Authors : Ajay Sanehi; Mukesh Kumar

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/ycy67xwf

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/b9c2eehr

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb1120

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : The proliferation of digital technologies has reshaped adolescents’ learning ecologies, positioning digital engagement as a critical dimension of educational participation and equity. This study examines internet usage patterns among senior secondary school adolescents, with particular attention to gender-based disparities in digital engagement. Employing a quantitative descriptive survey design, data were collected from a sample of 304 students enrolled in government and private secondary schools. Internet usage was assessed using the Internet Usage Scale developed by Saini and Kaur (2017). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) to determine overall engagement levels and independent samples t-tests to examine gender differences. Results indicated moderate to high levels of digital engagement among adolescents, underscoring the pervasive integration of internet-based resources into academic, communicative and recreational domains. However, statistically significant gender differences emerged in patterns and intensity of usage, suggesting that digital engagement is not uniformly experienced. The findings point toward the persistence of gendered digital practices shaped by broader socio-cultural and institutional contexts. By moving beyond access-based conceptions of the digital divide, this study highlighted qualitative differences in participation that carry implications for educational equity. The results further contribute to ongoing debates on digital inclusion by foregrounding gender as a critical determinant of adolescent digital engagement. Implications are discussed for policy and practice aimed at fostering equitable and meaningful digital participation in secondary education.

Keywords : Digital Engagement; Adolescents; Gender Disparities; Digital Divide; Educational Equity.

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