Impact of Internet Usage on Social Maturity Among Indian Adolescents

The rapid rise of internet usage among adolescents has prompted increasing interest in understanding its influence on their psychosocial development. This study uses a quantitative research design to investigate the level of social maturity among 507 internet-using adolescents aged 13–16 years from selected metropolitan and non-metropolitan schools. Data were collected using Dr. Nalini Rao’s standardised Social Maturity Scale, which evaluates three key dimensions: personal adequacy, interpersonal adequacy, and social adequacy. Results revealed a mean social maturity score of 220.78, with the highest average score in personal adequacy. The majority of respondents (64.4%) exhibited average social maturity, followed by above average (24%), below average (8.87%), and high maturity (2.56%). Demographic analysis highlighted variations in social maturity based on gender, religion, area of residence, type of school, and source of internet access. Males, rural students, Sikhs, private school students, and those using computers for internet access demonstrated comparatively higher maturity scores. The findings underscore the complex interplay between digital exposure and psychosocial development in adolescents, suggesting the need for balanced internet use and socially supportive environments to foster healthy adolescent growth.