Research Summary

Traversing the multifaceted domain of digital design and its influence on adolescent mental health, this thesis examines the ethical challenges of designing digital interfaces and the psychological effects of digital media on young users.

Research Quick Reads

Introduction

For many teenagers, phones have become central to their existence. For some, they have taken priority over real-life interactions.

Implications

This relationship between tech design and its influence on adolescent cerebral development dictates cross-disciplinary research.

Conclusion

Careful analyses have offered a broad assessment of how specific design choices can lead to an increase in adolescent addictive behavior.

Summary of Literature Review

Read Thesis

INTRODUCTION

In an age of digital revolution, with its remarkable innovations, an unparalleled level of connectivity has unfolded. However, as with any significant technological leap, it presents transformative breakthroughs and new challenges. The rising concern of smartphone addiction is prominent among these, particularly among adolescents. Such addictions are not simply a result of heightened use of technology but of conditions mimicking the symptoms of conventional addictions, including withdrawal and dependency (Wang).

One critical aspect of smartphone addiction centers on the biochemical: the influence of dopamine. As adolescents navigate significant physical and neurological changes, the effects of dopamine, traditionally associated with pleasure and reward, are especially evident in adolescents (Griffiths 67; Silverman), and the design and function of many modern-day digital apps often inadvertently, or sometimes purposely, exploit these biological responses.

Scholarly papers have correlated the overuse of smartphones with mental health irregularities, including feelings of depression, anxiety, and reduced self-worth (Boers and Ikeda). The research addresses how behavioral tendencies and influences, such as sensation-seeking, a lack of mindfulness, and the undeniable sway of peer pressure, exacerbate adolescents’ difficulties associated with technology (Macït, Wang, and Yang). The literature review draws attention to six research areas:

Smartphone addiction and mental health
Influences: Mindfulness, sensation seeking, and peer pressure
Social media and cyberbullying
The role of dopamine
Mediation and coping mechanisms
Responsible tech design
Social perspective

SMARTPHONE ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH

In today’s digital age, the use of smartphones has become universal. However, their convenience does not protect them from scrutiny concerning their impact on mental well-being, especially within the adolescent demographic. Recent studies have examined smartphone addiction and its possible implications for young people’s mental health.

Pengcheng Wang, PhD et al. define smartphone addiction as “a phenomenon characterized by withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, dependence, and social problems” (Wang). More specifically, activities such as online chatting, gaming, and watching videos have been identified as primary adolescent addiction drivers (Lee).

Adding another dimension to the narrative, Wahyu Rahardjo, PhD, alleges that specific social platforms have been noted to specifically affect those with existing mental disorders, further increasing their vulnerability to addiction (Rahardjo). These findings are supported by research by neuroscientist Monica Cristina Poujol, PhD, who links screen exposure to poor adolescent attention performance (Poujol).

The ubiquity of smartphones among adolescents compounds the associated problems. A significant segment of teens become “addicted to social media in the same way that other individuals become addicted to activities such as drinking alcohol or gambling” (Griffiths 66). Clinical psychologists Maya Sahu, PhD, et al. assert that "Mobile phone addiction is one of the greatest non-drug addictions of the current century"(Sahu).

Beyond the disturbing numbers, the main concern revolves around the consequences of this addiction, particularly on mental health. Social media and online gaming use mechanisms that reward continuous engagement, such as the “‘like” feature, which when engaged releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter tied to pleasure. This reinforces repeating the behavior and makes breaking away challenging for adolescents.

INFLUENCES: MINDFULNESS, SENSATION SEEKING, AND PEER PRESSURE

The present-day deliberation on the consequences of smartphone addiction among adolescents calls for a deeper investigation that does not solely attach itself to the negatives but also examines the complicated interaction of factors affecting addiction. Mindfulness, sensation-seeking behaviors, and peer pressure surface as prevailing narratives determining how adolescents interact with their devices.

