Phenomena of the digital environment: psychological analysis

Abstract

The article is devoted to the psychological analysis of key phenomena of the digital environment. The aim of the study is to systematize the results of contemporary research describing the phenomena of the digital environment (phenomena that arise or are transformed under the influence of digital technologies and the Internet), as well as to identify and conceptualize new or transformed phenomena.

The study was conducted in the format of a review using content analysis of contemporary scientific publications, including those indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Five key phenomena were identified: digital engagement, digital stress, digital boundaries, digital identity, and digital creativity. The results of the psychological analysis revealed that digital engagement is associated with the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, emotional well-being, and patterns of digital behavior. The synthesis of the reviewed studies suggests that digital identity and digital inclusion are interrelated but analytically distinguishable phenomena. Digital identity reflects internal psychological processes of constructing the self-image in the digital space, whereas digital inclusion determines the structural conditions and opportunities for individuals’ participation in the digital environment. Their interaction forms the basis of human psychological functioning in the digital society and shapes patterns of digital behavior, emotional well-being, and social activity.

Overall, the digital environment is considered a multidimensional socio-technical ecosystem formed by the interaction of technological affordances, individual characteristics, and sociocultural factors.