Author Name: Mr. Tarun Panda, Dr. Sundeep Katevarapu & Aarzoo Date: 25-03-2026
The rapid proliferation of digital media technologies has reshaped the psychological landscape of Indian youth, simultaneously opening new avenues for cultural expression and posing significant threats to mental well-being. This paper examines the relationship between Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)-particularly those embedded within the Indian philosophical, communicative, and ecological traditions-and youth mental health outcomes in the context of contemporary digital media engagement. Drawing on the IKS-Digital Well-Being Integration Model (IDWIM) developed for this study, the paper argues that the erosion of IKS-grounded communicative practices among youth, coupled with uncritical absorption of digital media content, contributes to psychological distress, identity fragmentation, and diminished community cohesion. Conversely, intentional reintegration of IKS values-such as those found in the concepts of dharma (righteous conduct), satya (truthfulness), ahimsa (nonviolence), and swadhyaya (self-study)-into digital media literacy frameworks can serve as a protective mechanism for youth well-being. The study employs a mixed-methods design, incorporating a systematic literature review of 85 peer-reviewed sources, semi-structured interviews with 40 educators and youth workers across six Indian states, and a thematic analysis of IKS texts including the Upanishads, Arthashastra, and Charaka Samhita. Findings reveal a significant disconnect between IKS-informed communicative values and prevailing digital media narratives consumed by Indian youth, contributing to elevated anxiety, loneliness, and reduced life satisfaction. The paper concludes with evidence-based recommendations for integrating IKS principles into digital media education, institutional policy, and psychological intervention frameworks, offering a culturally grounded pathway toward youth well-being in the digital age.
Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge Systems, digital media, youth mental health, well-being, Indian philosophy, media literacy, dharma
