No digital wellbeing without digital inclusion

• February 23, 2026
• Andrew

How healthy digital habits build confidence and participation
As digital technologies become ever more embedded in our daily lives, they shape how we communicate, learn, work, and interact with others. While digitalisation opens new opportunities, it also influences access to information, relationships, and participation in society, raising important challenges related to wellbeing, inclusion, and safety.

Digital participation is not neutral: the way people engage with technology can empower them or deepen exclusion and vulnerability. For many, including young people, older adults, and those with lower levels of digital skills, online environments can feel overwhelming, unsafe, or harmful to wellbeing. This is why healthy digital habits are not optional, but a fundamental condition for meaningful and inclusive digital participation.

Why healthy digital habits matter
Healthy digital habits help people use technology in ways that support wellbeing, autonomy, and confidence. They enable individuals to manage screen time, recognise online risks, protect their privacy, and engage critically with digital content. Without these skills, digital environments can expose users to misinformation, online harassment, privacy violations, or patterns of use that undermine trust and participation.

Insights from civil society and educational practice increasingly highlight similar concerns. Users report the negative effects of excessive screen time, the lack of safe online spaces, and limited awareness of digital rights, including data protection and the right to data deletion. These challenges tend to affect most strongly those who already face barriers to digital inclusion, reinforcing inequalities rather than reducing them.

Healthy digital habits therefore play a crucial role in ensuring that digitalisation benefits everyone. They support individual wellbeing while also contributing to social cohesion, democratic participation, and resilience in an increasingly digital society.

The MDIA’s participation
The MDIA is pleased to be nominated as national coordinators for the All Digital Weeks 2026 in Malta.

Running from 9 to 25th March 2026, All Digital Weeks is one of the major pan-European awareness raising campaigns on digital skills for inclusion, empowerment and employment, bringing together organisations, trainers, and learners around Europe in a shared mission to equip citizens with essential digital competences.

The 2026 edition focuses on “Digital wellbeing for a competitive Europe”, highlighting digital wellbeing as a key condition for inclusion, trust, and long-term competitiveness. The campaign connects local practice, professional reflection, and policy dialogue across Europe.

All Digital Weeks 2026 will open on 10th March with a European launch event in Brussels, followed by a wide range of national and local events, training activities, and online initiatives coordinated by national coordinators and featured on the campaign’s interactive map of events. The campaign will close with an online event reflecting its impact, celebrating the All Digital Weeks Trophies winners, and showcasing selected national success stories.

MDIA is pleased to serve as the national coordinator for All Digital Weeks 2026 in Malta. As part of this role, MDIA is mobilising local organisations, educators, and community partners to promote digital skills, digital wellbeing, and safe, confident participation in the digital world. A number of partners have already committed to the campaign, by supporting in organising Career Industry Visits, Online Safety talks, CoderDojo sessions, and other initiatives aimed at strengthening digital inclusion across the country. These activities will be featured on the All Digital Weeks interactive map, showcasing Malta’s contribution to this Europe‑wide effort.

Statement of All Digital CEO
“Digital skills now decide who can work, access public services, and take part in society,” says David Mekkaoui, CEO of All Digital. “For those already skilled, digital inclusion means wider user bases, shared European values and a stronger economy. For those less confident, it means access to jobs, public services, reliable information, and everyday independence. All Digital Weeks exists to close that gap, locally, practically, and for everyone.”

Get Involved!
All Digital Weeks 2026 is open to everyone, organisations, educators, policymakers, and citizens alike. To participate, organise an event, or explore learning opportunities, visit: https://all-digital.org/all-digital-weeks/

Join the conversation online using #AllDigitalWeeks #ADWeeks2026 and help us build a more inclusive digital future for all!