The mediating effect of virtual sharing on the relationship between cyber-ostracism and digital well-being

There is increasing evidence that cyber-ostracism adversely affects digital well-being, yet further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying this relationship. This study investigates the impact of cyber-ostracism on university students’ digital well-being, with a particular focus on the mediating role of virtual sharing. Drawing on survey data from a sample of 285 undergraduate students, the research employed correlation and mediation analyses to explore the relationships among cyber-ostracism, virtual sharing behaviors, and digital well-being. Results revealed that cyber-ostracism negatively predicted digital well-being while positively predicting virtual sharing. Moreover, virtual sharing was positively associated with digital well-being and partially mediated the relationship between cyber-ostracism and digital well-being. The findings suggest that students who experience online exclusion may attempt to compensate through increased virtual engagement, which can serve as a partial buffer against the negative effects of cyber-ostracism on digital well-being. The study underscores the importance of addressing cyber-ostracism in higher education and developing interventions that promote resilience, meaningful online participation, and student digital well-being.