Digital Technology and Adolescent Well-Being: A Comparative Study of Pakistan and Canada

Abstract

This study aims to assess the impact of digital technology use on the digital well-being of adolescents in Pakistan and Canada. Unlike previous research relying on secondary data, this study gathers primary data directly from adolescents on a five-dimensional Likert scale from the Center for Trusted Internet and Community at the National University of Singapore. The study examines the impact of digital technology use on digital consumption, health, civic participation, employment, and social relations, as well as their subsequent effects on digital well-being. A quantitative approach was employed, with data sample of 300 survey questionnaires from Pakistan and Canada.
The findings show a positive correlation between digital technology use and digital consumption, civic participation, employment, and social relations. Negative impacts are observed on digital health due to low use of health apps, resulting in headaches, eye strain, and sleep issues. Differences in digital civic participation and online shopping habits are influenced by economic and accessibility factors. Encourage balanced digital consumption, promote health app usage, and enhance digital literacy programs to support informed civic participation.