Mindfulness is characterized by focused attention on the present moment. It is valued as a cognitive mechanism that may function as a buffer against the enticing allure of smartphones. Xiujuan Yang, PhD et al. note that adolescents who cultivate mindfulness seldom struggle with “ruminative regret or worry related to mobile phone addiction” (Yang).

In contrast to mindfulness is sensation-seeking, a trait characterized by a hunger for new, extreme, and different experiences, often at the risk of personal well-being. Adolescents, drawn in by the ping of a new message or the thrill of achieving the next game level, find themselves trapped in a seemingly unbreakable cycle of immediate gratification.

Additionally, peer dynamics among adolescents are a powerful determiner of attitudes and behavior. Adolescents often find their smartphone habits shaped not just by personal preferences but by their social networks. For those who sense an intensified peer validation for unrestricted smartphone usage, the slide into addiction becomes all the more probable.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND CYBERBULLYING

Social media sites, originally intended to strengthen connections, have also enabled cyberbullying, particularly among adolescents. At the heart of this problem is that today’s youth network and socialize predominantly on these platforms.

"Social media companies use many psychological 'hooks' that drive habitual usage (Griffiths 66).

Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying is omnipresent. The persistent accessibility granted by smartphones means victims are continually susceptible to cyberbullying. Jean M. Twenge, PhD, suggests that as digital media use becomes ubiquitous, more adolescents become vulnerable to cyberbullying (Twenge). The tools designed to foster connections and share stories have inadvertently become domains for malicious interactions.

THE ROLE OF DOPAMINE

Understanding smartphone addiction demands a deeper dive into its relationship with the brain’s neurotransmitters, with dopamine standing out as a central player. Usually linked to pleasure and reward, the role of dopamine extends further, influencing human behavior, reward processing, and emotion regulation. Every notification or social media “like” can activate a dopamine release, leading to habitual behavior that could turn into addiction. An increase in dopamine activity during adolescence heightened sensitivity to reward systems. Specifically, these midbrain dopamine projections, which extend to the limbic, striatal, and frontal regions, boost incentive motivation (Silverman).

Multiple reports have highlighted the dopamine rush from social media interactions, establishing a link between this increase in depression and addictive trends (Khan). Smartphone applications, skillfully designed with reward-based systems, feed directly into the brain’s reward region, causing dopamine releases. This interaction can also create a feedback loop, making individuals increasingly dependent on digital confirmation to sustain their dopamine levels. This could, over time, produce a reliance on these digital validations, laying the underpinning for addiction (Dillman Carpentier).

MEDIATION AND COPING MECHANISMS

The pressing concerns surrounding smartphone addiction, especially among adolescents, compel intervention and exploration into coping strategies. Acknowledging the substantial societal repercussions, it becomes essential to probe into the nuances of approaches such as digital detoxification and parental guidance.

In recent years, the concept of digital detoxification has gained significant consideration. Meenakshi Handa, PhD et al. describe digital detox as “a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world” (Handa). Even brief detoxes have been associated with diminished anxiety, better-quality sleep, and better overall well-being.

Parents can also play a critical role in the health of the digital lives of their adolescent children. Rahardjo notes that "Teenagers with healthy relationships with their family and peers are more resistant to the attraction of mobile phones and social media sites" (Rahardjo).

While specific mediations are essential, their usefulness depends on a broader agenda of awareness and education. Schools, community centers, and digital platforms assume some responsibility for informing adolescents about the benefits and dangers of smartphone use. Karin R. Jongsma, PhD et al. highlight the importance of tech companies embracing a value-sensitive approach to design, always keeping the adolescents’ well-being in mind (Jongsma).

RESPONSIBLE TECH DESIGN

Responsible tech design principles have become essential for the health and welfare of adolescents, and graphic designers and technology firms have a special responsibility. Concerns about adolescent smartphone addiction have pushed the tech industry to rethink its priorities. The danger is that "Innovative and artistically praiseworthy designs sometimes border on manipulative, quietly guiding users toward sustained screen times" (Poujol).

