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Psychology and Law
2025. Vol. 15, no. 3, 24–36
doi:10.17759/psylaw.2025150302
ISSN: 2222-5196 (online)

Mental development of children and adolescents in the context of digitalization of society

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. Personal development and socialization of children and adolescents today occur in a special situation, when Internet technologies are a constant companion of the child. The concepts of "digital childhood", "digital socialization" are often used, which implies the need to analyze the infocommunication context of development along with the cultural-historical, social and psychological contexts. Objective. Analysis of studies that determine the impact of digitalization on changes in the social situation of development and formation of children. Results. The impact of Internet technologies on the development of children and adolescents is difficult to underestimate; along with positive factors, we observe a number of significant risks and emerging problems that require further research. Conclusions. It has been shown that digitalization influences various aspects of the formation of the cognitive, personal sphere of children and adolescents. The use of digital technologies in education and entertainment activities should be balanced with traditional methods of communication and education.

General Information

Keywords: adolescent, digital childhood, information environment, dysontogenesis, prevention

Journal rubric: Legal Psychology of Childhood

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2025150302

Funding. The study carried out within the framework of State Assignment No. 123022000056-7 “Development of comprehensive models of clinical and psychological diagnostics, examination, prevention, interdepartmental interaction when working with children and adolescents in the context of crimes committed in the information environment and cyberspace” (2023—2025).

Received 30.06.2025

Revised 17.07.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Fedonkina, A.A. (2025). Mental development of children and adolescents in the context of digitalization of society. Psychology and Law, 15(3), 24–36. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2025150302

© Fedonkina A.A., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Anastasia A. Fedonkina, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Federal state budgetary institution «Serbsky Federal medical research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology» of the Ministry of healthcare of the Russian Federation, Senior Researcher, Federal Coordinating Center for the Provision of Psychological Services in the Education System (MSUPE), Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0313-5272, e-mail: afedonkina@gmail.com

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Ethics statement

The article doesn’t contain any materials to be considered by an Ethical committee.

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