Impact of digital technology use on COMIL-4 Cuenca students showing early signs of a sedentary lifestyle

Abstract

This research is motivated by concerns regarding the impact of excessive use of digital technologies on adolescents’ lifestyles and its link to a sedentary lifestyle; the aim was to analyse the relationship between the use of digital devices and levels of physical inactivity among students at the Abdón Calderón Military School (COMIL-4). A descriptive quantitative approach was employed, and a sample of 101 students from the institution was selected, using a survey administered via Google Forms. The results revealed a predominant use of mobile phones, high frequency of social media use and difficulties in interrupting digital leisure activities, all of which are associated with sedentary behaviours. Consequently, it is concluded that there is a relationship between the intensive use of digital devices and habits of physical inactivity, highlighting the need to promote strategies that balance the use of technology and physical activity within the school environment. Furthermore, it was found that the majority of students frequently devote several hours a day to digital entertainment, reducing the time allocated to exercise and healthy recreational activities both within and outside the educational institution.