Digital addiction among adolescents is an escalating concern with profound psychological implications, yet validated tools to measure it and studies exploring its relationship remain limited.

To validate the Bangla Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (Bangla DAST) and identify factors of digital addiction among Bangladeshi adolescents.

Using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling method, data from 1496 adolescents in Bangladesh were collected and analysed using non-parametric tests, Spearman correlations and multiple regression models.

The two-factor structure, encompassing attachment to digital devices (Factor 1) and compulsive use in different places (Factor 2) was supported by confirmatory factor analysis (comparative fit index 0.97, Tucker–Lewis index 0.95, root mean square error of approximation 0.06 [90% CI: 0.056–0.07] and standardised root mean square residual 0.048). McDonald’s omega was 0.81 for the total scale, 0.77 for Factor 1 and 0.63 for Factor 2. Convergent validity was supported by significant associations between digital addiction and psychological symptoms. Factors of digital addiction included age (b = 0.517, P = 0.020), academic grade (b = 0.737, P = 0.021), depression (b = 0.334, P < 0.001), anxiety (b = 0.400, P < 0.001) and insomnia (b = 0.504, P < 0.001). In contrast, female gender (b = −1.250, P = 0.001), not sleeping alone (b = −0.846, P = 0.029) and reduced smartphone usage (b = −1.895, P < 0.001) were associated with lower digital addiction scores. The model accounted for 23.1% of the variance in digital addiction.

The Bangla DAST appears to be a psychometrically valid and reliable tool and can be used for further studies assessing digital addiction among Bangladeshi adolescents. The study highlights the need for targeted preventive measures, particularly focusing on at-risk groups.

Hikikomori represents the severe social withdrawal condition of the so-called ‘modern type-depression” (MTD). Digital addictions, including Internet addiction (IA), Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and smartphone addiction, have been associated with MTD and Hikikomori.

This is a post-hoc study aimed at assessing digital addictions in a cohort of university students with a positive screening for MTD and Hikikomori.

A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted by administering the Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-11), Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF) and the Smartphone addiction scale-Short Version (SAS-SV).

Among 1,148 respondents, a significant association was found between the HQ-11 scale and the DASS-21 total score (r=0.434). The HQ-11 positively correlated with IAT, IGDS9-SF and SAS-SV (r=0.329; r=0.292 and r=0.205 respectively).

Digital addictions appear to be widely diffuse among university students positive to the Hikikomori and MTD screening. Further longitudinal studies are needed to weight and balance the potential consequences of digital tools in Hikikomori subjects.

No significant relationships.