Introduction

The ubiquitous integration of digital technologies has reshaped human interactions, communication patterns, and social dynamics. This transformation has brought with it new forms of behavior, including those that, by their nature or intensity, can be considered problematic. Problematic behaviors in the digital environment encompass a diverse range of phenomena, from excessive platform use to exposure to harmful content or participation in risky interactions. Rapid technological evolution and the constant emergence of new applications and devices complicate the understanding and management of these behaviors (Gohel, 2022).

Research on problematic behaviors in digital environments has intensified, seeking to identify their manifestations, predisposing factors, and consequences. There is a growing concern about the impact on mental health and psychosocial well-being, especially in vulnerable populations such as adolescents and young adults. Understanding these phenomena requires a multifactorial analysis that considers individual, contextual, and technological elements (Paulus et al., 2022)(Geng et al., 2023).

This article examines recent innovations in the digital sphere and their corresponding influence on the emergence and increasing complexity of problematic behaviors, as well as the associated challenges and risks. It will delve into the evolution of digital environments, the classification of risk behaviors, and the implications for mental health, concluding with a review of emerging strategies for prevention and intervention.

Digital Innovations and the Transformation of Problematic Behaviors

The digital sphere is constantly changing, with innovations continually redefining the possibilities for interaction and access to information. While these transformations offer significant benefits, they also alter the nature and prevalence of problematic behaviors. The interplay between the intrinsic characteristics of digital platforms and individual predispositions creates a complex environment for the manifestation of risks.

Evolution of Digital Environments and New Platforms

Technological development has led to the emergence of increasingly immersive and interactive platforms. From traditional social networks to emerging metaverses and generative artificial intelligence, each innovation introduces new interfaces and functionalities that can influence user behavior. The widespread adoption of these tools implies greater exposure to potentially problematic scenarios. The notion of socio-digital vulnerability, for example, describes the susceptibility of individuals and groups to decisional, social, or constitutive interference within these mediated environments (Calo, 2024).

Today’s apps and services are designed to maximize user engagement and time spent on the platform, employing sophisticated personalization and reward algorithms. These mechanisms can intensify usage patterns that, in certain contexts, lead to problematic consumption. The proliferation of these environments demands a constant reevaluation of digital security and well-being frameworks.

Changes in Usage Patterns and Risk Emergencies

The frequency and type of digital use have undergone substantial changes. A considerable number of users engage in activities such as messaging, online gaming, and social media from an early age (Morgan et al., 2021). During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in problematic video game and social media use was observed, with a prevalence of problematic internet use (PITU) of 43.69% among adolescents aged 12 to 17 in a German study (Paulus et al., 2022). This increase is associated with greater time spent using digital media and a heightened intensity of negative emotions during this period (Paulus et al., 2022).

Emerging risks include online victimization, exposure to sexually explicit content, provocative social media profiles, and online sexual solicitations, which can precede risky in-person encounters (Noll et al., 2013). Furthermore, participation in activities such as betting, online gambling, and intensive use of forums and dating sites is linked to a higher risk of experiencing negative consequences such as fraud or harassment (Gainsbury et al., 2018).

Individual, Social, and Platform Factors

Problematic digital behaviors do not arise in isolation but are the result of the interaction of multiple factors. At an individual level, emotional dysfunction is identified as a risk factor for problematic internet use, especially in adolescents with difficulties regulating unpleasant emotions (Paulus et al., 2022). Furthermore, resilience shows an inverse relationship with problematic internet use (Hidalgo-Fuentes et al., 2023).

Social and family factors also exert a considerable influence. Interparental conflict and child maltreatment are linked to problematic internet use trajectories, which in turn are associated with more distant interpersonal relationships, greater mental health difficulties, and lower academic performance (Geng et al., 2023). Parenting quality and parental supervision may moderate the associations between adolescent risk factors and online behaviors (Noll et al., 2013). However, the effectiveness of parental control software is limited (Noll et al., 2013).

The characteristics of the platforms, such as their addictive design and ease of access to risky content, also contribute to the emergence of these behaviors. Participation in social media platforms is linked not only to personality traits such as extroversion, but also to underlying motivations and interest in specific topics (Bronstein et al., 2016).

Current Digital Challenges: Classification and Complexity

Identifying and categorizing digital challenges is a crucial step in developing effective intervention strategies. The multifaceted nature of these behaviors requires a detailed classification that considers both risk behaviors and associated vulnerability factors.

Risk Behaviors in Adolescents and Young People

Adolescent and young adult populations are particularly susceptible to problematic online behaviors. Risks include a range of activities, from exposure to inappropriate content to participation in dangerous interactions. For example, experimenting with sexually explicit content and creating provocative profiles on social media increase vulnerability to online victimization (Noll et al., 2013). The prevalence of problematic internet use among young people is a cause for considerable concern, with studies showing usage patterns ranging from non-problematic to severely problematic, each associated with different risk and protective factors (Piqueras et al., 2024).

It has been observed that online time does not always correlate directly with life satisfaction in children, and that the quality of close interpersonal relationships has a more pronounced influence on their well-being (Kardefelt-Winther et al., 2020). However, excessive or passive use of digital technology can be associated with negative effects on short-term hedonic well-being, while moderate and active use can be associated with more positive effects (Dienlin & Johannes, 2020).

