Adolescence is a formative period marked by the intensity of early romantic experiences and the feeling of love for the first time. Today’s emerging technologies—including social media, virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI)—have fundamentally transformed how adolescents connect, communicate, and form romantic relationships. Grounded in developmental theory, I will discuss how these technologies can both foster positive connection and expose adolescents to new forms of relational risk, including digital dating abuse. I will also highlight how digital relationship experiences predict adolescents’ future mental health and relational development. Finally, I will consider implications for policy and the design of youth-centred technologies that support healthy relationships and connection in the digital age.

Dr. Ha is a developmental psychologist and director of the @HEART Lab (Healthy Experiences Across Relationships and Transitions Lab). Her research explores how emerging technologies (social media, AI, and VR) impact adolescent romantic relationships at a time when love is at its most pure and vulnerable, yet profoundly formative in defining lifelong love, relationship patterns, and mental health. By examining how young people navigate partner choices, relationship dynamics, and breakups within their broader social world, including peers, caregivers, and educators, Dr. Ha identifies key risk and resilience factors that influence mental health. Her work provides critical insights for designing tech-driven solutions, policies, and interventions that foster healthy relationships that flourish in both digital and physical spaces.