A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior suggests that digital maturity plays a key role in fostering social connectedness among adolescents. Researchers found that teens with higher digital maturity tend to feel more socially connected, but this connection is not simply a result of more active use of social media. Instead, factors such as engaging with real-life friends online and adopting compassionate goals in online interactions played mediating roles.
The increasing role of digital technologies in adolescents’ lives has brought both opportunities and challenges for social connectedness. Social connectedness—the sense of belonging and having positive relationships—is crucial for emotional well-being. However, despite constant online connectivity, reports of loneliness among young people are on the rise.
This paradox raises important questions: Does the way adolescents use digital tools determine whether their online interactions are beneficial? And could digital maturity—defined as the ability to use digital technologies in ways that support personal growth and societal integration—help explain differences in their experiences of social connectedness?
Previous research has explored various factors affecting online social interactions, such as the intensity of social media use and personality traits. However, few studies have examined digital maturity as a holistic ability influencing social connectedness. The researchers aimed to fill this gap, investigating how digital maturity shapes adolescents’ social interactions online and the mechanisms through which it fosters social connectedness.
“My goal is to investigate what kind of abilities enable young people to use digital technologies and social media in a beneficial way, taking advantage of the opportunities which the digital world offers while avoiding accompanying risk,” said study author Teresa Koch of the University of Vienna, who is affiliated with the Digymatex Project.
“I focus on the concept of digital maturity, which captures several abilities and attitudes which enable young people to use digital devices for personal growth and social integration. Considering the omnipresence of digital devices in our daily life, I think that it is crucial to better understand how we can make the most of them, while avoiding potential negative outcomes.”
The research involved two complementary studies: a longitudinal study and a cross-sectional study, each involving parent-adolescent pairs from different European countries. The total sample size across both studies was 573 participants.
Study 1 was a longitudinal study that followed 316 adolescents (average age 15) and their parents over one year. The adolescents’ digital maturity was assessed at the first wave using a comprehensive inventory measuring skills such as emotional regulation and respectful online behavior. At the second wave, adolescents reported their social connectedness, while both parents and adolescents evaluated the teens’ online activity as either active (e.g., posting, commenting) or passive (e.g., scrolling).
Study 2 was a cross-sectional study focused on 257 adolescents (average age 14) from Spain. The researchers examined whether engaging with real-life friends online and holding compassionate goals mediated the relationship between digital maturity and social connectedness. Adolescents completed surveys assessing their digital maturity, their goals for online interactions (compassionate versus self-image-focused), and their engagement with real-life versus virtual-only friends online.
Both studies used the Digital Maturity Inventory, which assesses regulation of negative emotions in digital contexts, respect towards others in digital contexts, and individual growth. Those who score high on this measure of digital maturity agree with statements such as “When using a mobile device, I watch my language when I disagree with someone, so that what I say doesn’t come across as mean” and “When using a mobile device, I learn something useful,” but disagree with statements such as “When using a mobile device, and I become annoyed or upset online, it takes me a long time to feel better.”
The researchers found that adolescents with higher digital maturity were more likely to use online platforms to strengthen their relationships with real-life friends rather than form relationships with virtual-only contacts. This engagement with real-life friends was strongly associated with higher social connectedness. It suggests that digitally mature adolescents are adept at using digital tools to maintain and enhance offline relationships, leveraging the online world to complement rather than replace in-person connections.
Another significant finding was the role of compassionate goals in online interactions. Adolescents with higher digital maturity were more likely to adopt compassionate goals—prioritizing others’ well-being and aiming to provide support. These goals were linked to higher social connectedness, underscoring the importance of the motivations behind online interactions. Adolescents who engage with others out of a genuine desire to foster positive relationships seem to reap greater emotional and social rewards.
“My study shows that adolescents with higher digital maturity also feel more socially connected to others, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally one year later,” Koch told PsyPost. “Adolescents with higher digital maturity use digital devices to engage with their friends from real life, rather than virtual-only friends, which seems to benefit their social connectedness. Also, they feel more compassionate towards others, which also seems to benefit their social connectedness.”
Interestingly, self-image goals, which focus on enhancing personal reputation, did not diminish the benefits of compassionate goals in this study. In fact, the results suggested a positive interaction between the two. While self-image goals are often viewed as self-serving and potentially harmful to relationship quality, the digital environment may provide a unique context where self-presentation can coexist with relationship-building.
Surprisingly, the researchers found that active use of social media (e.g., posting and commenting) was not a primary mechanism linking digital maturity to social connectedness. “We expected that with higher digital maturity, adolescents would use devices more actively, e.g. to communicate with friends, which would benefit social connectedness,” Koch explained. “However, this did not seem to be the case.”
In fact, the relationship between active use and social connectedness was inconsistent, with some measures suggesting a weak or even negative association. This finding calls into question the common belief that active engagement with digital platforms is socially beneficial. It appears that how and why adolescents engage online—such as with whom they interact and the goals they pursue—matter more than the sheer act of active participation.
The research highlights a significant relationship between digital maturity and social connectedness among adolescents. However, the correlational nature of the study does not confirm whether digital maturity leads to social connectedness or vice versa.
“One important consideration is that the findings of this study are all correlational,” Koch said. “While they can establish a temporal link of digital maturity to social connectedness one year later, no causal conclusions can be drawn whether digital maturity causes higher social connectedness.”
The study, “Socially (dis)connected in a connected world: The role of young people’s digital maturity,” was authored by Teresa Koch, Franziska Laaber, Alvaro Arenas, and Arnd Florack.
