Proceedings of the 7th World Conference on Social Sciences Studies
Year: 2025
DOI:
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Technology and Student Well-being: Exploring the Benefits and Risks of Digital Device Use
Krishnapriya Kanakkassery Satheesan
ABSTRACT:
The increasing integration of digital devices into students’ academic and social lives has raised concerns regarding their impact on health, behavior, and well-being. This scoping review explores the impact of technological device use on students’ health, behavior, and well-being, synthesizing findings from 23 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2023. The review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR (2018) guidelines to identify, screen, and analyze relevant studies from databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The studies assessed the effects of device use on psychological health, physical health, social interactions, academic performance, and behavior. The analysis revealed that moderate use of technological devices (less than 2 hours/day) supported emotional well-being and social connectivity. In contrast, excessive device use (more than 4 hours/day) was linked to negative psychological outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation, particularly in adolescents. Prolonged device use also contributed to physical health issues like sleep disruption and an increased risk of obesity. Additionally, excessive gaming was associated with higher impulsivity and aggression, and multitasking negatively affected focus and academic performance. Overuse of devices also hindered face-to-face social skills. However, regulating device use in educational settings was shown to improve academic outcomes. The review emphasizes the need for balanced device use, digital hygiene practices, and school policies promoting healthy technology engagement. It also suggests that future research should explore the long-term effects of device use and consider socio-demographic factors in shaping these outcomes to better address potential health and behavioral concerns among students.
keywords: academic performance, psychological health, social interactions, student well-being, technological devices