Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Digital technology use during Covid ‐19 pandemic

A rapid review

Bibliographic Data

ID21253935
AuthorsDeedra Vargo (Albany State University), Lin Zhu (0000-0001-5298-7431, Albany State University), Briana Benwell (0000-0003-1657-8846, Albany State University), Zheng Yan (0009-0007-3850-6743, Albany State University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume3
Issue1
Pages13-24
Publication date2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Behavior and Emerging Technologies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2578-1863 • E-ISSN: 2578-1863
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/hbe2.242
OpenAlexW3116699850
LanguageEN
Citations received92
References cited21

The relationship between humans and digital technologies has been documented extensively in the past decades, but has yet to be reviewed through the lens of the current global pandemic crisis. This review synthesizes the rapidly growing literature on digital technology use during the current COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses the following four topics: (1) the specific digital technologies that have been used, (2) the specific populations who have used these digital technologies, (3) the specific activities that individuals and groups have used these digital technologies, and (4) the specific effects of using these digital technologies on humans during the pandemic. The 281 empirical articles we have identified suggest that (1) 28 various forms of technologies have been used, ranging from computers to artificial intelligence, (2) 8 different populations of users are using these technologies, primarily medical professionals, (3) 32 generalized types of activities are involved, including providing health services remotely, analyzing data, and communicating, and (4) 35 various effects have been observed, such as improved patient outcomes, continued education, and decreased outbreak impact. Through this rapid review, we sketched an expansive, multilevel model of the current knowledge of how humans are using technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Major findings and future directions are discussed

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Data science · Emerging technologies · Expansive · Outbreak · Pandemic · Computer Science · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Artificial Intelligence · Virology

  • Children’s Privacy in Lockdown

    Open Access•Lisa Archbold, Valerie Verdoodt et al.•Law Technology and Humans•2021

  • Work-related stress of companies' directors during the first lockdown due to the Covid-19

    Open Access•Frédéric Dutheil, Carole Jeanton et al.•Frontiers in Psychiatry•2022

  • Navigating Research Challenges

    Open Access•Katherine Matos-Jiménez, Natalie Álamo-Rodríguez et al.•International Journal of…•2025

  • Managerial Responses to the Onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Healthcare Organizations Project Management

    Open Access•Ariadna Bednarz, Marta Borkowska-Bierć et al.•International Journal of…•2021

  • Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

    Open Access•Dongmin Ma, Huma Akram et al.•The International Review of…•2024

  • Mazephishing

    Open Access•Kristjan Kikerpill, Andra Siibak•Trames Journal of the Humanities…•2021

  • Analítica da aprendizagem aplicada à formação do pedagogo a distância na área da Gestão Escolar

    Open Access•Marluce Torquato Lima Gonçalves, João Batista Carvalho Nunes•Revista da FAEEBA- Educação e…•2022

  • Smartphone addiction prevalence, patterns of use, and experienced musculoskeletal discomfort during the Covid-19 pandemic in a general Iranian population

    Open Access•Hamid Reza Mokhtarinia, Maryam Heydari Torkamani et al.•BMC Public Health•2024

  • Fostering Mental-Wellbeing and Health Behavior through Online learning Measures and Cyber Resilience

    Emine Seda KOÇ•American Journal of Health Behavior•2024

  • Words and visions around/about Chinese transnational mobilities 流动

    Open Access•Valentina Pedone, M Castorina•Words and visions around/about…•2023

  • Academic Integrity considerations of AI Large Language Models in the post-pandemic era

    Open Access•Mike Perkins•Journal of University Teaching…•2023

  • Evolving Technology Use and Embeded Security Practices Among Finnish Adolescents

    Open Access•Ammar Farooq, Naurin Farooq Khan et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2026

  • Effect of Teleworking on Working Conditions of Workers

    Open Access•Moses Segbenya, Edna Naa Amerley Okorley et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2022

  • An Episodic Process Model of After-Hour ICT-Related Interruptions at Home

    Open Access•Angela R Grotto, Zheng Yan•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2022

  • Service Delivery and Branding Management in Digital Platforms

    Open Access•Mohammadbashir Sedighi, Adnan Sheikh et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2022

  • Integrating Digital Technology Into Marathon Race With a Technology‐Driven Service Design Approach to Enhance Marathoner Experiences

    Open Access•Sawitree Phua, Atthaves Borriraklert et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2024

  • Comparing Nonresponders and Responders of Online Intercept Surveys

    Open Access•Lenka Knapova, David Smahel et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2022

  • Asad

    Open Access•Felipe Sheward, Daniela M Romano et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2022

