Real-life and online socialization among Norwegian adolescents in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Social support and social interaction are important for adolescents’ well-being and mental health. With the pervasive integration of digital technologies into daily life, screens have become a natural part of how adolescents engage socially. This pattern was amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdown measures lead to an escalation in digital platforms mediating social interactions. The aim of this study was to assess patterns of real-life and online socialization among Norwegian adolescents in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This study is based on repeated cross-sectional data, from the Ungdata surveys conducted in 2018, 2021 and 2023, representing the time before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively (N = 83,453). Single and multivariable logistic regression analyses with time used as independent variable were used to predict real-life and online socialization, including school level, gender, and socio-economy as covariates. Results Preliminary results found that the likelihood of having a high level for real-life socialization at home was higher in 2023 compared to 2021 (OR: 1.07, 95% CI:1.03-1.10). For real-life socialization not at home, the likelihood of having a high level was higher in 2021 and 2023 (OR: 1.22, 1.18-1.27 and OR: 1.28, 1.24-1.33), compared to 2018. For social media use, the likelihood of having a high level was higher in 2021 and 2023 (OR: 1.52, 1.46-1.58 and OR: 1.73, 1.66-1.79), compared to 2018. For online gaming and online socialization, the likelihood of having a high level was higher in 2021 (OR: 1.26, 1.21-1.31 and OR: 1.05, 1.01-1.10), but lower in 2023 (OR: 0.92, 0.88-0.95 and OR: 0.78, 0.75-0.81), compared to 2018. Conclusions There are significant differences in real-life and online socialization between years in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge about how adolescents socialize in time of crisis is important in a public health perspective to support adolescents’ social life. Key messages • Social support and social interactions are important in adolescents’ lives, and they utilize both digital and real-life forms of socialization. • Knowledge about how adolescents’ socialization patterns change over time and in relation to crisis is important for public health policy and practice.