The Governance of Digital Well-being: Policy Imperatives for Ethical AI Use in Mental Health and Educational Platforms

Esha Sharma

doi:10.71097/IJSAT.v16.i4.9303

The Governance of Digital Well-being: Policy Imperatives for Ethical AI Use in Mental Health and Educational Platforms

Author(s)	Ms. Esha Sharma
Country	India
Abstract	The accelerating integration of artificial intelligence into educational and mental health platforms has redefined the human–technology interface, raising profound questions about psychological autonomy, cognitive balance, and ethical accountability. While AI-driven systems promise personalization and efficiency, they increasingly shape emotional states, learning behaviors, and self-perception—areas traditionally safeguarded by human discretion and institutional ethics. This paper interrogates the governance vacuum surrounding digital well-being and proposes a structured framework for the ethical oversight of AI in these sensitive domains. Drawing on policy analysis, theoretical synthesis, and comparative review, the study critically examines major governance instruments such as India’s National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the European Union’s AI Act, and UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. It identifies a systemic disjunction between technological regulation and the moral-psychological dimensions of human welfare. The proposed Governance of Digital Well-being (GDW) Framework advances five interlocking pillars—ethical accountability, algorithmic transparency, human oversight, psychological safety, and inclusive policymaking—anchoring governance not merely in compliance but in the cultivation of humane digital ecosystems. By integrating governance theory, AI ethics, and socio-psychological perspectives, this research reframes digital well-being as a public good requiring co-regulation between state, market, and civil society actors. It calls for policy architectures that safeguard emotional sovereignty and intellectual agency within algorithmically mediated environments. The findings underscore that ethical AI governance must evolve from protecting data privacy to protecting cognitive and emotional integrity. The paper contributes a normative and operational foundation for governments, educators, and digital health innovators seeking to reconcile technological advancement with human dignity in the age of intelligent systems.
Keywords	digital well-being; AI governance; ethical artificial intelligence; mental health policy; educational technology; algorithmic transparency; human agency; cognitive integrity; policy ethics; governance framework.
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 16, Issue 4, October-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-15
DOI	https://doi.org/10.71097/IJSAT.v16.i4.9303
Short DOI	https://doi.org/hbbmz5

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The Governance of Digital Well-being: Policy Imperatives for Ethical AI Use in Mental Health and Educational Platforms

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