DEVELOPING MINDS IN A DIGITAL WORLD: NEURODEVELOPMENTAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF ENVIRONMENTS

These chapters examine how age, sex, personality, and social neurobiology shape vulnerability and resilience in digital environments. Adolescence is a high risk period: hyper reactive reward circuits, immature prefrontal control, elevated stress reactivity, and delayed sleep rhythms increase sensitivity to digital validation, gaming reinforcement, and sleep loss, affecting identity, attention, and emotional regulation. Neurocognitive training, sleep protection, and structured technology limits are critical safeguards. Responses to digital stress vary by sex and personality. Hormone brain interactions and traits such as neuroticism, extraversion, and narcissism amplify specific online behaviours and emotional risks, requiring tailored interventions. In older adults, cognitive slowing coexists with stronger emotional regulation; purposeful interactive use can be protective, while passive consumption increases fraud risk and dependency. Overall, digital systems overstimulate dopamine reward pathways and under engage bonding circuits, contributing to loneliness despite constant connection.

Pagina's: 68, Paperback, LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing