A meta-synthesis of 90 qualitative studies across 26 countries identifies adolescents' positive online experiences with digital flourishing¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? A systematic review synthesised 90 qualitative studies published 2014–2025 across 26 countries on how adolescents aged 12–19 experience flourishing via digital technologies. → Gordon 2025

Evidence¶

Gordon 2025¶

Gordon, C. S., Brake, N., Hammond, S. P., Picton, I., Notley, T., Rowston, K., Gutierrez, A., Basarkod, G., Costello, K., Gupta, M., West, M., & Dicke, T. (2025). Adolescent flourishing in a digitally connected world: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis. Preprint. https://osf.io/j48k5/?view_only=8b6423082746439abb4106526e953aaf

q2 · i? · review · r2

Systematic review reporting study characteristics: 90 included qualitative and mixed-methods studies, with the review noting "more than half (n=70) appearing from 2019 onwards" and representation across 26 countries. Sample sizes ranged from one to 3,665 participants (median = 29).

"The included studies were published between 2014 and 2025, with more than half (n=70) appearing from 2019 onwards. Of the 90 studies, 26 countries were represented across Europe (n = 34), North America (n = 23), Oceania (n = 13)"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Online environments build adolescent competence through pride in achievements, social confidence, and creative confidence — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Online environments function as virtual youth centres and hubs for bonding and bridging social capital — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Online spaces hold distinctive value for underrepresented adolescents for identity expression, supportive peer networks, and friendships — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Adolescents experience autonomy online through self-discovery, anonymity, and judgement-free self-expression — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Adolescents proactively use online technologies to unwind, escape stress, and regulate emotions — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• The evidence base on inclusion effects is methodologically weak: no randomised studies and nearly all synthesised studies at serious risk of bias — related