  • Predicting Antecedents of Employee Smart Work Adoption Using SEM-Multilayer Perceptron Approach

    Open Access•Wen-Bao WANG, Wenbao Wang et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2023

  • Comparison of Written and Spoken Instruction to Foster Coordination between Diagram and Equation in Undergraduate Physics Education

    Open Access•Verena Ruf, Stefan Küchemann et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2022

  • New normal” at work in a post-Covid world

    Open Access•Lina Vyas•Policy and Society•2022

  • Parent–Child Relationships, Digital Media Use and Parents’ Well-Being during Covid-19 Home Confinement

    Open Access•Marina Everri, Mattia Messena et al.•International Journal of…•2022

  • Covid-19 Related Shifts in Social Interaction, Connection, and Cohesion Impact Psychosocial Health

    Open Access•Amaya Perez-Brumer, Rebecca Balasa et al.•International Journal of…•2022

  • Nurses’ Experiences of Care in Portuguese Nursing Homes during the Covid-19 Pandemic

    Open Access•Helga Rafael Henriques, Tiago Nascimento et al.•International Journal of…•2023

  • Investigating the Relationships between Covid-19 Quality of Life, Loneliness, Happiness, and Internet Addiction among K-12 Teachers and School Administrators—A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

    Open Access•Turgut Karaköse, Tuncay Yavuz Özdemir et al.•International Journal of…•2022

  • Perinatal intimate partner violence in Quebec during the Covid-19 pandemic

    Open Access•David Jean Simon, Geneviève Lessard et al.•BMC Public Health•2025

  • Smartphone-Based Cancer and Obesity Prevention Education Program for Chinese Women (SCOPE)

    Open Access•Jyu-Lin Chen, Jyu‐Lin Chen et al.•International Journal of…•2023

  • Positive and negative aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic among a diverse sample of US adults

    Open Access•Stephanie A Ponce, Stephanie Ponce et al.•BMC Public Health•2024

  • Navigating Digital Geographies and Trauma Contexts

    Open Access•R M Schmitz, J Tabler et al.•International Journal of…•2025

  • A framework for information technology-based management against Covid-19 in Iran

    Open Access•Afsoon Asadzadeh, Zeinab Mohammadzadeh et al.•BMC Public Health•2022

  • Challenging “The Hands of Technology”

    Open Access•Joan Moyà-Köhler, Miguel Domenech I Argemí•International Journal of…•2022

  • How technology is transforming innovative education and providing solutions during a pandemic disruption

    Open Access•Herman Sjahruddin, Irma Rachmawati Maruf et al.•International Journal of Health…•2022

  • On the triple exclusion of older adults during Covid-19

    Open Access•Amber Zapletal, Tabytha Wells et al.•Social Sciences & Humanities Open•2023

  • Transitioning to active learning in veterinary medical education

    Open Access•Rohini Roopnarine, Kinda Francis et al.•Frontiers in Education•2026

  • Finding alternative community-based learning delivery for parenting skills during Covid-19 for mothers with children aged 0–3 Years

    Open Access•Weny Savitry S Pandia, Christiany Suwartono et al.•Frontiers in Education•2024

  • Crossroads

    Open Access•Peter Tiernan, Neil Kenny et al.•Education Sciences•2023

  • Game Changing

    Open Access•Adrienne Baldwin‐white, Reem Shawkat•Education Sciences•2025

  • Examining effects of students’ innovative behaviour and problem-solving skills on crisis management self-efficacy

    Open Access•Nguyen Nhu Ngoc, Ngoc N Nguyen et al.•Policy Futures in Education•2024

  • Public health measures and the rise of incidental surveillance

    Open Access•Bart A Kamphorst, Adam Henschke•Ethics and Information Technology•2023

  • Meet me in VR! Can VR space help remote teams connect

    Open Access•Katarzyna Abramczuk, Zbigniew Bohdanowicz et al.•International Journal of…•2023

  • The use of avatars

    Paul Irwin, Maree Crepinsek et al.•Interactive Learning Environments•2024

  • Workplace nomophobia

    Open Access•Hassan Hessari, Fatemeh Daneshmandi et al.•Current Psychology•2024

  • Evaluating schizotypy and alcohol usage as predictors of increased engagement in risky sexual behaviors in an undergraduate sample

    Open Access•Megan Cartier, Megan L Cartier et al.•Current Psychology•2023

  • Digitalization and ICT in Social Work Education

    Ishita Kapur, Caroline N Sharkey et al.•Journal of Social Work Education•2025

  • Digitale Zukünfte der Universität

    Open Access•Brigitte Wieser, Bernhard Wieser et al.•Österreichische Zeitschrift für…•2022