Classification of Problematic Situations Online

Problematic online situations can be classified into several categories, considering both the type of behavior and the consequences experienced. One study identified subgroups of negative outcomes related to hacking or identity theft, abuse or harassment, non-targeted scams, and targeted scams (Gainsbury et al., 2018). Online victimization is linked to participation in pornography, discussion forums, dating sites, and gaming (Gainsbury et al., 2018).

In the context of problematic digital media use (PDU), the diagnostic criteria for gaming disorder can be applied to other streaming platforms and services (Paschke et al., 2024). Furthermore, studies explore children’s risk perception, classifying them into different groups based on their level of caution, digital consumption habits, family protective factors, and communication patterns (Ramos-Soler et al., 2018). The predominant profile, termed “cautious,” is characterized by a high perception of risk, moderate internet use, and open communication with parents about online difficulties (Ramos-Soler et al., 2018).

The Relationship Between Offline Vulnerability and Online Risk

Vulnerability experienced in the physical environment is often transferred and amplified in the digital space. Real-life experiences of abuse, for example, are uniquely associated with high-risk online behaviors, including viewing explicit content or interacting with provocative profiles (Noll et al., 2013). Adolescent girls who have experienced abuse are more likely to engage in these behaviors, which exposes them to a greater risk of in-person encounters initiated online (Noll et al., 2013).

This link underscores the need to consider life history and personal circumstances when assessing digital risk. Externalizing behavioral problems in early childhood can also predict frequent use of online technologies such as messaging and gaming (Morgan et al., 2021). Similarly, the quality of family relationships and interparental conflict influence the development of problematic online trajectories, demonstrating a profound interconnection between offline and online contexts (Geng et al., 2023).

Impact of Innovations on Digital Challenges and Risks

Digital innovations not only create new risks, but also magnify the repercussions of problematic behaviors in various spheres of individual and collective life. Understanding this impact is fundamental to formulating appropriate and ethical responses.

Implications for Mental Health and Psychosocial Development

Problematic internet use (PUI) and digital media use (DMU) are associated with a variety of negative correlates of both mental and physical health and are linked to psychological distress and comorbid mental disorders (Hidalgo-Fuentes et al., 2023; Paschke et al., 2024). The relationship between digital addiction and depression is an active area of research, with a focus on factors such as cognitive distortion, insomnia, loneliness, and low self-esteem (Karakose et al., 2023). The Digital Addiction Scale for Adolescents (DAST) shows a negative correlation with emotional school engagement and life satisfaction, and positive correlations with school burnout, learning difficulties, and screen time (Seema et al., 2021).

Adolescents with problematic internet use patterns exhibit more distant interpersonal relationships and greater difficulties in their mental health (Geng et al., 2023). Although evidence on the relationship between online time and well-being is mixed, it is suggested that moderate use is associated with greater well-being, while excessive or very low use may be related to reduced well-being (Dienlin & Johannes, 2020).

Challenges for Prevention, Detection and Intervention

The complexity of problematic digital behaviors presents significant challenges for prevention and intervention. The speed at which platforms evolve makes it difficult to keep educational and therapeutic strategies up to date. Early detection is essential, and this requires a better understanding of risk profiles and protective factors (Piqueras et al., 2024). Treatment programs for abused adolescents, for example, should incorporate internet safety literacy (Noll et al., 2013).

Risk perception in children is presented as a relevant construct in relation to other indicators, such as parenting techniques and the amount of time children spend online (Ramos-Soler et al., 2018). The need for preventive strategies is highlighted, particularly in relation to digital addiction and depression, and research still needs to be expanded to different age cohorts and types of digital addiction (Karakose et al., 2023).

Emerging Educational, Regulatory, and Therapeutic Strategies

Addressing problematic digital behaviors requires multifaceted approaches. Educational strategies can include creating informational videos that modify viewers’ attitudes toward reducing problematic internet use (Turel et al., 2014). Promoting internet safety literacy and fostering open communication between parents and children about online difficulties are crucial (Noll et al., 2013; Ramos-Soler et al., 2018).

In the therapeutic field, interventions based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) have proven effective. For example, the Res@t Digital app is a CBT-based program for adolescents with problematic digital media use and their parents, designed to strengthen resources and reduce symptoms (Paschke et al., 2024). It is crucial to tailor treatments to account for individual differences in problematic use trajectories (Geng et al., 2023). The formulation of policies and practices to minimize online victimization also benefits from a clear understanding of the factor structure of negative online consequences (Gainsbury et al., 2018).

Conclusion

Problematic digital behaviors constitute a complex and dynamic phenomenon, intrinsically linked to technological innovations and human interactions in mediated environments. The rapid evolution of platforms and usage patterns generates a continuous spectrum of challenges and risks, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations such as adolescents and young adults. The interconnection between offline vulnerability and online risks underscores the need to address these problems from a holistic perspective, considering both individual and family factors as well as the characteristics of digital platforms.

The implications for mental health and psychosocial development are considerable, manifesting as increased emotional difficulties, deterioration of interpersonal relationships, and lower academic performance. Prevention and intervention require tailored, multifactorial strategies. This includes promoting digital literacy, fostering family communication about online risks, and developing evidence-based therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Future research should continue to explore the interaction of these elements to design more effective responses that safeguard well-being in the digital age.

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