Digital technology and mental health in Italy

Research indicates growing concerns regarding digital technology usage and its impact on mental health in Italy. An initial study by Factanza Media and Ipsos Doxa found that 94% of individuals aged 18 to 45 expressed a desire to reduce digital exposure, citing digital fatigue and fragmented attention caused by social media.

Subsequent reporting by Eurispes expanded on these findings, noting that 65.8% of Italians view their relationship with digital tools as problematic. While smartphone penetration has reached 94.3% across all age groups, symptoms of ‘technostress’ are widespread. For example, 83.9% of respondents reported using smartphones longer than intended, and 65.3% experience anxiety when their battery is low. Compulsive behaviors are particularly high among the youth, with 86% of 18-24-year-olds checking their phones immediately upon waking.

The situation also reveals a generational divide: while younger populations struggle with excessive screen time, older citizens face challenges with digital literacy and security, with 67.3% of those over 64 rating their digital skills negatively. Additionally, less than half of the total population feels confident in recognizing online scams.

Recent data further highlights the impact of digital tools on the workforce. Approximately 48.2% of respondents engage in intensive digital professional activities, leading to a blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. Roughly 77.3% of workers check professional messages outside of working hours, and 68.1% respond to work communications even during vacations. This constant connectivity has resulted in significant mental strain, with 68.6% of respondents reporting symptoms of stress or fatigue linked to professional technology use in the six months preceding the survey.