Digital Addiction and Human Behavior: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Digital addiction has emerged as a critical public health concern globally, characterized by compulsive and excessive use of digital devices and platforms that leads to significant impairment in various aspects of human functioning. This comprehensive review synthesizes current research on digital addiction, exploring its conceptual framework, neurobiological underpinnings, epidemiology, psychological impacts, and intervention strategies. Highlighting the parallels between digital addiction and substance use disorders, the review discusses brain reward system dysfunctions, autonomic nervous system involvement, and behavioral patterns that maintain addictive use. This article examines the global prevalence, with smartphone addiction being the most widespread subtype, and identifies key risk factors including age, gender, and socioeconomic conditions. Mental health consequences such as depression, anxiety, and social impairments are outlined, along with the challenges in assessment and diagnosis due to the essential role of technology in daily life. Evidence-based treatments including cognitive-behavioral therapy and digital detox interventions are evaluated, alongside emerging digital and pharmacological approaches. Finally, the review highlights evolving concerns related to artificial intelligence, metaverse technologies, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s legacy effects on digital behaviors. The paper underscores the need for integrated clinical and public health approaches to foster balanced technology use and improve human wellbeing amid the digital era.