Poles don’t take good care of digital hygiene. This study confirms it

At the end of last year, the Digital Citizenship Institute, together with the Orange Foundation, conducted the first study on digital hygiene in Poland. The results are not optimistic.

Nationwide study

In Poland, around 88.4% of the population use the Internet every day. With the development of this technology, smartphones and social media, not only new opportunities arise, but also new threats. In addition to terms such as hate or cybercrime, the topic of digital hygiene is also discussed. what is it exactly

One of the simpler explanations is digital hygiene “a set of activities and attitudes designed to ensure safe use of electronic devices and modern technologies in a way that does not endanger our life and health. Digital hygiene also includes issues related to our bodies and in particular the attitudes we adopt when using electronic devices and connecting to the network.

In November 2022, the Digital Citizenship Institute and the Orange Foundation conducted the National Digital Hygiene Survey on a representative group of adult internet users in Poland. The study focuses on four areas related to the topic:

• set limits and control the use of screen devices,
• safe use of the internet,
• Creating and receiving information on the Internet,
• other recommended health-related behaviors related to the use of the screen (sleep, traffic).

The report’s findings are available on the official website dedicated to the study. In summary – it is not good. It turns out that only 14.3% of adults control their screen time, 9.3% of respondents avoid using electronic devices before bed, and three-quarters of respondents have a display device with them when they eat.

Digital hygiene test

We wanted to draw attention to the fact that incompetent use of the internet and screens is now a societal problem that affects all age groups and not just children and young people, as is commonly believed.

To diagnose adults’ state of digital hygiene, we created a new research and education tool, the Digital Hygiene Self-Assessment Questionnaire, designed to provide the individual who completes it with insights into positive, desirable behaviors in this wins area.
Magdalena Bigaj, President of the Digital Citizenship Institute, originator and co-author of the study

If you are unsure about your digital hygiene, you can use the test prepared by the organizers of the study. Through this you will check if you protect your health well enough when using a smartphone or tablet and learn the right habits that can be applied in life.

The test is available for free on the test page. It’s worth spending a moment on – who knows, maybe after completion you’ll take action that will make your lifestyle healthier.

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