The Impact of Internet Use on Digital Behavior and Mental Health of Adolescents: Empirical Evidence from Global Data
Keywords:
Internet use, Digital behavior, Adolescent mental health, Qualitative content analysis, Global dataAbstract
The development of the internet and digital technology has significantly changed the behavioral patterns and psychosocial lives of adolescents worldwide. While the internet offers numerous positive opportunities for accessing information, learning, and social interaction, the increasing intensity of internet use has also raised concerns regarding its impact on adolescent mental health. This study aims to analyze the impact of internet use on adolescent digital behavior and mental health based on empirical evidence from global data, with particular attention paid to comparisons between Indonesia and global trends. This study used a qualitative approach with content analysis methods on global secondary data sourced from Our World in Data and the Global Burden of Disease for the period 2010–2021. The analysis was conducted through thematic coding and narrative interpretation of internet usage trends and mental health indicators, particularly anxiety and depression disorders, as context for changes in adolescent digital behavior. The results indicate a temporal relationship between increasing internet penetration and the increasing burden and prevalence of mental health disorders. The impact of internet use on adolescent mental health is contextual and multidimensional, influenced by social and cultural factors, digital literacy, and mental health support systems. Indonesia exhibits patterns consistent with global trends, albeit with different characteristics and prevalence rates. This study contributes to the growing literature by presenting a qualitative approach based on global data that broadens understanding of the dynamics of adolescent mental health in the digital age. Limitations of the study lie in the use of aggregate data and the lack of direct causal analysis. Future research is recommended to use individual-based longitudinal data and combine qualitative and quantitative approaches to deepen the analysis of the relationship between internet use and adolescent mental health.
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