Positive and negative associations between adolescent mental health and technology

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the developmental, social, and clinical psychology literature on how adolescents are positively and negatively impacted by using social technologies such as mobile phones, social media sites, and interactive video gaming. Beneficial aspects include a sense of social connectivity and sense of belonging, personal contentment and self-esteem, emotional expression/control, and identity development. Maladaptive aspects include alienation and social anxiety, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, triggering of emotions such as depression, and exposure to sexual content. Mental health clinicians and practitioners can gain greater awareness of the strengths and drawbacks of social technologies when faced with adolescent clients who exhibit symptoms that may need intervention.