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Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital technologies has significantly transformed adolescents’ lives worldwide. While digital environments create new opportunities for communication, learning, and social interaction, growing concerns have emerged regarding their potential impact on adolescent mental health. These challenges are particularly relevant in Central Asia, where rapid digitalization is reshaping social environments and youth lifestyles.

This paper examines the relationship between digital technology use and indicators of adolescent mental health, with a focus on anxiety, depression, and stress, using evidence from Uzbekistan. The analysis is based on data from the National School Survey on Adolescent Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being, conducted in 2022 in collaboration with UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The survey includes 22,854 students from 299 schools across all regions of the country, representing one of the largest empirical datasets on adolescent mental health in Central Asia.

The findings indicate that adolescents who spend more than five hours per day online exhibit significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress compared to moderate users. Qualitative evidence from focus groups further highlights the ambivalent nature of digital engagement: adolescents describe both the opportunities provided by online environments and the emotional risks associated with excessive screen time.

Situating the Uzbek case within the broader Central Asian context, the paper discusses how increasing internet connectivity, widespread smartphone use, and expanding social media environments are transforming adolescent socialization across the region. The study contributes to emerging research on youth digital well-being in Central Asia and emphasizes the importance of developing integrated policy approaches, including digital literacy education, parental engagement, and school-based mental health support.

Keywords: digital technologies, adolescent mental health, screen time, digital well-being, anxiety and depression, Central Asia