The Effect of a Digital Literacy Program on Problematic Internet Use, Emotion Regulation, and Loneliness in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Digital literacy is the process of developing individuals' access to accurate information, critical evaluation, ethical and responsible use, self-management, and social interaction skills. Digital media has become an indispensable part of life today. Individuals interact intensively with digital media, especially during adolescence, a period when interaction with the outside world intensifies, shapes an individual's identity, and heightens emotional awareness. During this critical developmental period, inadequate access to accurate information, critical thinking, and self-regulation skills pave the way for adolescents' problematic internet use. Problematic internet use negatively impacts individuals' academic success, friendships, and physical and mental health. Emotion regulation, one of the most important skills for coping with risky situations that may arise from problematic internet use, supports adolescents' adaptability and is an effective skill in preventing negative digital interactions. Weak emotion regulation skills can make adolescents more vulnerable to negative digital interactions. Furthermore, increased time spent online and a decrease in face-to-face interactions can reinforce feelings of loneliness. The program, developed with a positive youth development perspective, aims to increase adolescents' awareness of digital literacy, improve their emotion regulation skills, and reduce feelings of loneliness. The program is expected to provide important data for developing evidence-based intervention approaches for digital literacy within the scope of preventive mental health services in nursing, and particularly for nurses to assume more active roles in school-based preventive mental health services.