The Impact of Information & Communication Technology on Youth

Digital forms of communication may impact youth in both positive and negative ways.

Information and communication technology, or ICT, encompasses a broad range of media used for educational and entertainment purposes including television, computers and cell phones. ICT may impact youth in a myriad of ways, both positive and negative.

Social Interactions

According to an in-depth evaluation of the impact of ICT on youth published in the 2003 World Youth Report prepared by the United Nations, ICT has changed the way young people interact socially, as digital communication has increasingly replaced traditional forms of interaction. ICT offers youth autonomy from families with access to vast virtual social networks that provide more instantly-gratifying, but less personal interactions.

Psychological Health

Some research, including a Swedish study published in a 2007 issue of the journal Computers in Human Behavior, highlights the potential negative impacts of ICT on youth. This study concluded that a high quantity of ICT use is a risk factor for developing psychological symptoms among young adults. In particular, high computer and mobile phone use were associated with symptoms of stress, depression and sleep disturbances in young men and women.

Education and Empowerment

ICT also offers opportunities for youth empowerment and education, particularly in societies where resources are limited. A 2009 paper on the impact of ICT in Aboriginal Australia concluded that youths in remote regions can use ICT to maintain cultures, gain knowledge, develop skills and generate income. According to the 2005 World Youth Report section on youth in civil society, "ICT is increasingly being used to improve access to education and employment opportunities, which supports efforts to eradicate poverty."

References

• United Nations World Youth Report, 2003: Youth and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
• Computers in Human Behavior: Prevalence of Perceived Stress, Symptoms of Depression and Sleep Disturbances in Relation to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Use Among Young Adults
• GeoJournal: Youth Empowerment and Information and Communication Technologies: A Case Study of a Remote Australian Aboriginal Community
• United Nations World Youth Report, 2005: Youth in Civil Society