Impact of Internet Use, Digitalisation, Devices on Mental Health

Mihaela Zăvăleanu (), Amalia Raluca Stepan (), Germina Alina Cosma () and Mihaela Tinca Udriștioiu ()
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Mihaela Zăvăleanu: University of Craiova
Amalia Raluca Stepan: University of Craiova
Germina Alina Cosma: University of Craiova
Mihaela Tinca Udriștioiu: University of Craiova, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences

A chapter in Sustainability and Social Responsibility of the Media and in the Media, 2026, pp 15-36 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Digital technology (DT), devices and Internet use are essential components of present life. These are used and will indeed find many uses in the future to facilitate many human activities. Consequently, many changes in human behaviour are expected, the most obvious and rapid being those reported after the pandemic lockdown. A question that arises is whether people are prepared or aware of the risks related to DT use, especially those in the mental health (MH) area. Studies already talk about excessive use at the wrong age for the wrong purposes. Many other possible questions and controversies will occur in the future as the human environments in the digital age will quantify the modification of human MH changes. Obtaining only the beneficial effects and advantages of using DT is not easy. Is MH safety just at the user’s personal level, or is it societal? The complexity of positive effects should be prevalent in long-term use. However, the novelty of behaviours generated by DT needs solid legal frameworks (cyber aggression, for example) that regulate these security changes to maintain, especially, the MH of users. The prophylactic component was a good strategy, as observed and confirmed in the fight against other conditions. Awareness of risks and negative effects or disadvantages remains the main way to counteract the effects on MH and, at the same time, can enhance the positive effects of DT as an integral part of our lives in the era we live and will live.

Keywords: Addiction; Algorithm; Anxiety; Apps; Artificial intelligence; Culturally appropriate; Cyberbullying; Data security; Depression; Digitalisation; Digital literacy and strategy; Digital markers of health; Digital societies; Digital strategy; Digital technology; E-patients; Ethical standards; Excessive and long-term use; Emotional intelligence; Inappropriate content; Internet addiction; Internet use; Legal framework; Learning; Gore content; Medical ethics; Mental health; Prevention; Quality of life; Risk behaviour; Screen time; Stress; Technology; Technostress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-00086-6_2

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