Introduction
Adolescent psychology has always been one of the most complex psychology sections. This sophistication is justified by the conflict and ambiguity of the growing period in a person’s life. At the threshold of adulthood, people encounter many contradictions both in themselves and the outside world, and they cannot always predict specific behavior patterns. Nevertheless, at a particular individuality of each person’s development, there are forms and general methods of working with the psychology of growing up. The formation of these techniques and attitudes in modern times is highly dependent on the evolution of society and technology, which are tightly integrated into daily life. Accordingly, technological influence largely determines the behavior or development of modern adolescents.
Social Media and Networks
With the advent of social media and simplified methods of accessing the web, there has been a severe rejection of teenagers from communicating with their parents. Undoubtedly, it is not a universal trait and does not apply to everyone. However, many parents have noticed a decrease in the aloof young people’s desire to connect with them (Twenge, “More Time on Technology“ 372). In a universal assessment, people who use social media and digital media frequently generally have lower levels of psychological well-being than those who pay less attention to the digital space.
Moreover, this fact is most evident in the case of adolescents, most of whom already have many complexes and conflicts, external and internal, during their hormonal changes. In some cases, the obsession with social networks can reach a climax. Restricting the use has significant benefits while creating the risk of exacerbating conflict or worsening the child’s mental state (Twenge, “More Time on Technology“ 372). Shifting activities, worsening procrastination, and even hysterical periodic manifestations are possible in adolescents, both in an excessive obsession with digital life and a withdrawal syndrome.
Depression
Due to the above-mentioned essential connection, one of the most severe problems of adolescent psychology – depression – arises for several reasons. Numerous works and studies draw public attention to the mental health problem of adolescents, which has formed due to the development and implementation of modern technologies of communication and information transfer (Twenge, “Increases in Depression“ 19). An enormous number of suicides and self-harm have allegedly been triggered among the younger generation by an excessive preoccupation with the digital side of life (Twenge, “Increases in Depression“ 21). Among other things, there is an increased dependence on public opinion, an increase in categorical judgments, and a weak sensitivity to offline life.
Dependence on public opinion is explained quite simply in this situation. In the case of communication outside the digital space, the adolescent can process information from interlocutors or others, in turn adapting and providing feedback. In the case of the digital space, for example, a new photo, which can be instantly seen by hundreds of people and leave their feedback if it is not perfect, can lead to depression (Grist et al. 150). Nevertheless, it is just an example of how the situation can unfold. With the acceleration of feedback from social circles and strangers and the increased amount of information being processed, many young people have fallen into the trap of their hormones.
In moments of growing up, realizing oneself and one’s role in society, setting goals, and needing spiritual help from elders, with fierce denial, the most vulnerable part of the population sinks itself into the net as much as possible. In some cases, even one accidental or unintentional negative evaluation of their actions or appearance online can lead to depression (Jensen 1416). The stability of the psyche in teenage society is on the minimum bar, and with few exceptions, teenagers are resistant to any criticism.
Socialization
For many reasons, the development of technology brings with it problems with the socialization of adolescents. The most critical periods in exiting childhood and entering adulthood are hidden behind digital opportunities to put on a mask (Dienlin and Johannes 135). Sometimes, it can get to the point where a teenager is afraid and avoids offline communication, even with the people closest to them. It is fraught with further problems growing up, completing education, building a career, and starting a family.
Equally important is the corresponding partial cause of the global problem of fathers and children. Unfortunately, many parents do not have a complete understanding of the digital side of our existence. As a result, they often respond with aggression instead of understanding, which further contributes to adolescents’ alienation and disturbed psyche. Moreover, methods that imply an abrupt and complete banning of access to the network for teenagers can end up in depression, rebellion, or hostility with the older generation. It is unacceptable to apply pressure and bans instead of careful action because this, even without technology, hurts teenagers.
Conclusion
Based on the brief analysis, technology does have a serious impact on the psychological state, motivation, and personality formation of adolescents. However, we cannot correlate them with evil and blame digital development for all the problems. Development is the hallmark of any intelligent society. Accordingly, when there are obvious drawbacks to a confident teenager’s excessive use of technology, a competent and balanced approach should be taken to address the problem.
Works Cited
Dienlin, Tobias, and Niklas Johannes. “The Impact of Digital Technology Use on Adolescent Well-Being.” Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 22, no. 2, 2020, pp. 135–142.
Grist, Rebecca, et al. “Technology Delivered Interventions for Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, vol. 22, no. 2, 2019, pp. 147–171.
Jensen, Michaeline, et al. “Young Adolescents’ Digital Technology Use and Mental Health Symptoms: Little Evidence of Longitudinal or Daily Linkages.” Clinical Psychological Science, vol. 7, no. 6, 2019, pp. 1416–1433.
Twenge, Jean M. “Increases in Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide among U.S. Adolescents after 2012 and Links to Technology Use: Possible Mechanisms.” Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice, vol. 2, no. 1, 2020, pp. 19–25.
- “More Time on Technology, Less Happiness? Associations between Digital-Media Use and Psychological Well-Being.” Current Directions in Psychological Science, vol. 28, no. 4, 2019, pp. 372–379.