Bridging Early Adolescents' Online and In‐Person Experiences: Qualitative Explorations of Emotional and Relational Well‐Being in the Post‐COVID‐19 Era

Findings indicated that digital media use supported adolescent development by fostering interests and hobbies, helping adolescents navigate developmental changes, and facilitating social connections. At the same time, certain patterns of social media use fueled risks, including in-person aggression, exposure to mature content, safety concerns, and social comparison. These findings underscore the need for preventative interventions that teach adolescents a mindful approach to digital media use and provide support for vulnerable adolescents.