Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dana DC Chesney

Abstract

Prior research demonstrates how time and energy dedicated to screens is negatively correlated with physical activity time (Alotaibi et al., 2020; Scaranni et al., 2023; Barot et al., 2023; Parasuraman et al., 2017). Therefore, in this research study, we aimed to investigate if time dedicated to screens is still replacing participation in physical activities or if technology has become so integrated in our lives over time that it no longer affects our physical activity time. We tested this via an online survey of 62 students (38 females, 24 males) at St. John’s University. Participants completed an internet addiction questionnaire (M=46.66, SD=12.89) and reported physical activity time over the prior 4 weeks (M=37.45, SD= 35.38). To our surprise, we did not find that internet addiction scores were related to physical activity, (r(60) = 0.01, S = 39199, p>.05). Also, no correlation was found between smartphone screen time and physical activity time (r(60) = 0.03, S = 38318, p >.05). Nor was smartphone screen time found to be related to internet addiction (r(60) = 0.21, S = 38318, p >.05). More research is needed to determine if there is a relationship between different kinds of physical activity and technology overuse, and to control for time dedicated to non-leisure activities. Nevertheless, these results suggest that a lack of physical activity cannot be solely attributed to screens.

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