Editorial: Control alt delete – technology and children's mental health

Abstract

With international contributions from Denmark, Peru, Italy, Turkey, Estonia, Russia, Canada, the USA, Australia and the UK, this special issue offers insights and evidence about the technology's ability to act as a force of good and a source of harm for young people's mental health. As we better understand the complex and bidirectional relationship between technology and mental health, we need to move beyond dichotomous narratives about it being good or bad; it is both, depending on how it is used. Collective responsibility across technology companies, researchers, public services and community organisations, parents and the young people themselves can make a difference in the way technology is used to protect and improve mental health.

Debate: Response to “Should academics collaborate with digital companies to improve young people's mental health”

“…As Thabrew and Gega (2023) point out in their recent Editorial, the relationship between technology and mental health is complex and bidirectional and as such requires a nuanced understanding of the conditions that lead to beneficial or harmful interactions. Considerable attention has been dedicated to the use of technologies by young people, but another key condition is the extent to which the technology design follows the principles of learning sciences.…”