In graduate school, Anne Maheux was interested in broadly studying the social and cultural experiences of children and adolescents. It wasn’t until late in her graduate studies that she realized she had become a person who studies the digital world.

It was a lightbulb moment for Maheux, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences and Winston Family Distinguished Fellow at the Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development.

She recognized that the sociocultural and digital worlds are blended for kids today, and there is no way for researchers to fully understand the social world of adolescents without considering technology, including artificial intelligence.

## The Rapid Adoption of Digital Media

Modern digital media have been adopted at a speed that far outpaces the research into their effects.

Maheux and her team are launching a new longitudinal study to better understand the complex ways in which digital risks impact different kids over time. “The adoption pace for generative AI has been shockingly fast, faster than that of social media, personal computers, or the internet itself,” she stated. Pilot data shows that 20% of 10- to 12-year-olds and 42% of 13- to 14-year-olds are using generative AI.

This data likely underestimates actual usage, as it only accounts for personal mobile devices and overlooks shared computers. The implications are profound; as young users engage with AI, researchers must scramble to catch up with the technology’s effects.

## Mental Health Concerns and Digital Media

Youth mental health concerns are on the rise, greatly influenced by digital media usage.

Various studies highlight the association between digital media use and issues like body image concerns, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety among adolescents. “We know that kids have different levels of vulnerabilities. I believe adolescents aged 10 to 14 are particularly at risk,” Maheux notes.

Kids in this age group are often unsupervised online and can access a wide array of content, yet they typically lack the coping mechanisms required to process what they encounter. This combination makes the digital landscape a precarious environment for this age group.

## The Role of Motivation in Digital Engagement

The different motivations that an adolescent has for using digital tools significantly influence their outcomes.

For instance, “we suspect that young people who feel lonely at school and turn to an AI chatbot for friendship or romance may experience poorer mental health outcomes compared to those who use the technology for educational purposes,” Maheux explains.

This distinction is vital; the intention behind using AI tools can dictate whether the experience is beneficial or harmful. Understanding these motivations is essential for tailoring approaches to digital engagement and mental health for adolescents.

## Guidance for Parents

What can parents do to help their children navigate the digital landscape?

Maheux emphasizes that parents don’t need to wait for perfect research to start discussing technology use with their children. “Before handing over a device, it’s helpful to discuss specifically what will be done on it,” she advises.

In order to provide effective support, parents should engage with their children about their online experiences. This open dialogue is crucial; children should feel safe bringing up any challenging online experiences with trusted adults.

## Practical Tips for Addressing Technology Use

Maheux offers basic advice for parents navigating technology with their children.

• Discuss specific activities your child will engage in on their device.
• Ask open-ended questions about what they see online.
• Encourage communication around challenging experiences.

These steps can create a supportive environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online interactions. The importance of maintaining an ongoing dialogue about technology cannot be overstated, particularly in today’s fast-paced digital world.