The principal objective should be adopting design principles for user well-being rather than exploiting adolescent susceptibilities.

A shift in design priorities can transform entire app environments. This education and insights from academic research can lead the way for more responsible tech designs (Badillo-Urquiola and Yang). Unfortunately, tech giants have created a design architecture that sometimes imitates the mesmerizing allure of casinos (Griffiths).

SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE

Smartphones and social media platforms have restructured human activities, interactions, and perspectives. While accelerating communication and improving experiences, these digital trappings also present societal challenges, especially with vulnerable adolescents (Skogen).

Predominant in this conversation is the thin line between optimal use of technology and dependency on it, especially in adolescents. Initially seen as devices for convenience or amusement, smartphones quickly became indispensable. The power of such platforms requires judgment learned over time—a skill that does not come naturally to the adolescent mind.

Schools, parents, and tech companies assume some of the collective responsibility. Parents can talk transparently with their children about their online experiences, and tech companies can prioritize ethical design, valuing user well-being (Jongsma).

CONCLUSION

The fast-track digitization of society has brought abundant opportunities and challenges, with additional complexities surrounding adolescent smartphone use. The literature reviewed underlines an apparent and persistent uneasiness among scholars about the addictive nature of smartphones and its associated mental health consequences for adolescents.

Dopamine releases, stimulated by online activity (Griffiths and Khan), suggest that digital designs can manipulate the adolescent brain’s heightened attentiveness to rewards and risks. Remedies like temporary digital detoxifications might offer transient relief (Handa). Parental mediation and the need for education remain among the foremost opportunities in this battle (Lee and Skogen). By balancing technological innovation with the requirements of the well-being of the youth, society can hope to strategize for a digital future that is inspiring and empathetic without compromising the psychological framework of the next generation (Jongsma and Lee).

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Hinrichsen, Jayson. “Fifth Prototype Image: Teen blonde Gen-Z woman in a white shirt and blue jeans on quad skates crouching.” Unsplash. 04 October 2022. Https://unsplash.com/photos/a-woman-sitting-on-top-of-a-skateboard-on-a-court-GUXlNKiTTaQ.

“Icons.” 33,612 Icons. Fontawesome, Accessed on 11 September 2024. https://fontawesome.com/search?s=solid&f=sharp&o=r.

“Introduction: Thesis Motivation: Teenage Girl Lookin at Smartphone.” Unsplash. 14 April 2023, https://unsplash.com/photos/portrait-of-a-fashionable-young-woman-with-short-hair-and-leaning-her-body-against-a-shop-window-at-night-while-using-her-phone-bwbEw3SvBi8.

“Introduction: Thesis Motivation: Teenage Girl Looking at Smartphone.” Unsplash. 14 April 2023, https://unsplash.com/photos/portrait-of-a-fashionable-young-woman-with-short-hair-and-leaning-her-body-against-a-shop-window-at-night-while-using-her-phone-bwbEw3SvBi8.

Ivanov, Oleg. “Second Prototype Image: Kyiv, Ukraine, two teen women dancing with ring lights.” Unsplash. 24 May 2023. Https://unsplash.com/photos/two-women-standing-in-a-living-room-with-a-teddy-bear-EhUEJhwPxHE.

Iwara, Ben. “Twenty-fourth Prototype Image: Teenage girl with red braids singing into microphone on stand.” Unsplash. 29 April 2023. Https://unsplash.com/photos/a-woman-with-red-dreadlocks-singing-into-a-microphone-ciJu-k5kMMc.

Kampus. “Twenty-fifth Website Prototype Video: Smiling friends talking outdoor.” FREEPIK, Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/smiling-friends-talking-outdoor_2533429#fromView=search&page=1&position=8&uuid=94eb79a4-6fd9-4b34-aa53-64b5a28749fc.

Kelly, Stow. “Eighth Prototype Image: Adolescent woman in braided hair with beads in pink and white dress on the sidewalk.” Unsplash. 25 August 2021. Https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-pink-and-white-dress-standing-near-green-plants-during-daytime-k1VBnZbrRaY.

