Youth digital addiction: implications for future workforce

Our research project examines the impact of youth digital addiction on mental health, socioeconomic stability, and the future workforce in an era where AI is transforming industries.

AI is reshaping the economy, but digital addiction harms mental health, especially among youth, affecting cognitive skills, productivity, and workplace readiness.

Psychological and environmental factors contribute to socioeconomic issues, unemployment, and increased suicide risks.

Our research aims to develop strategies for responsible digital usage and interventions to support youth and employees.

Addressing digital addiction and its socioeconomic impact

AI’s rapid expansion in the digital economy brings urgent challenges like digital addiction’s impact on mental health, particularly among youth. This affects cognitive abilities, productivity, and interpersonal skills essential for the workforce.

Our research explores digital addiction’s socio-economic effects, including unemployment, economic vulnerability, and rising suicide risks.

By analysing psychological, social, and environmental factors, we identify tailored interventions to support youth and employees, promoting resilience and adaptability. We also examine the role of social media standards in addiction and mental health, proposing responsible digital usage strategies for citizens and platform developers.

Using roundtable discussions and a systematic literature review, we aim to understand digital addiction’s complexities and develop actionable standards.

Our project stands out by addressing the interplay between digital addiction, mental health, and the socio-economic impacts of AI, focusing on workforce resilience in the AI-driven economy.

We uniquely integrate perspectives from youth, employees, policymakers, and academics through qualitative roundtable discussions, capturing diverse real-world challenges. Unlike conventional studies, we emphasise actionable outcomes, such as tailored interventions for mental wellbeing and responsible social media standards.

By exploring the impact of excessive screen time on cognitive abilities and productivity, we aim to align AI’s potential with societal and workforce needs, offering a holistic framework to address emerging digital challenges effectively.

Our project

Our research investigates the intersection of digital addiction, mental health, and socioeconomic challenges in the AI-driven economy. As AI transforms industries, concerns about digital addiction and its negative impact on mental health and productivity have emerged. Our project explores the implications for preparing a resilient, adaptable future workforce and fostering equitable growth in the digital age.

Key objectives:

• Digital addiction and its drivers: Analyse the psychological, familial, and environmental factors contributing to digital addiction, particularly among youth and employees
• Mental health and workplace impact: Investigate how digital dependency affects mental health, cognitive skills, and workplace productivity, with a focus on skills like collaboration and innovation
• Socio-economic impacts: Examine the socio-economic effects of digital addiction, such as rising unemployment, income inequality, and loss of psychosocial support, especially in an AI-driven economy
• Future workforce resilience: Explore strategies to equip the workforce with tools to mitigate digital pressures and develop the skills needed to succeed in the AI-driven labour market
• Policy and intervention strategies: Propose tailored interventions to address the impact of digital addiction on mental health, productivity, and workforce preparedness