency and academic procrastination and academic engagement. Participants of this study showed that a high level of digital dependency was related to a high level of procrastination. This study found the relationship of digital dependency with a positive level of academic engagement. This may mean that even high levels of digital dependency, students can gain academic benefits with learning technologies. Also, digital dependency was found to affect academic engagement. This study showed that high levels of digital dependency may lead to academic procrastination and academic engagement paradoxically. Self-regulated, balanced use of technology by students is another aspect of technology integration that this study addresses. Such use serves as an important first step in the development of new research examining the dichotomy between technology used for academic vs recreational purposes and the long-term effects of digital dependence in the academic realm.