The scale consists of 17 questions covering four main areas: digital safety, managing content and information, setting boundaries and controlling technology use, and other behaviours that support health while using technology.
The researchers say digital hygiene is about more than screen time. It also concerns how consciously people use digital technology, the boundaries they set and how technology use affects other activities and health-related behaviours.
The scale was developed by experts from the University of Warsaw, the Medical University of Warsaw, Korczak University in the Polish capital and the Academy of Humanities in the central city of Łódź.
"What matters is what we do on screen, how long we do it and how consciously, as well as what activities accompany it and what we give up as a result," said Magdalena Woynarowska of the Medical University of Warsaw's Faculty of Health Sciences.
The researchers hope the tool can be used in scientific research and practical applications, including population studies, tracking changes over time and evaluating educational programmes.
The scale was tested on a sample of 1,000 people, with researchers assessing its reliability, validity and stability over time.
The study has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, an international academic journal focusing on digital health.
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Source: PAP, polskieradio.pl