Published Paper Details:

Interactions with technology have been shaping human society since its beginning. Recently, digitalization has pervaded all aspects of our lives and provided us with new ways to communicate with our social contacts and develop new social ties. We address how these changes shape the social lives of children between the age group 15-20 years today. Several factors may give rise to concerns that adolescent students today are at risk for social isolation, including demographic trends toward families, or reduction of regular activities due to lack of concentration. In today's scenario what are the effects of digitization on adolescent students, is reviewed here. At the same time, these students today have access to new technologies that may enable them to consume of huge information for their knowledge and overcome all barriers. First, based on models of technology adoption, we review research on digital technology used by adolescents. They use technology at very high rates than any other age groups; rates of (social) internet use are increasing. However, socio-demographic disparities exist in access to technology. Second, we focus on two key questions and methodological directions for future research: (a) Does (social) internet use contribute to more positive or negative social experiences? (b) Do digital technologies reshape the social experience or do they reinforce existing preferences and behaviors? Addressing these questions will allow us to understand the effects of technology on adolescent's daily lives and how this in turn affects multiple domains of functioning (e.g., well-being, physical health) in future generations.