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Abstract

Background - Digital wellbeing has been widely discussed due to the influence of digital technology on our life. This paper defined digital wellbeing for university students in Bangkok and reviewed how they engaged with technology, while examining the technological impacts on their everyday lives.

Methods - Qualitative data was collected from university students across different majors and genders, ranging in age from 18-32 years old. The researchers used 30 in-depth individual interviews in conjunction with a brain writing 6-3-5 design thinking technique to gain insight into how digital natives living in Bangkok defined digital wellbeing and experienced daily life impacts from technology. The data collected were typed into script, subjected to content analysis, and subsequently presented visually through a diagram and mind-map.

Results – The digital practices of university students in Bangkok revolved around the concept of digital wellbeing, while centering on maintaining a balance among digital usage, digital literacy, creating digital networks, and enhancing digital learning. Positive impacts covered a range of themes, such as creating a new ecology learning system, finding enjoyment, enhancing self-development opportunities and convenience in life quality, while negative impacts included a broad range of negative effects centered around mental health.

Conclusion –Digital wellbeing constituted more than just health-related behaviors, like using technology to negotiate self-identity and relationships with others. Findings from this research could create more social awareness around issues of digital health literacy. This would promote healthy lifestyles and the development of opportunities for university students in both their professional and social lives.

Keywords: University students, Digital natives, Digital well-being, Technological impacts, Bangkok

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