In the UK, Australia and many other countries around the world, debates around teenagers’ internet and social media use are focused on risks, problems and harms.

This has been reflected in a growing emphasis on regulation, including bans on social media for under-16s.

While these concerns are both necessary and well-intentioned, this focus can miss the resilience of young people and the active ways that they use digital environments for growth, connection and self-expression. If risk is the sole focus, we may overlook how young people cultivate meaningful relationships, explore identities and develop skills online. In short, not merely surviving digital environments, but flourishing within them.

One useful way to think about flourishing comes from self-determination theory. This psychological theory suggests that people thrive when basic psychological needs are met: having a sense of agency over our lives, feeling capable and effective and experiencing meaningful connection and belonging with others. In psychological terms, these are known as autonomy, competence and relatedness. These needs are particularly important during adolescence, a time of growing independence.

Hearing young people’s voices

In our latest research, we focused on young people’s own perspectives on how they flourish in digital environments: social media, online gaming and the internet more........

© The Conversation