Digital well-being of civil society in the scope of algorithmic influence

Abstract

The article aims to provide a philosophical understanding of digital well-being (DWB) as a socio-political phenomenon, emerging at the intersection of individual digital interaction and the structural transformations of civil society. The focus is placed on the influence of digital technologies on democratic participation, especially in the case of vulnerable groups such as youth, who engage with digital media under conditions of limited normative and ethical protection.
         This research applies an interdisciplinary methodology combining tools from social philosophy, political theory, media studies, and ethics. Methods include critical discourse analysis, conceptual modeling, contextual interpretation, and case study (QAnon, Cambridge Analytica, Telegram, X). The analysis draws on contemporary scholarship and public policy documents.

The study reveals that digital well-being is a complex construct encompassing temporal, moral-ethical, and legal dimensions. These dimensions act not only as indicators of the quality of digital interaction, but also as metrics of a society’s informational maturity. The article analyzes mechanisms of algorithmic influence – including attention economy, personalization, and FUD/4D techniques – that reduce critical thinking and stimulate symbolic participation of youth in digital democracy.

Digital well-being is conceptualized as an integrative indicator of an individual’s interaction with the information environment. The paper establishes that digital platforms are not merely neutral communication tools but active agents in structuring public discourse. The algorithmic logic of content delivery creates new socio-political challenges requiring ethical, legal, and educational responses. The author emphasizes the importance of critical education, platform accountability, and regulatory transparency as preconditions for civil society resilience in the digital era.