Digital resilience among children born after 2010 a systematic review of Generation Alpha research

The rapid digitalization of childhood, particularly among Generation Alpha (children born after 2010), has created new opportunities alongside heightened exposure to online risks. Digital resilience the ability to recognize, manage, and recover from online adversities is essential for promoting safe and positive digital engagement during early development. This review synthesizes empirical research on digital resilience in Generation Alpha, focusing on its conceptualization, influencing factors, interventions, and outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, five major databases were systematically searched for studies published between 2010 and 2025 involving children aged 12 years or younger. Included studies comprised empirical, review, and intervention designs, with quality assessed using AMSTAR 2 and JBI tools. Findings indicate that digital resilience is a multi-layered socio-ecological construct shaped by individual competencies, parental mediation, and digital environments. Interventions, particularly school- and parent-based programs, demonstrated short-term improvements in digital skills and coping strategies, while higher resilience was associated with reduced online risks and better mental health outcomes. However, inconsistent measurement and limited longitudinal evidence remain significant challenges. Developing digital resilience requires multi-level, culturally sensitive approaches and more robust future research designs.