Context, Development, and Digital Media: Implications for Very Young Adolescents in LMICs

Abstract

The rapidly expanding universe of information, media, and learning experiences available through digital technology is creating unique opportunities and vulnerabilities for children and adolescents. These issues are particularly salient during the developmental window at the transition from childhood into adolescence. This period of early adolescence is a time of formative social and emotional learning experiences that can shape identity development in both healthy and unhealthy ways. Increasingly, many of these foundational learning experiences are occurring in on-line digital environments. These expanding vulnerabilities and opportunities are being further amplified for young adolescents growing up in low resourced settings around the world. Cultural and contextual factors influence access, use, and appropriation of digital technology. Further, neurobehavioral changes associated with the onset of puberty often coincide with entry into social media and more autonomous use of technology. In low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), disparities in access, use, and appropriation of digital media can amplify prevailing economic gaps, and compound gender inequalities during early adolescence. In LMICs, adolescents are often the early adopters of mobile technology and social media platforms. While the impact of social media on the well-being, particularly mental health, of young adolescents has been a focus of research in high-income countries (HICs), much less is known about the impacts of social media use on young adolescents in LMICs. In this paper, we review what is known about the interaction between digital media and early adolescent development. We highlight crucial gaps in the evidence in LMICs; and describe some hypotheses and areas for future research to address these compelling issues.

Positive and Negative Online Experiences and Loneliness in Peruvian Adolescents During the COVID‐19 Lockdown

“…Social media is a very popular activity among Peruvian adolescents, and Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram are the dominating platforms (Statista, 2019 ). Digital divides in use and appropriation, which intersect with gender norms and barriers, continue to influence online experiences for youth in low‐ and middle‐income countries (Magis‐Weinberg, Suleiman, & Dahl, 2021 ). Furthermore, there is emerging evidence from work with young adults in collectivistic cultures for tighter and closer social media networks than in individualistic settings (Na, Kosinski, & Stillwell, 2015 ).…”

Positive and Negative Online Experiences and Loneliness in Peruvian Adolescents During The COVID-19 Lockdown

“…Social media is a very popular activity among Peruvian adolescents, and Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram are the dominating platforms (Statista, 2019). Digital divides in use and appropriation, which intersect with gender norms and barriers, continue to influence online experiences for youth in low-and middle-income countries (Magis-Weinberg, Suleiman & Dahl, 2021). Furthermore, there is emerging evidence from work with young adults in collectivistic cultures for tighter and closer social media networks than in individualistic settings (Na et al, 2015).…”

Adolescentes na Era Digital: Impactos na Saúde Mental

“…Como achados nas pesquisas analisadas, identificou-se que os jovens geralmente se adaptam rapidamente às novas tecnologias, potencializando os riscos de impactos à saúde, bem-estar e no desenvolvimento social e econômico. Em todo o mundo, as redes sociais se tornaram um dos principais modos de uso da mídia digital, especialmente para os adolescentes (Weinberg, Ballonoff, & Dahl, 2021). Do ponto de vista do desenvolvimento humano, é importante reconhecer que as experiências diárias nas quais o aprendizado e o desenvolvimento do cérebro ocorrem acontecem cada vez mais no contexto das plataformas digitais (Giovanelli, Ozer, & Dahl, 2020).…”