Kelly, Stow. “First Prototype Image: Taylor, a Teen woman in a light green dress with flow-ered platform black boots.” Unsplash. 02 September 2021. Https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-green-sleeveless-dress-standing-on-gray-concrete-pathway-n5GARPKsTwk.

Kelly, Stow. “Ninth Prototype Image: Adolescent boy in striped shirt holding cross neck-lace.” Unsplash. 02 September 2021. Https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-black-and-white-striped-shirt-wearing-white-earbuds-TDwOjFijgoc.

Kelly, Stow. “Sixth Prototype Image: Adolescent girl with a cigarette in black dress sitting on rocks.” Unsplash. 02 September 2021. Https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-black-tank-top-and-black-shorts-sitting-on-gray-rock-kCOvoXzHXXw.

Kelly, Stow. “Third Prototype Image: Ella005, Adolesce4nt girl in black with red eye makeup, pin-striped suit, gold necklaces.” Unsplash. 28 August 2021. Https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-black-suit-jacket-WuAAdf79VPE.

Lee, Arthur. “Case Study: Addressing the current ‘Doom Scrolling’ phenomenon with de-sign thinking.” Bootcamp.uxdesign.cc, 10 December 2021. Https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/.

“Library Book Mockup: Book Library mockup design.” FREEPIK, Accessed on 12 October 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-psd/book-library-mockup-design_33805473.htm#fromView=search&page=2&position=4&uuid=d921a8e0-c020-4a07-a234-00d03c12eacd.

“Los Muertos Crew.” Thirteenth Website Prototype Video: Low Angle Shot of Braided Hair Woman Singing Beside a Car. Pexels. Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://www.pexels.com/video/low-angle-shot-of-braided-hair-woman-singing-beside-a-car-14318240/.

Matveev, Andrey. “Batch Notifications.” Pexels- 22604121. Accessed on 20 August 2024. Https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up.

Mimi, Amorn. “Twenty-first Website Prototype Video: Young women walking looking at smartphone.” Pixabay, Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://pixabay.com/videos/woman-phone-street-urban-person-129410/.

“Nineteenth Prototype Image: A boy in a colorful room with the word joy on the wall.” FREEPIK: Kamele1. Accessed on 14 September 2024. Https://www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/boy-colorful-room-with-word-joy-wall_239036077.htm#fromView=image_search&page=1&position=37&uuid=33865421-d6bf-45f0-a1f2-c2f07e355317.

Panelo, Ian. “Close Up Shot of a Smartphone.” Pexels-8296107. Accessed on 20 August 2024. Https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-smartphone-8296107/.

“Paused Time Break.” NoScroll: Boost Attention Span. Google Play. Accessed on 23 Au-gust 2024. Https://play.google.com/store/apps/details.

“Problem Statement: Quarrel between lovers.” FREEPIK: luckyfotostudio. Accessed on 8 September 2024, https://freepik.com/premium-photo/quarrel-lovers_54034055.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=38&uuid=1e9e50df-d7d1-4b52-8d22-ab25a3c86127.

“Profile Image: Teenage Girl in Glasses and Braces.” FREEPIK: Vladislavgrohin. Accessed 14 September 2024. Www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/teenage-girl-glasses-braces-communicates-via-video-call_343038558.htm.

“Research Implications: Teenager Texting on Smartphone.” Unsplash. 03 May 2023, https://unsplash.com/photos/cute-teen-curly-hair-girl-with-mobile-phone-ALBbUEoNdlg.

“Research: Group of Teenagers on Smartphone One Separated and Alone.” Unsplash. 14 April 2023, https://unsplash.com/photos/attractive-teenage-student-girl-sitting-on-stone-steps-with-her-friends-in-front-of-university-holding-smart-phone-reading-or-watching-something-56sSN499PdE.

