Research on the psychological effects of young people’s technology use has increased significantly with the advent of the digital era. New technologies are frequently held accountable for encouraging risky (and potentially harmful) youth experiences like cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, violation of privacy, videogame addiction, and exposure to violence. However, for many kids and teenagers, digital media and technology offer beneficial methods to express identity, interact with friends, and take part in community civic activities.
Designing Digital Experiences for Positive Youth Development, based on more than 15 years of study, intends to instruct readers on creating digital products that encourage good conduct among young people. The book investigates how young people use technology today, how these experiences influence different age groups and domains, and how mastering technological literacy can result in confidence, competence, and developmental growth. It highlights the positive impact of new technologies in various domains across the developmental span, from early childhood to late adolescence. After conducting this investigation, the author offers her own theoretical framework (dubbed Positive Technological Development, or PTD) for developing and assessing initiatives to enhance young people’s beneficial technology use. Vignettes that describe, from a developmental standpoint, the varied experiences of today’s youth with current technology are added to each chapter as a supplement. Case examples are then presented to show how PTD has successfully influenced educational program design. This book will be a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, mental health practitioners, and researchers interested in child development, psychology, and learning technologies since it offers a novel viewpoint that connects digital media and youth development models.