  • Native, addict, innovator

    Open Access•Nazir Ahmed Jogezai, Fozia Ahmed Baloch•International Journal of…•2023

  • For whom does online social support matter most? Exploring the joint moderating roles of depressive symptoms and physical functioning in the relationship between online social support and quality of life

    Open Access•Juwon Hwang•Computers in Human Behavior•2026

  • Online spiritual meets (OSMs) and user behavior – A divine application of technology during Covid-19

    Open Access•Rupinder Katoch, Avinash Rana et al.•Computers in Human Behavior•2023

  • “Jack of all trades”? Exploring the dual role of the subject teaching guidance counsellor in Irish schools

    Petra Elftorp, Edel Murphy et al.•British Journal of Guidance and…•2026

  • TV and the Covid-19 Pandemic

    Aimee Viljoen•Communicatio•2023

  • Evaluating technology engagement in the time of Covid-19

    Silvia Serino, Andrea Bonanomi et al.•Behaviour and Information…•2024

  • Geographies of new ways of working

    Open Access•Grzegorz Micek, Carles Méndez‐ortega et al.•Applied Geography•2025

  • Semio Em Jogo ®

    Open Access•Lucas David Maia Matias, Maria Nielly Santos Celestino et al.•Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem•2023

  • Semio Em Jogo®

    Open Access•Lucas David Maia Matias, Maria Nielly Santos Celestino et al.•Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem•2023

  • Confrontation-coping

    Open Access•Huda Khan, Zaheer Khan et al.•Technological Forecasting and…•2023

  • Parents’ use of digital technology for social connection during the Covid‐19 pandemic

    Open Access•Rebecca Nowland, Lara McNally et al.•Scandinavian Journal of Psychology•2024

  • The impact of Covid-19 on education equity

    Open Access•Stacey N J Blackman•Prospects•2022

  • Exploring the use of mobile-device-based audio diaries for asynchronous data collection with nurses during a pandemic

    Open Access•E A Marshall, Harriet Okatch et al.•SSM - Qualitative Research in…•2025

  • How humans behave with emerging technologies during the Covid ‐19 pandemic

    Open Access•Zheng Yan, Rui Gaspar et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2021

  • Did zoom bomb? Negative video conferencing meetings during Covid ‐19 undermined worker subjective productivity

    Open Access•Karynna Okabe‐Miyamoto, Eric Durnell et al.•Human Behavior and Emerging…•2021

  • The CBD will survive

    Open Access•Akshay Vij, Ali Ardeshiri et al.•Environment and Planning A…•2026

  • Effect of digital gap on virtual care in the time of Covid-19 pandemic

    Yi‐Chun Chou, Ho-Hsien Pan•Asia Pacific Journal of Social…•2023

  • Digital literacy and social capital during Covid-19

    Hyun Lee, Eunjin Lee et al.•Asia Pacific Journal of Social…•2023

  • Institutional roles in enhancing assets adaptation of urban poor

    Open Access•Fatima Eshun, Frank Denton•Urban Governance•2022

  • Trust and technology

    Open Access•Abroon Qazi, Fazeelat Aziz•Humanities and Social Sciences…•2026

  • Pandemics and the built environment

    Open Access•Stacy Vallis, Andy Karvonen et al.•Buildings and Cities•2023

  • An Empirical Exploration of Volunteer Management Theory and Practice

    Open Access•Gareth Power, Olesya Nedvetskaya•Frontiers in Sports and Active…•2022

  • Technology Adoption in Liquid Modernity

    Open Access•David Alonso González, Andrés Arias Astray et al.•Societies•2026

  • Online focus groups as a tool to study policy professionals

    Open Access•Joost Berkhout, Michele Crepaz et al.•Research & Politics•2023

  • Factors Associated with Children’s Subjective Wellbeing During Covid-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh

    Open Access•Haridhan Goswami, Gour Gobinda Goswami et al.•Child Indicators Research•2023

  • Urban exodus? Understanding human mobility in Britain during the Covid‐19 pandemic using Meta‐Facebook data

    Open Access•Francisco Rowe, Alessia Calafiore et al.•Population Space and Place•2022

