Digital Life and Psychological Wellbeing

The rapid expansion of digital technology and social media has transformed human interaction, communication, learning, and psychological experiences across generations. While these technological advancements have created unprecedented opportunities for connectivity, awareness, and access to information, they have simultaneously introduced complex psychological challenges affecting mental health, emotional well-being, social relationships, and quality of life. In recent years, concerns related to stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, digital addiction, social media burnout, and psychological vulnerability among different age groups have become increasingly significant in both academic discourse and public health discussions.

At the same time, the global rise in the aging population has drawn attention toward the importance of positive aging, emotional resilience, social inclusion, and mental well-being among older adults. The intersection of social media, digital engagement, and psychological health has emerged as a crucial area of interdisciplinary inquiry, especially within the context of rapidly changing social structures and technological environments. Recognizing the need for scholarly dialogue on these emerging concerns, the International Conference on “Mental Health, Social Media and Positive Aging: Perspectives from Indian Knowledge System” was organized with the objective of bringing together researchers, academicians, psychologists, educators, and scholars to explore contemporary psychological challenges through interdisciplinary and culturally rooted perspectives. The conference aimed to encourage meaningful discussions on mental health, digital culture, psychological well-being, social media engagement, positive aging, and the relevance of Indian Knowledge Systems in addressing modern psychosocial issues. This edited volume is an outcome of the valuable scholarly contributions presented during the conference. The chapters included in this book reflect diverse theoretical, empirical, conceptual, and interdisciplinary perspectives related to mental health, social media, digital well-being, positive aging, media literacy, youth psychology, AI literacy, intergenerational learning, loneliness, resilience, and psychological adaptation in contemporary society. A distinctive strength of this volume lies in its integration of Indian Knowledge Systems with modern psychological understanding. Several chapters emphasize the relevance of yoga, mindfulness, ethical values, emotional balance, and indigenous approaches to well-being in promoting psychological resilience and healthy living. Such contributions demonstrate the continued significance of traditional wisdom in addressing present-day mental health challenges. The book has been systematically organized into thematic sections to ensure conceptual clarity and academic coherence. These sections include Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health, Social Media and Psychological Well-being, Positive Aging and Elderly Mental Health, Digital Inclusion and Intergenerational Perspectives, and Youth and Emerging Psychological Issues. Together, these chapters provide comprehensive insights into the psychological realities of contemporary digital society.

- THE EDITORS