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Life sciences · Journal article
Frontiers in Public Health · September 23, 2026
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The rapid development of digital technologies and widespread Internet access have transformed modern societies, creating new opportunities alongside emerging public health challenges. Digital risks, including problematic Internet and social media use, gaming disorder and problematic gaming, cyberbullying, online sexual risks, online gambling, and cybersecurity threats, may adversely affect psychological wellbeing, social functioning, and quality of life, particularly among vulnerable populations. This narrative review examined selected digital risks and their implications for promoting digital hygiene within public health prevention frameworks. A total of 64 publications published between 2012 and 2026 were included. Relevant literature was identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, supplemented by reference-list searching and selected reports from international and European institutions. Literature was selected purposively, with priority given to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, epidemiological studies, and relevant conceptual and theoretical publications. The evidence was synthesized narratively and thematically, focusing on epidemiology, vulnerable populations, digital risks, risk and protective factors, and public health prevention and policy. The review focused on children and adolescents, older adults, individuals with mental health conditions, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. The findings indicate that digital risks arise from complex interactions among individual, interpersonal, digital-environmental, and structural factors. Effective prevention therefore requires a multidimensional, socio-ecological approach integrating digital and health literacy, self-regulation, family- and school-based prevention, community support, safer digital environments, and appropriate policy measures. Digital hygiene should be considered an emerging component of public health practice, with further research needed to develop and evaluate population-specific, multilevel interventions.