Digital Social Technology and Social Connection in Youth.
Objective: Digital social technologies, such as social media and online multiplayer video games (MVGs), have ushered in an era of peer relationships that evolve online, in addition to in person. This report reviews existing research about the dual role of social media and MVGs in shaping youth socia...
| Published in: | Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes Vol. 89; no. 2; pp. 206 - 216 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article |
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Taylor & Francis Ltd
Summer2026
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=193623603&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ssf uiTerm: 193623603 longDbName: Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson) uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: jinfo: jid: 00332747 PST jtl: Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes issn: 00332747 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Summer2026 vid: 89 iid: 2 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd artinfo: ui: 193623603 10.1080/00332747.2025.2580176 ppf: 206 ppct: 10 formats: tig: atl: Digital Social Technology and Social Connection in Youth. aug: au: Sumberg, Luke L. Ogle, Christin M. Fisher, Joscelyn E. Cozza, Stephen J. su: Italy United States United Kingdom Prevention of mental depression Social media Internet addiction Empathy Interprofessional relations Internet Evaluation of medical care Aggression (Psychology) Social networks Psychological stress Interpersonal relations Cognitive therapy Social support Video games Friendship Behavior therapy Adolescence Digital technology Human multitasking Disease prevalence Psychosocial functioning sug: subj: Prevention of mental depression Social media Internet addiction Empathy Interprofessional relations Internet Evaluation of medical care Aggression (Psychology) Social networks Psychological stress Interpersonal relations Cognitive therapy Social support Video games Friendship Behavior therapy Adolescence Italy United States United Kingdom Wired Telecommunications Carriers Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals Other Individual and Family Services Video game publishers Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing Home entertainment equipment merchant wholesalers Video game design and development services Digital technology Human multitasking Disease prevalence Psychosocial functioning ab: Objective: Digital social technologies, such as social media and online multiplayer video games (MVGs), have ushered in an era of peer relationships that evolve online, in addition to in person. This report reviews existing research about the dual role of social media and MVGs in shaping youth social connectedness, recognizing both their potential benefits and their associated risks on youth mental health. By providing evidence-based insights, it aims to inform strategies that optimize these technologies' advantages while safeguarding youth mental health and well-being. Method: This report reviews peer-reviewed literature, clinical recommendations, reports, and surveys that assess youth usage of social media and MVGs and their associated psychological and physical health outcomes. Results: Social media provides many opportunities for peer connection, including self-expression and social support, fostering positive social development and well-being. MVGs combine entertainment with collaboration, further strengthening social bonds. However, the use of these technologies has also been linked to negative outcomes, including social isolation, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Publically-available, evidence-based resources can provide caregivers and professionals with guidance and clinical recommendations regarding youth social media and MVG use. Conclusions: Digital social technologies have become increasingly user-specific and immersive as the internet evolves and social media algorithms become more powerful. Additional research is required to understand how current youth usage of these technologies impacts physical and psychological outcomes. Future research should also investigate the differences in usage, outcomes, and the efficacy of treatments across youth sex and age. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: Article src: R language: English refInfo: copyright: @attributes: flag: N holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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