When Digital Needs Are Not Enough: Social Norms, Digital Consumption, and Well-Being through an Islamic Ethical Lens
Abstract
Background: Digital technology has become increasingly integral to contemporary society, raising questions about whether digital needs function as basic needs that directly contribute to well-being. However, existing studies have not fully explained whether digital need priority influences well-being directly or whether this relationship depends on digital consumption behavior and digital well-being.
Research Gap: Most previous research views the relationship between digital needs and well-being as straightforward, assuming increased digital priorities automatically impact individual well-being. This approach tends to ignore the possibility that digital consumption behavior may play a role in explaining the relationship between need orientation and psychological outcomes. Furthermore, social factors are often overlooked in explaining why digital needs become a priority.
Novelty: This study re-examines the role of digital need priority by integrating social norms, digital motivation, digital consumption behavior, and digital well-being. It conceptualizes digital need priority as a cognitive-evaluative orientation rather than as a proxy for access or use intensity, distinguishing instrumental and hedonic digital consumption behaviors.
Method: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected through a survey of 156 urban respondents who actively used digital technology. The proposed model was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).
Results: Digital need priority does not significantly influence digital well-being, either directly or indirectly through digital consumption behavior. Instead, both instrumental and hedonic digital consumption behaviors significantly enhance digital well-being. Digital well-being subsequently increases subjective well-being and reduces stress. Subjective norm, rather than digital motivation, significantly shapes digital need priority.
Conclusion: Digital needs may function more as socially influenced priorities than as direct determinants of well-being. Improving well-being in the digital era requires not only access to technology but also balanced, purposeful, and healthy digital consumption practices. From an Islamic ethical perspective, digital well-being requires purposeful and balanced use that advances maslahah while avoiding israf.
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