Author(s)

Qihan Xie ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Institute of Education, University College London, 19 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1H OAW, UK

Corresponding Author

Qihan Xie

ABSTRACT

In the digital age, smartphones have become ubiquitous among adolescents, serving as tools for communication, entertainment, and emotional regulation. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to explore the complex relationship between smartphone use-particularly social media-and adolescent mental health. Quantitative survey data from 79 respondents reveals that social media applications dominate usage patterns and are closely linked to both positive emotional connection and negative outcomes such as anxiety, stress, and emotional volatility. Qualitative interviews provide deeper insight, showing that adolescents use smartphones as informal tools for coping with distress but are often critical of existing mental health applications for lacking personalization and emotional depth. The findings suggest that smartphones play a dual role, acting as both sources of psychological strain and accessible resources for emotional support. The paper concludes by arguing for a nuanced understanding that moves beyond simple prohibition toward guided, intentional use, and highlights the need for integrating mental health support into everyday digital environments.

KEYWORDS

Smartphone Use, Adolescent Mental Health, Social Media, Emotional Regulation, Mixed-Methods Research, Digital Mental Health

CITE THIS PAPER

Qihan Xie. The dual nature of smartphones in the growth of teenagers: Psychological emotion regulation and improper usage behavior. Advances in Educational Technology and Psychology (2026). Vol. 10, No. 1, 148-152. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/aetp.2026.100120.

REFERENCES

[1] Keles B, McCrae N, Grealish A. A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 2020;25(1), 79-93.
[2] Smith J, Johnson R. Social media use and adolescent well-being: A narrative review of longitudinal studies. Journal of Adolescent Health, 2020;65(3), 400-410.
[3] Wu A, Scult M, Barnes E, Betancourt J, Falk A, Gunning F. Smartphone apps for depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of techniques to increase engagement. NPJ Digital Medicine, 2021;4(1), 20.

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