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A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies on Youth Internet Behavior Using the Positive Youth Development Frameworks

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Title: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies on Youth Internet Behavior Using the Positive Youth Development Frameworks
Language: English
Authors: Maneela Sirisety (ORCID 0000-0003-4567-6947), Ravi Shanker Datti (ORCID 0000-0002-8353-3384), Nidhi Mishra, Ashutosh Tewari, Swathi Akkaraju, Revathi Sampathirao
Source: Journal of Adolescence. 2026 98(3):724-743.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Youth, Internet, Adolescent Development, Well Being, Longitudinal Studies, Addictive Behavior, Computer Games, Mental Disorders, Computer Mediated Communication, Bullying
DOI: 10.1002/jad.70108
ISSN: 0140-1971
1095-9254
Abstract: Background: Positive youth development (PYD) is a strength-based approach that promotes positive outcomes to support the well-being of youth. With digital technology becoming central to adolescents' lives, understanding how PYD is related to internet behaviors is crucial. The current study addresses this growing need by systematically reviewing the studies that examined how PYD-related constructs are associated with youth internet behaviors over time. Method: This systematic review synthesized findings from 10 longitudinal studies identified from 794 screened records that examined the association between PYD-related variables and youth internet behaviors. Following PRISMA guidelines, the methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for cohort studies. A narrative synthesis approach was employed to integrate findings. Result: Findings indicate that high PYD attributes, developmental assets, and school assets were shown to negatively predict problematic internet behaviors, including internet addiction, internet gaming disorder, and cyberbullying victimization, both concurrently and longitudinally. Importantly, these associations were rarely direct. Positive mediators and moderators strengthened the protective effects of PYD, whereas adverse psychological states and contextual risks weakened these associations. Conclusion: This review highlights that PYD functions mainly as a protective developmental resource operating through indirect and conditional pathways in digital contexts. However, the literature remains heavily focused on risk-oriented internet outcomes, with limited attention to positive forms of digital engagement. Conceptual inconsistencies in PYD operationalization and a strong geographic concentration of studies further underscore the need for more robust, theoretically integrated, and cross-cultural longitudinal research.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501617
Database: ERIC
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  Data: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies on Youth Internet Behavior Using the Positive Youth Development Frameworks
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maneela+Sirisety%22">Maneela Sirisety</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4567-6947">0000-0003-4567-6947</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ravi+Shanker+Datti%22">Ravi Shanker Datti</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8353-3384">0000-0002-8353-3384</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nidhi+Mishra%22">Nidhi Mishra</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ashutosh+Tewari%22">Ashutosh Tewari</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Swathi+Akkaraju%22">Swathi Akkaraju</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Revathi+Sampathirao%22">Revathi Sampathirao</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Adolescence%22"><i>Journal of Adolescence</i></searchLink>. 2026 98(3):724-743.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Youth%22">Youth</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internet%22">Internet</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adolescent+Development%22">Adolescent Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Longitudinal+Studies%22">Longitudinal Studies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Addictive+Behavior%22">Addictive Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Games%22">Computer Games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Disorders%22">Mental Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Mediated+Communication%22">Computer Mediated Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bullying%22">Bullying</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/jad.70108
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  Data: 0140-1971<br />1095-9254
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Positive youth development (PYD) is a strength-based approach that promotes positive outcomes to support the well-being of youth. With digital technology becoming central to adolescents' lives, understanding how PYD is related to internet behaviors is crucial. The current study addresses this growing need by systematically reviewing the studies that examined how PYD-related constructs are associated with youth internet behaviors over time. Method: This systematic review synthesized findings from 10 longitudinal studies identified from 794 screened records that examined the association between PYD-related variables and youth internet behaviors. Following PRISMA guidelines, the methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for cohort studies. A narrative synthesis approach was employed to integrate findings. Result: Findings indicate that high PYD attributes, developmental assets, and school assets were shown to negatively predict problematic internet behaviors, including internet addiction, internet gaming disorder, and cyberbullying victimization, both concurrently and longitudinally. Importantly, these associations were rarely direct. Positive mediators and moderators strengthened the protective effects of PYD, whereas adverse psychological states and contextual risks weakened these associations. Conclusion: This review highlights that PYD functions mainly as a protective developmental resource operating through indirect and conditional pathways in digital contexts. However, the literature remains heavily focused on risk-oriented internet outcomes, with limited attention to positive forms of digital engagement. Conceptual inconsistencies in PYD operationalization and a strong geographic concentration of studies further underscore the need for more robust, theoretically integrated, and cross-cultural longitudinal research.
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  Data: 2026
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      – SubjectFull: Internet
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      – SubjectFull: Adolescent Development
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      – SubjectFull: Well Being
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      – SubjectFull: Bullying
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