Abstract

This paper considers how staff and students within an Irish University perceive aspects of their digital health within and outside the educational environment. As this is a continuously and rapidly changing environment, the research is timely and contributes to a gap in understandings of the implication of digital interactions across university generations. In February 2026 the digital teaching support functions within Munster Technological University surveyed students (n=1489) and staff (n=257) on various aspects of digital use within and outside their education. An element of this research focused on Digital Wellness. Aspects captured by the survey include (1) the proportion of their online time spent on activities not directly related to work or study, (2) how easy it is for them to live without their smartphone and (3) if they are concerned about online interactions affecting their wellbeing. The survey allowed students (n=255) and staff (n=66) to enter free text to questions in relation to their concerns on ‘how’ online interactions affected their wellbeing which were themed. What emerged were challenges in managing technology and time and application of boundary management strategies. An age disparity is also evident in terms of younger cohort spending more time online and finding it difficult to live without technology.  In addition, feelings of loneliness and isolation as well as mental health difficulties causing confidence issues for students in particular were evident. The research recommends policies to assist both staff and student digital wellness as well as guidance and supports on implementing these.

Disciplines

Education | Higher Education | Online and Distance Education

Full Publication Date

28-9-2026

Publication Details

28/09/2026: This article is the Author's Original Version and has not undergone peer-review.

Publisher

Munster Technological University

Resource Type

research article

Resource Version

http://purl.org/coar/version/c_b1a7d7d4d402bcce

Access Rights

open access

Open Access Route

Diamond Open Access

License Condition

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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