Navigating Diabetes Management in the Digital Era: Scoping Review of Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior

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Abstract
Background: Online health information seeking (OHIS) has become a central component of chronic disease management within an increasingly interactive, algorithm-mediated digital ecosystem. For individuals with diabetes, ongoing self-management demands create sustained needs for accessible, actionable health information. Although prior reviews have described general information-seeking behaviors, few have integrated technological evolution, multilevel determinants, and equity considerations specific to diabetes. Objective: This scoping review maps patterns of OHIS among individuals with diabetes, identifies the types of information sought, synthesizes the multilevel determinants of OHIS, and explores temporal shifts across major phases of digital health development. Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses literature search extension (PRISMA-S) reporting guidelines and was guided by the Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type framework. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase) were systematically searched for English-language empirical studies from inception to May 4, 2026. Eligible studies included empirical research investigating OHIS behaviors among individuals with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes. Data were extracted using a standardized charting form and synthesized descriptively. Determinants were organized according to the Social Ecological Model, and qualitative findings were analyzed using content analysis. Studies were stratified into 3 periods reflecting shifts in digital infrastructure: early web environments (2002-2010), expansion of social media and mobile technologies (2011-2018), and integrated digital and artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled ecosystems (2019-2025). Results: Eighty-one studies from 32 countries met the inclusion criteria. The use of digital sources diversified over time. Early studies emphasized search engines and institutional websites, whereas later studies increasingly reported engagement with social media platforms and online communities. Mobile health apps and generative AI chatbots appeared in recent publications, although evidence on AI use remained limited. The most frequently sought content included self-management and lifestyle guidance, general diabetes knowledge, and treatment-related information. Determinants of OHIS operated across multiple levels. At the individual level, younger age, greater educational attainment, higher income, and better eHealth literacy were associated with increased engagement, while psychological factors such as perceived knowledge gaps and a desire for autonomy motivated searching. Interpersonal influences included peer support and clinician communication. Organizational and environmental factors encompassed health care access, digital infrastructure, information quality, and platform characteristics. Persistent disparities were observed among older adults and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Conclusions: This review synthesizes OHIS among individuals with diabetes through the lenses of technological evolution, multilevel determinants, and digital health equity. Unlike previous reviews that focused on specific platforms or general information-seeking behaviors, it maps the transition from web-based resources to social media and emerging AI-enabled ecosystems. This temporally informed synthesis advances understanding of digital engagement in diabetes self-management, identifies key evidence gaps, and informs clinical, organizational, and policy strategies to promote equitable access to trustworthy online health information.

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