Relationship Between Digital Nativity and Internet Addiction Among University Students in Ghana

This research explores the relationship between digital nativity and internet addiction among university students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. The Digital Native Assessment Scale (DNAS) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were administered to 411 undergraduate students from various academic disciplines, with 49.15% (n=202) males and 50.85% (n=209) females. College of Arts and Built Environment (21.90%, n=90), College of Engineering (15.33%, n=63), College of Science (14.35%, n=59), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (22.63%, n=93), College of Health Sciences (15.82%, n=65), and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (9.98%, n=41). Results demonstrated moderate to high levels of digital nativity based on their DNAS scores, with significant positive correlations between DNAS and IAT (r = 0.569, p < 0.001). Suggesting that students with higher scores in digital nativity may be at risk of developing addictive internet behaviours. Interestingly, academic level and college affiliation emerged as factors influencing internet addiction, with students at a higher level and those in the College of Science showing intensified vulnerabilities.