DIGITAL WELL-BEING AND RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY USE IN EDUCATION

Abstract

The expanding presence of digital technologies within educational environments has transformed not only how students learn, but also how they experience digital well-being. While digital tools have enabled unprecedented access to knowledge and collaborative opportunities, they have simultaneously introduced complex challenges affecting learners’ cognitive, emotional, social, and physical health. The concept of digital well-being, therefore, has emerged as a critical lens through which educational practices must now be examined. This chapter critically explores the intersection of digital engagement and student well-being across school and higher education contexts. Drawing upon frameworks from global organizations such as UNESCO, WHO, and OECD, it synthesizes current research to evaluate both the enabling and adverse dimensions of technology use. Particular attention is given to cognitive functioning, social interaction patterns, emotional regulation, and physical health outcomes associated with prolonged digital exposure.