Abstract
The chapter focuses on the effects of using digital technology amongst Zimbabwean adolescents. The research was necessitated by the fact that adolescents are a vulnerable group still in the self-discovery age. COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the widespread use of digital learning to facilitate learning, communication, and social interaction among adolescents. Focus groups and interviews were used to gather data in primary schools. There is a disparity in technological device use and access to the internet between urban and rural areas dwellers. Ninety percent of students in rural areas did not have access to technological devices, and during the pandemic, they hardly used them for learning purposes but mostly used them for communicating with relatives. In Zimbabwe, digital technology devices have not yet replaced social relationships as most adolescents are restricted to 2-3 hours on their devices. A model for effective use of digital technologies in adolescents can be developed and implemented.
TopMain Focus Of The Chapter
The book chapter focuses on the constructs, access to digital technology; the impact of digital technologies on adolescent learning; the uses of digital technology and social skills development on adolescents; digital technologies’ effect on adolescents’ mental well-being; digital technologies’ effect on adolescents’ psychological development; and pros and cons of digital technologies on adolescents.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Mobile Device: Refers to portable computing devices like cellphones, tablets, smartphones, laptops and so on.
Adolescence: Is a phase characterised by the increased need for social interaction with peers as humans transit from childhood to adulthood.
Cyberbullying: The use of digital technologies in bullying a person.
Social media: Is a digital networking platform which consists of websites and systems (mobile, desktop, embedded) to facilitate communication, engaged interactions, content (text, video, audio, pictures, files and so on) sharing and collaboration. These include Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and so on.
Digital Technologies: Is the use of technologies in different disciplines like education, healthcare, insurance and so on through the incorporation of software, hardware and services that generates, stores, and processes data.
Socialisation: Is the connection or mixing among family members, community, friends, and other entities for development or belonging.
Education: Is the process of acquisition of knowledge.