Technological Addiction Exploring the Risks of Excessive Use of Mobile Devices and Social Networks in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Abstract

With the increasing integration of digital technology into adolescents' daily lives, it is essential to comprehensively understand the potential negative impacts this phenomenon could have on their mental health, social well-being, and academic performance. Therefore, this research aims to discern the determinants that drive adolescents towards the excessive use of social networks and mobile devices, as well as to understand the associated consequences in order to promote awareness, prevention and effective management of this addiction, encouraging a healthier and more balanced approach to the use of technologies through a systematic review using the PRISMA methodology by collecting manuscripts from databases such as Scopus, Web of Sciencie, Taylor & Francis and SciencieDirect and Springer. As a result, it was found that in addition to the positive aspects and challenges identified, adolescents' quest to establish interpersonal relationships by mobile devices and social networks prevails, which may be intrinsically linked to an emotional dependence. Therefore, it is urgent to implement educational and preventive strategies adapted to the current digital reality to promote a healthy balance in the use of technology by adolescents. 

Received: 16 June 2024 / Accepted: 20 December 2024 / Published: 11 January 2025