Social media bans are an attempt to manage harm—but young people can flourish online

In the United Kingdom, Australia, and numerous other nations, discussions surrounding teenagers' internet and social media usage primarily revolve around risks, issues, and potential harms. This perspective, driven by regulatory emphasis, including bans on social media for those under 16, can inadvertently overlook the resilience and active engagement of young people in digital environments for personal growth, social connections, and self-expression.

Focusing solely on risk may obscure the ways in which young individuals build meaningful relationships, explore identities, and acquire skills online. In essence, they are not merely surviving but flourishing within digital environments. A relevant framework to understand this flourishing is self-determination theory, which posits that individuals thrive when their fundamental psychological needs are met: a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

These needs are especially crucial during adolescence, a period marked by increasing independence. A team of researchers conducted an extensive analysis of 90 studies spanning 26 countries since 2014, with a specific focus on the perspectives of young individuals aged 12 to 19. This approach sought to move away from adult assumptions and instead, center the voices of young people themselves.

The comprehensive review unveiled ten themes that revolve around the core dimensions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. These findings demonstrated that experiences of agency, skill development, and social connection are intricately intertwined, shaping adolescent flourishing in digital environments. Young people frequently reported that online spaces offered opportunities for self-expression and self-discovery, leading to the development of digital literacy, resilience, and creative confidence.

A 15-year-old participant articulated, "It’s creative confidence. Feeling empowered… Being able to say, I have good ideas, I can make them… I will get there." Simultaneously, experiences of connection and belonging emerged as equally significant. Digital platforms facilitated young people in maintaining friendships, forming communities, and accessing support networks that might not be accessible offline.

For many, these environments became central to their learning, socialization, and self-understanding. This was particularly vital for adolescents from underrepresented, underserved, or marginalized groups, who often found affirmation and connection in these online settings. Participants recounted using digital platforms to explore aspects of their identity, connect with like-minded peers, and engage in communities where they felt seen and supported.

As one 18-year-old shared, "The internet gave me an outlet, let me know I wasn’t alone… It was a sense of community I wasn’t able to have in person, and it gave me the strength to last." In this context, digital technologies were not merely communicative tools; they served as inclusive spaces offering recognition and belonging that might otherwise be lacking offline.

Crucially, safety and flourishing need not be mutually exclusive objectives. Digital environments can simultaneously provide protection and enable growth for young people. Achieving this balance necessitates acknowledging the capabilities, creativity, resilience, and agency that young individuals bring to these digital spaces. The study advocates for digital policies and educational approaches that prioritize not just risk mitigation but also actively foster conditions for young people to thrive.

Ensuring accessible, inclusive, and supportive digital spaces that nurture autonomy, competence, and relatedness is one pathway to achieving this goal. Moreover, tech companies must also take proactive steps to create digital environments that genuinely support young users. Within educational settings, teachers can play a pivotal role by recognizing and leveraging the existing knowledge that young people possess.

The research revealed that some adolescents already understood the workings of algorithms. They leveraged this knowledge to influence the content they encountered on their feeds by unfollowing accounts, deleting applications, and prioritizing positive or affirming material. There is a valuable opportunity to build upon this knowledge, particularly because the digital landscape is continually evolving.

This could involve empowering young people to reflect on their values and make digital decisions that align with those values. By broadening our focus in these ways, we can begin to more fully comprehend and effectively support what it means for individuals to flourish in the digital world.