Author(s): Jyoti Prakash and Anju Singh

Abstract:
Adolescent girls are more likely to suffer from depression, a serious mood illness marked by enduring sadness and disinterest. This study looked at the relationship between teenage depression symptoms and digital media consumption in rural areas. 400 females between the ages of 13 and 19 participated in a descriptive cross-sectional survey that included questionnaires and standardised psychological measures. The findings indicated moderate-to-high daily screen exposure, mostly from YouTube and social media, with 63% exhibiting frequent depressed symptoms and over 60% experiencing sleep delays linked to media. While overall screen use was not significantly correlated with mental health outcomes, family structure and school attendance were. The results highlight the need for digital literacy, family supervision, and school-based mental health treatments by indicating that the timing, context, and purpose of media use have a greater psychological impact than time alone.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23957476.2025.v11.i3e.2010