Rusian, Guzov. “Eleventh Prototype Image: Teen girl sitting at table and singing karaoke with laptop.” FREEPIK. Accessed on 14 September 2024. Https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/teen-girl-sitting-table-singing-karaoke-with-lap-top_23154490.htm#fromView=image_search&page=1&position=30&uuid=2ab8373b-0dc7-412f-adec-81a7537cce60.

Schmitz, Mike. “How to Configure Focus Modes to Eliminate Distractions and Interrup-tions.” The Sweet Setup. 10 July 2023. Https://thesweetsetup.com/.

“Scroll Blocked.” NoScroll: Boost Attention Span. Google Play. Accessed on 23 August 2024. Https://play.google.com/store/apps/details.

“Second Website Prototype Video: Musician Singing and Dancing Indoors.” Pexels, Ac-cessed on 24 September 2024. https://www.pexels.com/video/musician-singing-and-dancing-indoors-7955110/.

“Seventeenth Prototype Image: Friends selfie and peace sign while happy excited and showing perfect smile for happiness positive energy and love together Face portrait of women with care and support for social media content.” FREEPIK: The Yuri Arcurs Collection. Accessed on 09 September 2024. Https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/friends-selfie-peace-sign-while-happy-excited-showing-perfect-smile-happiness-positive-energy-love-together-face-portrait-women-with-care-support-social-media-con-tent_40149707.htm#fromView=image_search&page=1&position=41&uuid=e4146190-88f8-4aee-9f13-8f554e5824b0.

“Seventh Website Prototype Video: Female drummer playing music on drum set.” FREEPIK, Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/female-drummer-playing-music-drum-set_2300988#fromView=search&page=1&position=28&uuid=13e244ff-8414-41a3-95c1-d9449e3a45c2.

“Sixteenth Prototype Image: Teenager Filming Dance Video.” FREEPIK: Seventyfour. Ac-cessed on 14 September 2024. Https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/teenager-filming-dance-video_28570116.htm#from_view=detail_alsolike.

“Skateboarding Wiki.” Kickflip – Skateboarding Wiki – Fandom. Skateboarding Wiki, Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://skateboarding.fandom.com/wiki/Kickflip#:~:text=The%20Kickflip%20(originally%20Magic%20Flip,by%20Rodney%20Mullen%20in%201983..

SkelDry. “Joyful blogger teen girl dancing at camera filming video using mobile phone at home in living room.” FREEPIK, Accessed on 25 September 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/joyful-blogger-teen-girl-dancing-camera-filming-video-using-mobile-phone-home-living-room_3045487#fromView=search&page=1&position=27&uuid=83e01837-416b-4571-8fbb-2bfc76989322.

Spratt, Annie. “Team work, work colleagues, working together.” Unsplash. 26 March 2018. Https://unsplash.com/photos/group-of-people-using-laptop-computer-QckxruozjRg.

Stock, Emily. “Teenagers sitting on floor and texting with their smartphones.” FREEPIK. Accessed on 21 September 2024. Https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/teenagers-sitting-floor-texting-with-their-smartphones_311813810.htm#fromView=search&page=2&position=27&uuid=b5431303-bcd7-43a5-a2fe-41a0dbdc33b5.

Street, Jamie. “Person Holding Phone.” Upsplash-33oxtOMk6Ac. 28 December 2017, https://upsplash.com/photos/person-holding-phone-33oxtOMk6Ac.

“Sunset Reminder.” How to Create a Meditation App Based on the Examples of Calm and Headspace. Globaldev Group, 15 December 2021. Https://globaldevgroup.medium.com/.

Teja Knts, Ravi. “Best Quiz Apps & Trivia Games for Android For Every Need.” Techwiser. 12 October 2021. Https://techwiser.com/best-quiz-apps-android/.

The Yuri Arcurs Collection. “Attractive mixed race young girl learning to play guitar using laptop computer.” FREEPIK, Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/attractive-mixed-race-young-girl-learning-play-guitar-using-laptop-computer_2385171#fromView=search&page=7&position=19&uuid=13e244ff-8414-41a3-95c1-d9449e3a45c2.

