The Impact of Psychological and Social Characteristics of Adolescent Girls on the Prevalence of Digital Drug Addiction: A Field Study on Secondary School Female Students

Modern societies are witnessing rapid digital transformations that have profoundly influenced individual behavior, particularly among adolescents, who are considered one of the most active groups in using technology. Within this increasingly interconnected digital environment, a phenomenon known as "digital drugs" has emerged, referring to excessive and compulsive use of digital devices and platforms in ways that negatively impact mental and social health. This phenomenon has been increasingly observed among adolescent girls in Libyan society, raising questions about the psychological and social factors associated with it.

The study aimed to analyze the relationship between the psychological and social characteristics of adolescent girls and their tendency to engage in excessive use of digital media that may reach addictive levels. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical methodology and utilized both quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (individual interviews) tools to collect data from a sample of 120 secondary school female students in the city of Zliten.

The study revealed a set of significant findings, most notably a positive correlation between certain psychological traits—such as anxiety and social isolation—and social factors such as weak parental supervision, and the prevalence of digital addiction. It also identified a complex interaction between psychological, social, and digital pressures experienced by adolescent girls, necessitating a comprehensive educational intervention to protect this vulnerable group from falling into the trap of digital addiction.