Digital well-being in the hyperconnected era: Mapping and bibliometric analysis

The hyperconnected era accelerated the integration of digital technologies into daily life, reshaping social, emotional, and cognitive experiences while raising urgent questions about digital well-being (DWB). Despite increasing scholarly attention, the conceptualization of DWB remained fragmented across disciplines, and a comprehensive mapping of its thematic evolution was lacking. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 226 Scopus-indexed publications from 2014–2024, applying performance analysis and science mapping through Biblioshiny and VOSviewer to explore publication trends, collaboration networks, and thematic clusters. Results showed an annual growth rate of 42.49%, with output surged after 2020. The United Kingdom, USA, and Australia led in productivity, with the UK also dominated international collaborations. Motor themes included digital mental health, youth well-being, and digital skills; basic themes involved digital wellness, fatigue, and user-centered design; emerging themes covered adolescent well-being, scale development, and sustainable digital engagement. The co-occurrence network revealed a highly interconnected yet siloed field, with “digital well-being” as the central bridging concept across mental health, education, workplace, and digital literacy contexts. This study offered theoretical, methodological, and policy implications, emphasizing the need for integrated frameworks, diverse population focus, and evidence-based interventions to foster healthier digital ecosystems.