Digital Phenotyping for Problematic Technology Use: A Systematic Literature Review and Taxonomy

Abstract Purpose of Review The growing pervasiveness of digital technologies has intensified research on problematic technology use (PTU), including excessive engagement with smartphones, social media, gaming, and other digital platforms. Digital phenotyping has emerged as a promising approach to passively capture and analyze behavioral and psychological data through interactions with digital devices. However, the conceptual and methodological links between digital phenotyping and PTU remain fragmented. This systematic literature review aims to examine how digital phenotyping has been applied to investigate, assess, or mitigate PTU and to synthesize emerging methodological patterns and theoretical gaps in this field. Recent Findings Following the PRISMA protocol, peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and July 2025 were retrieved from ten scientific databases. After screening and quality appraisal using a six-item checklist, 52 studies were included. The findings indicate that most research relies on smartphone-based data and prioritizes behavioral monitoring over psychological modeling. Considerable heterogeneity in data collection procedures, feature engineering, and theoretical grounding was identified, limiting cross-study comparability and conceptual integration. Four taxonomies were derived from the analysis: (i) digital phenotyping methods, (ii) digital biomarkers associated with PTU, (iii) machine learning algorithms, and (iv) methodological and validation challenges in constructing digital phenotypes for PTU. Summary This review provides an integrative framework that connects passively sensed digital behavioral markers with addiction-related constructs. This review establishes the first structured taxonomy of digital phenotyping for PTU, clarifies digital biomarkers in relation to addiction constructs, and delineates a research agenda to move the field from detection toward validated intervention and ethical deployment.