Editorial: Mindfulness and resilience in the digital age: addressing cyberattacks and enhancing mental health and performance among adults

In today's digital era, the integration of social media and digital platforms has become an essential component of adult life (Khan et al., 2021). While the rapid adoption of digital tools has revolutionized communication, education, entertainment, and personal development (Hui et al., n.d.), it has also increased individuals' exposure to cyberattacks, cyberbullying, and various psychological threats (Alismaiel, 2023).. This special issue explores how psychological well-being is influenced by digital threats and considers the protective role of mindfulness and resilience.Modern adults-especially university students and working professionals-face heightened psychological stress due to their dependence on digital media (Halliburton et al., 2021). . Despite the numerous benefits of digital connectivity, these platforms have become channels for harmful practices such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and digital harassment. Such experiences contribute to increased psychological distress, diminished academic or professional performance, and reduced overall life satisfaction. This issue compiles multidisciplinary empirical research to better understand and counteract the harmful effects of digital engagement through psychological strengths like mindfulness and resilience. The collection of articles presented in this special issue elucidates the complex and bidirectional relationships among psychological resilience, mental well-being, and digital interactions. The research identifies resilience and mindfulness as potentially efficacious protective factors against psychological distress emanating from digital environments. There is a pressing imperative for future empirical investigations and scholarly discourse focused on the development and empirical validation of targeted interventional strategies to address these multifaceted and evolving challenges. This comprehensive body of literature demonstrates the dual nature of technological engagement on adult psychological well-being, underscoring the critical importance of fostering adaptive capabilities to effectively manage digital vulnerabilities, including cybersecurity threats.Future research endeavors should employ diverse methodological approaches, incorporating both qualitative investigations and experimental paradigms, to enhance our understanding of digital mental health across developmental stages. Given the expanding trajectory of global digital interconnectedness, equipping individuals with robust psychological mechanisms to navigate digital adversity has transcended mere preference to become an essential imperative for contemporary society.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.