A Research-Informed Guide to Healthier Digital Lives

Digital Adolescence: Internet Addiction, Parenting and Mental Health examines how digital behaviour, family relationships and psychological well-being interact during one of the most important developmental stages of life.

The book moves beyond the simple question of how many hours an adolescent spends online. Instead, it examines why young people use digital technology, whether they are able to control their use, what activities may be displaced by excessive engagement, how parenting practices influence digital behaviour, and how these factors relate to mental health.

Healthy digital participation is presented as a matter of purpose, balance, self-regulation, safety, adequate sleep, learning, meaningful relationships and the ability to disengage. Problematic internet use becomes a concern when online behaviour becomes difficult to control or repeatedly interferes with education, family life, social participation, physical health or emotional well-being.

Evidence Base and Academic Focus

The empirical foundation of the book comes from a study of 1,000 XI standard students from ten schools in Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. The investigation examined internet addiction, perceived parenting style and mental health together with selected personal, educational, family and socio-economic characteristics.

The analysis draws on descriptive statistics, group comparisons, regression analysis, discriminant analysis and structural equation modelling. The research findings are interpreted cautiously, with particular attention to the distinction between statistical association, prediction and causation.

Complete Book Details

Who Should Read This Book?

• Parents and caregivers seeking practical approaches to digital boundaries while preserving trust and communication.
• Teachers and teacher educators interested in digital well-being, adolescent behaviour and supportive classroom practices.
• School leaders and administrators developing institutional approaches to responsible technology use and student support.
• Counsellors and psychologists examining the relationship between online behaviour, family experience and mental health.
• Researchers and postgraduate students working in education, psychology, adolescent development, parenting and technology use.
• Students and youth advocates seeking evidence-based ways of understanding digital habits without stigma or simplistic labels.
• Policy-makers and community organisations concerned with digital literacy, mental-health promotion and adolescent well-being.

Chapter-Wise Contents

The book progresses from the broader context of adolescent digital life to empirical analysis and finally to practical strategies for building healthier digital environments.

Building Digital Well-Being

The final part of the book emphasises that healthier digital behaviour requires coordinated action rather than prohibition alone. It places particular importance on informed routines, communication, early identification of difficulties and responsible adult modelling.

• Purposeful and balanced technology use
• Digital literacy and responsible internet behaviour
• Realistic screen-time boundaries and family media plans
• Supportive parenting and age-appropriate autonomy
• Healthy sleep and daily routines
• Physical activity and meaningful offline engagement
• Counselling and early intervention where required
• Stronger family-school partnerships
• Digitally healthy school environments
• Shared responsibility for adolescent well-being

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying or recording, without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used for reviews, research and scholarly reference.

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