Balancing online and offline worlds: leisure contexts and Positive Youth Development in adolescence

The present study aimed at examining online and offline leisure patterns and their associations with media use and indicators of Positive Youth Development (PYD) among male and female German adolescents. A sample of 752 students (mean age = 13, age range = 12–15; 54% female) completed questionnaires which included measures on the five Cs, leisure activities and media use. Descriptive analysis and analysis of variance were conducted. Results showed high combined PYD levels, with girls higher in caring and character, and boys in confidence and competence. Most adolescent leisure time was spent at home engaging in digital activities (e.g. gaming and internet use) with little engagement in political, social, or meeting friends outside. Adolescents with high levels of PYD participated more in offline activities, such as sports, and creative work and used the internet more for educational purposes, while those with lower PYD used it mainly for gaming. These findings highlight the importance of promoting structured offline activities and fostering critical, balanced engagement with digital media as pathways to support adolescents’ positive development.