Validation of the Ud-TIC scale on the problematic use of mobile phones and video games as mediators of social skills and academic performance.

Abstract

In today’s society, ICTs have become essential tools and supports in the daily life of adolescents, being present in all areas of their lives. They can make optimal use of them, but also an irresponsible or problematic use, especially in a stage of high vulnerability such as adolescence. To further examine the study of this social and educational problem, the following objectives are proposed: 1) to validate a dimension of an instrument on the problematic use of mobile phones, video games and the Internet; 2) to validate a dimension of a scale on social skills; 3) to describe the effect of problematic mobile phone use and video games on social skills and 4) to describe the effect of problematic mobile phone use and video games on academic performance. A sample of 195 participants from southern Spain (Murcia) was selected. A quantitative, non-experimental, survey type research design was used. The reliability and construct validity of the instrument were calculated and descriptive statistics were performed. The instrument achieved good reliability (α = .841 ICT dimension); (α = .781 social skills dimension). Regarding the construct validity, a 6-factor model was reached that explains 64.27% of the variance, (KMO = .813; Sig <.005 ICT dimension); (KMO = .554; Sig <.005 social skills dimension), in the same way, ICTs are pointed out as mediators of academic performance and social skills. The study concludes by pointing to the Ud-TIC as a valid and reliable instrument.