Adolescent Mental Health and Digital Communication: Perspectives From 11 Countries

The influence of digital communication on adolescent psychosocial development is a growing public health concern. This qualitative multi-country study, initiated by the United Nations Children's Fund, explored adolescents' perceptions of how social media, direct chat or message services, and interactive online gaming impact their mental health and well-being across diverse sociocultural and economic settings.

Seventy-one focus group discussions on mental health were held with adolescents aged 12-19 years in 13 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia from February to June 2021. Discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and inductively analyzed using thematic analysis.

On issues influencing their mental health, digital communication was brought up spontaneously by adolescents in 11 of 13 countries. Ambiguous and sometimes contradictory views of the role of digital communication on mental health and well-being were highlighted, including the harmful role of especially social media in engendering social comparison, promoting gender stereotypes, increasing exposure to bullying and harassment, and leading to time-wasting. However, benefits such as new and stronger social networks and facilitated access to mental health support were also discussed. Our study found similar perspectives independent of country income levels.

Our findings suggest that online interaction is important to adolescents worldwide, and likely increasingly so as digital access expands. This study emphasizes the need for caregivers and schools to engage with adolescents to understand their online experiences and the need for a nuanced approach to digital literacy and policy development to promote positive and minimize harmful interactions.