Peer-reviewed article
Everyday Digital Technology Use and Youth Health: Scoping Review of Longitudinal Studies.
Banerjee P, Holly L ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This scoping review systematically mapped 267 longitudinal studies published between 2014 and 2024 examining how everyday digital technology use—including social media, gaming, and internet use—affects the health and well-being of youth aged 25 and under. The review found that most research focuses on mental health outcomes like anxiety and depression, with studies concentrated in high-income countries like the United States and Australia. The authors identified significant gaps in evidence about physical health, educational outcomes, and the experiences of young people in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in understanding both the benefits and risks of digital engagement.
Key points
- 267 longitudinal studies were identified, with internet use (201 studies), social media (140 studies), and gaming (83 studies) being the most studied technology categories
- Mental health, particularly anxiety and depression, was the most frequently assessed outcome across studies
- Only 15% of studies (40/267) originated from low- and middle-income countries, with the majority from high-income settings such as the United States (76 studies) and Australia (15 studies)
- Nearly half of the studies (131/267, 49%) were published after 2020, reflecting heightened research interest during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Key evidence gaps exist regarding physical health outcomes, educational impacts, and equity-focused research across diverse populations and contexts
Limitations
As a scoping review of existing literature rather than a primary research study, this document cannot demonstrate causal relationships between digital technology use and health outcomes. The review's findings are limited by the methodological quality and geographic bias of the studies it synthesizes, particularly the underrepresentation of evidence from low- and middle-income countries.
Abstract
Background Everyday digital technologies such as social media, gaming, and internet use are deeply integrated into the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults. While these platforms can foster connection, learning, and entertainment, concerns have grown about their potential to influence mental, physical, and social well-being. Research on this topic has expanded rapidly over the past decade, yet much of it remains cross-sectional, limiting insights into long-term outcomes. Longitudinal studies are essential to capture evolving patterns of digital engagement, identify causal relationships, and guide effective policies and interventions that support youth in navigating digital environments. In particular, evidence is needed to distinguish between beneficial and harmful forms of digital engagement, such as social connection versus problematic use, and to understand how these impacts differ across diverse populations and contexts. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated young people's technology use, underscoring the urgency of examining both risks and opportunities. This review, therefore, synthesizes longitudinal research to map trends, identify knowledge gaps, and inform future directions. Objective The study aimed to systematically identify and map longitudinal studies examining associations between everyday digital technology use (eg, social media, gaming, and internet use) and the health and well-being of youth (25 years or younger) and to chart the types of evidence available by technology category, outcomes, and geographical setting in order to highlight key gaps for future research. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and PsycArticles (2014-2024) was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews). Data extraction covered demographics, digital technology categories, and health outcomes. Studies were grouped into 6 key themes: social media use and mental health, digital addiction and behavioral outcomes, physical activity and digital technology, digital health technologies and cognitive development, parental influence and digital technology, and digital well-being and risk behaviors. Results Of the 456 studies identified, 267 were longitudinal studies relevant to our research aims. Internet use (n=201 studies), social media (n=140 studies), and gaming (n=83 studies) dominated the themes. Mental health was the most frequently assessed outcome, with a focus on anxiety and depression. Geographically, 15% (40/267) of studies originated from low- and middle-income countries, with the majority from high-income settings such as the United States (n=76 studies) and Australia (n=15 studies). Nearly half (131/267, 49%) were published post 2020, reflecting heightened interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Longitudinal evidence on everyday digital technology use and youth health is growing but remains concentrated in mental health outcomes and high-income settings, with notable gaps in physical health, educational outcomes, and equity-focused research. These findings highlight the need for more diverse, methodologically robust longitudinal studies to inform context-sensitive policies and interventions that balance the risks and benefits of digital engagement for young people.