Measuring Digital Amnesia: Psychometric Validation of the Turkish Digital Amnesia Scale with Exploratory Network Analysis

Abstract

The widespread integration of digital technologies has increased reliance on digital systems for storing and retrieving information, a phenomenon referred to as digital amnesia. Digital amnesia reflects technology-mediated cognitive offloading within human-computer interaction. This study aimed to adapt the Digital Amnesia Scale (DAS) into Turkish and examine its psychometric properties among university students. Linguistic equivalence was established with 31 students. The main sample comprised 858 university students (467 females, 391 males). Confirmatory factor analysis supported an adapted 18-item, three-factor structure—digital distraction, digital dependency, and digital detox—following the removal of two items. Internal consistency was satisfactory, and item response theory analyses indicated moderate to very high item discrimination. Full measurement invariance across gender was supported. Criterion-related validity was evidenced by significant positive associations with smartphone addiction and nomophobia. Network analysis provided a descriptive representation of associations among study variables. Overall, findings provide preliminary support for the Turkish DAS.