  • Digital technologies and rural community resilience

    Open Access•Fikri Zul Fahmi, Medina Savira•Rural Society•2025

  • Digital technologies and rural community resilience

    Open Access•Fikri Zul Fahmi, Medina Savira•Rural Society•2025

  • Multiple narratives in museum theme-based exhibitions

    Zhiqiang Yang, Yang Zhi-qiang et al.•Cultural Trends•2025

  • The potency of culture, technology, and context in a biology classroom

    Umar A Adam, Soladoye N Lameed et al.•International Journal of Science…•2024

  • Social Work Students Explore the Grand Challenge of Technology with Field Educators

    Kelly Lynn Clary, Erica E Nason et al.•Journal of Teaching in Social Work•2023

  • Using Routine Activity Theory to Predict Technology- Facilitated Violence Among U.S. Adults During Covid-19

    Open Access•Nina Dours, Asia A Eaton•Violence Against Women•2025

  • Household Ecology and Recovery Among Young Adults

    Open Access•Xian Zhao, Soo Min Toh et al.•Journal of Community & Applied…•2025

  • Progetto e abitare tra monoscalarità e transcalarità. Riflessioni a margine di una crisi pandemica

    Leonardo Chiesi, Paolo Costa•SOCIOLOGIA URBANA E RURALE•2022

  • Exploring the link between cyberloafing and work-related factors

    Open Access•Osman Uslu•Technology in Society•2025

  • Expansion of Digital Technology Use in the Korean Social Work Field

    Junghee Bae, Sunwoo Lee et al.•Journal of Social Service Research•2024

  • The role of ergonomics in enhancing work motivation and performance of virtual assistants in e-commerce

    Open Access•Ma Janice J Gumasing, Jazmin Tangsoc et al.•Acta Psychologica•2025

  • Promises and pitfalls of digital knowledge exchange resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic

    Open Access•Vivian M Nguyen, Christina Bell et al.•Socio-Ecological Practice Research•2021

  • Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Violence During the First Year of the Pandemic

    Open Access•Ana Cunha, Marcelo Gonçalves et al.•Trauma Violence & Abuse•2025

  • The Affordances of Videoconferencing Technology for Doing Interviews With Children Online

    Open Access•P Zhao, Peiwei Li•Qualitative Inquiry•2023

  • Predicting the long-term impacts of Covid-19 on household location preferences

    Open Access•Akshay Vij, Ali Ardeshiri et al.•Regional Studies•2025

  • Mapping Pupil’s Learning Progression Using Hand Manipulatives and Touch Screen Applications

    Open Access•Gamaliel Gonzales, Ehsan Namaziandost•Education Research International•2022

  • Enacting Entanglement

    Open Access•Andrew Light, Ann Light et al.•Computer Supported Cooperative…•2024

  • Just trying to adjust to the new reality that seems to be changing every hour

    Krys Standley, Genna M Mashinchi et al.•Community Development•2023

  • Nimble-footed Zimbabwean migrants

    Mutsawashe Mutendi, T Chekero•Anthropology Southern Africa•2023

  • Using co-designed smartphone apps to cultivate authentic communication and disaster risk resilience in multi-cultural communities

    Open Access•Natalie Krikowa, Kate Delmo et al.•Media International Australia•2024

  • New pathways to crisis resilience

    Open Access•Amber Marshall, Carrie-Ann Wilson et al.•Media International Australia•2023

  • Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences

    Mark Petticrew, Helen Roberts•Systematic Reviews in the Social…•2006

  • Teleworking in the Context of the Covid-19 Crisis

    Open Access•Ángel Belzunegui-Eraso, Amaya Erro-Garcés•Sustainability•2020

  • Digital technologies in the public-health response to Covid-19

    Open Access•Jobie Budd, Benjamin S Miller et al.•Nature Medicine•2020

  • Geographical tracking and mapping of coronavirus disease Covid-19/severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Sars-CoV-2) epidemic and associated events around the world

    Open Access•Maged N Kamel Boulos, Estella M Geraghty•International Journal of Health…•2020

  • Response to Covid-19 in Taiwan

    C Jason Wang, Chun Y Ng et al.•JAMA•2020

  • Virtually Perfect? Telemedicine for Covid-19

    Judd E Hollander, Brendan G Carr•New England Journal of Medicine•2020

  • Telehealth transformation

    Open Access•Jedrek Wosik, Marat Fudim et al.•Journal of the American Medical…•2020

  • Covid-19 and Health Care’s Digital Revolution

    Sirina Keesara, Andrea Jonas et al.•New England Journal of Medicine•2020

  • An interactive web-based dashboard to track Covid-19 in real time

    Open Access•Erdan Dong, Ensheng Dong et al.•The Lancet Infectious Diseases•2020

Unique citing works92
Citations per year18,4
Citation span2021 - 2026 (6)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 85
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae