Tech Trends in the Global South: A Mixed Bag for Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on the lives of children in the Global South. One area of concern is the effect of digital technology use on their mental health. Researchers set out to investigate the relationship between social connections, internet usage, and wellbeing during the pandemic in 12 countries.

The study used data from the UNICEF Innocenti Disrupting Harm survey, which included a representative sample of 11,912 internet-using children aged 12-17. The researchers modelled the associations of social connection during lockdown and internet use during the pandemic with six different indicators of wellbeing in each country and in the overall sample.

The results were complex and showed that the relationship between technology use and mental health depends on individual context. This means that the impact of social connections and internet use on wellbeing varies depending on factors like gender, urbanicity, and country. The study highlights the need for further research to understand how technology use affects mental health among young people in the Global South.

The findings suggest that technology use can be both a risk and a protective factor for mental health. More research is needed to identify ways in which technology use can be harnessed to support the mental wellbeing of young people in the region.