The Digital Divide: How Technology Can Heal or Harm Girls’ Health
By Kafayat Busari
Seventeen year old Adaeze scrolls through her phone every evening, looking at posts about skincare routines, fitness goals, and seemingly perfect bodies. She admires the young women she follows, but often ends the night feeling inadequate and anxious. What should be a source of learning and connection has become a source of pressure and self doubt.
Technology is changing the lives of adolescent girls in unprecedented ways. It offers access to information, online education, health resources, and global communities. Yet it also exposes girls to comparison, unrealistic expectations, and even online harassment.
The Double Edged Role of Technology
Access to the internet can empower girls to learn about nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, and mental wellbeing. Telemedicine apps allow confidential consultations, and online learning platforms help girls acquire skills and knowledge previously out of reach.
However, the benefits come with risks. Excessive screen time and exposure to idealized images on social media have been linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and body dissatisfaction among teenage girls. The University of Oxford reported in 2024 that girls spending more than three hours online daily are twice as likely to experience mental health challenges.
Impact on Physical and Mental Health
Social comparison can lead to unhealthy eating habits, disrupted sleep, and lower self esteem. Constant connectivity makes it difficult to establish boundaries, increasing stress levels. For many girls, the line between inspiration and self criticism is thin, and the consequences can affect both mental and physical health.
Adaeze admits, “I follow women who inspire me, but sometimes I end up comparing my life to theirs. It makes me feel like I am not doing enough.”
Technology as a Tool for Empowerment
The solution is not to disconnect girls from technology but to guide them in using it safely and productively. Programs such as Girls Who Code and TechHer Africa teach girls to create apps, develop coding skills, and solve real world problems. These initiatives help girls see technology as a tool for creativity, innovation, and empowerment rather than a source of insecurity.
Digital literacy also includes understanding online safety, managing screen time, and critically evaluating the content they consume. When girls control how they interact with technology, it becomes a resource for learning, self expression, and growth.
The Importance of Guidance and Support
Parents, teachers, and mentors play a critical role in shaping girls’ digital experiences. Open conversations about online challenges, encouragement to pursue STEM skills, and support for creative projects help mitigate the negative effects of social media and excessive screen time.
Communities can also provide access to safe online spaces, workshops on mental health, and digital skills programs. These interventions ensure that girls gain the benefits of technology while protecting their wellbeing.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Access remains unequal. Girls in rural areas often lack reliable internet, devices, or safe spaces for digital learning. Bridging this digital divide is not just about infrastructure but also about education, mentorship, and equitable opportunities.
Investing in digital access for girls ensures that they can learn about health, wellness, and self care, acquire employable skills, and connect with role models around the world.
Conclusion
Technology has the power to heal and the power to harm. For adolescent girls, the difference lies in guidance, education, and support.
When girls learn to use technology wisely, they gain knowledge about health, nutrition, and mental wellbeing. They gain confidence, creativity, and opportunities to shape their future.
Adaeze is now part of a local digital club where girls learn coding, app development, and online safety. She says, “I feel like I am creating my own path, not just scrolling through someone else’s.”
Empowering girls in the digital world is more than teaching skills. It is about safeguarding their health, boosting self esteem, and opening doors to opportunities that can transform lives. When technology is a tool for empowerment, girls thrive.