Environmental Design and Digital Well-being Among Youth: An Interdisciplinary Review Integrating Neuroscience, Environmental Psychology, and Traditional Spatial Practices

Environmental Design and Digital Well-being Among Youth: An Interdisciplinary Review of Neuroscience, Environmental Psychology, and Traditional Spatial Practices presents a comprehensive examination of how the physical environment influences brain function, cognitive performance, mental well-being, and digital behavior among children, adolescents, and young adults. Drawing upon research from neuroscience, environmental psychology, building science, public health, educational architecture, and behavioral science, this work synthesizes current evidence on the role of natural daylight, indoor air quality, ventilation, thermal comfort, acoustics, ergonomics, biophilic design, and learning environments in supporting healthy cognitive and psychological development. It also explores the growing challenge of digital addiction and discusses evidence-based strategies for promoting balanced technology use. A distinctive contribution of this work is the proposed Environmental Digital Well-being Model (EDWM), a conceptual framework that integrates environmental design, brain function, behavioral self-regulation, and digital well-being. The review further examines traditional spatial practices, including Vastu Shastra, from an evidence-informed perspective, distinguishing architectural principles that align with contemporary research from concepts that require further empirical investigation. Designed for researchers, educators, architects, psychologists, neuroscientists, public health professionals, policymakers, and students, this publication provides an interdisciplinary foundation for understanding how healthier learning and living environments may contribute to improved academic performance, mental well-being, and responsible digital engagement. By identifying research gaps, proposing future research directions, and offering practical recommendations, this review contributes to the growing international discussion on creating evidence-informed environments that support healthier and more sustainable digital lifestyles.