“It’s a window to the outside world. . .” Perspectives From Minority Youth in Aotearoa New Zealand on the Impact of Media and Technology on Their Wellbeing

Bibliographic Data

ID21101010
AuthorsCara S Swit (0000-0002-7198-5869, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, corresponding author), Jennifer Smith (0000-0001-6825-7118, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand), Aaron Hāpuku (0000-0001-9836-3915, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand), Okirano Fialele (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand), Finn Barclay (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand), Rosa Hibbert-Schooner (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand), Kirsten Nation (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand), Sarah M Coyne (0000-0002-1403-8726, Brigham Young University, Provo, USA)
Year2025
Publication date2025-12-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Adolescent Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0743-5584 • E-ISSN: 1552-6895
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/07435584251398914
OpenAlexW4417432366
LanguageEN
References cited66

This study investigated the perspectives of young people aged 12–18 years from minority communities in Aotearoa New Zealand on how media and technology influence their mental health and wellbeing. Adopting a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) approach, we conducted 19 focus groups ( n = 77) with young people from Māori, Pacific, Deaf, or Rainbow (LGBTQIA+) communities. Thematic analysis identified six overarching themes: (1) constant device use; (2) diverse device use for distinct and related purposes; (3) positive aspects of device use; (4) negative aspects of device use; (5) young people have the solutions for young people; and (6) young people have the solutions for adults. These themes highlight the complex and multifaceted ways digital media and technology shape the mental health and wellbeing of underserved young people, and point to actionable strategies and policy recommendations, grounded in the lived experiences of those most affected—young people themselves

Aotearoa · Citizen journalism · Focus group · Grounded theory · Mental health · Participatory action research · Qualitative research · Social media · Thematic analysis · Child Development and Digital Technology · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Technology Use by Older Adults

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Open DOIOpen Access