“Thirteenth Prototype Image: Happy smiling mixed race couple having fun and taking selfie on smartphone enjoy piggyback ride.” FREEPIK: Bagus Productions. Accessed on 09 September 2024. Https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/happy-smiling-mixed-race-couple-having-fun-taking-selfie-smartphone-enjoy-piggyback-ride_22577925.htm#fromView=image_search&page=1&position=10&uuid=50d7f4ed-9a05-4bfb-8a64-cae0bda30557.

“Twentieth Prototype Image: Group of beautiful stylish hipster girls singing karaoke.” FREEPIK: Raisakanareva. Accessed on 09 September 2024. Https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/group-beautiful-stylish-hipster-girls-singing-karaoke_12104072.htm#from_view=detail_alsolike.

“Twenty-eighth Prototype Image: Teenage woman singing into a smartphone for social media post.” Music Observer and Unsplash in Collaboration with Getty Images. 25 August 2022. Https://musicobserver.com/dive-into-immersive-sound-exploring-3d-and-binaural-audio/.

“Twenty-eighth Website Prototype Video.” Energetic boy playing guitar during a band rehearsal in recording studio 1. FREEPIK, Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://www.freepik.com/free-video/energetic-boy-playing-guitar-band-rehearsal-recording-studio-1_173405#fromView=search&page=1&position=18&uuid=49e1f31a-07d4-459f-8f9b-3715fc575735.

“Twenty-fourth Prototype Image: That’s moment is so funny, look. Two female twins lying on the white bed at daytime watching movie.” Depositphotos in Collaboration with Getty Images. 24 August 2022. Https://depositphotos.com/photo/moment-funny-look-two-female-twins-lying-white-bed-daytime-521492942.html.

“Twenty-ninth Website Prototype Video.” Friends in the bedroom. FREEPIK, Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://www.freepik.com/free-video/friends-bedroom_1602646#fromView=search&page=1&position=10&uuid=41cf7e34-afc4-4b7c-b510-e901cba33e4d.

“Twenty-seventh Prototype Image: Young teenage girl singing in yellow top on cloth footstool.” Unsplash in Collaboration with Getty Images. 28 August 2022. Https://unsplash.com/photos/smiling-little-girl-in-bedroom-alone-looking-at-camera-ihZRwa6t4Z0.

Virgin, Iiona. “Fourth Prototype Image: Teenage boy in blue Nike zip-up sweatshirt and blue jeans.” Unsplash. 03 August 2019. Https://unsplash.com/photos/man-about-to-walk-wearing-black-nike-jacket-LLJ-HOiH1Ww.

Wavebreak Media. “Skater doing double kickflip trick.” FREEPIK, Accessed on 25 Sep-tember 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/skater-doing-double-kickflip-trick_3077010#fromView=search&page=1&position=13&uuid=bcf2a6d9-646e-404a-926e-e146946fd03a.

Wavebreak Media. “Twenty-fourth Website Prototype Video: Girl singing karaoke.” FREEPIK, Accessed on 24 September 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-video/girl-singing-karaoke_3062429#fromView=search&page=8&position=8&uuid=13e244ff-8414-41a3-95c1-d9449e3a45c2.

“Wrangler Online Store.” Load More Button Example. Wrangler. Accessed on 26 August 2024. Https://www.wrangler.com/shop/men-shirts.

“Young Woman Mockup in Hoodie with Long Sleeves.” FREEPIK, Accessed on 15 October 2024. https://www.freepik.com/premium-psd/young-woman-wearing-mock-up-hoodie-with-long-sleeve_17433969.htm#fromView=search&page=3&position=1&uuid=8ea00be2-de72-453e-a108-9cfb3b1ebd4c.

Zama, Francesca. “Twenty-fourth Prototype Image: Emotional and upset teenage woman close-up.” Unsplash. 06 October 2021. Https://unsplash.com/photos/MGn5R1RTsCA.