How digital wellness is represented in school digital literacy and citizenship models: a qualitative comparative analysis

Research has begun to examine the role of digital wellness in educational contexts, suggesting that cultivating competencies such as self-regulation, emotional resilience, and intentional technology use may support healthier digital engagement and enhance both academic learning and student well-being. Despite its relevance, digital wellness remains underrepresented in educational discourse, often overshadowed by the dominant emphasis on digital literacy and digital citizenship in schools. Using the Qualitative Comparative Analysis-Based Research Synthesis (QCARS) method, this paper explored the representation of digital wellness within existing digital literacy and digital citizenship educational models or frameworks. In alignment with QCARS methodology, the synthesis was both descriptive and interpretive. Educational frameworks and models from the last 10–15 years (N = 15) were analyzed using a truth table informed by the QCARS method. Results revealed that fourteen of the twenty-four frameworks incorporated digital wellness constructs to varying degrees. The majority referred to digital wellness as a ‘subcomponent’ of digital literacy or digital competence, affirming their status as educational priorities globally. A notable observation, and a potential limitation of this analysis, is the terminological ambiguity, posing challenges for identification and comparison. As schools continue to navigate increasingly digital environments, cultivating not only digital competence but also digital wellness is critical.