Youth strengths were associated with fewer risky online behaviors
A review connected positive youth development with fewer risky internet and social-media behaviors. The observational findings do not establish that the framework caused protection.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Positive youth development was associated with fewer risky internet and social-media behaviors, including gaming disorders and cyberbullying. Emotional self-regulation and family environment also featured in the findings. Because the studies were observational and mostly conducted in China, the review does not establish causal protection or confirm that the relationships generalize across cultures.
The abstract reports no pooled effect sizes, and most studies came from China. It also identifies an evidence gap concerning artificial intelligence use, so its internet and social-media findings should not be extended to that topic.
The framework emphasized strengths and skills
Positive youth development centers on young people's strengths and skills. The review examined relationships with digital behaviors, including gaming disorders, sexting and cyberbullying. These are distinct behaviors rather than a single measure of psychological wellbeing.
Personal and family characteristics also featured
The review identified emotional self-regulation and family environment as relevant to the reported behaviors. These observational relationships do not show that changing either characteristic would prevent harmful online behavior or explain how the associations developed.
The original publication
The association between the use of digital technologies and positive youth development: a systematic review.
Martin-Barrado AD, Gomez-Baya D
Front Psychol · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40688549
- Record checked
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