Research Article

The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception

Volume: 8 Number: 1 May 15, 2026
Veysel Bilal Arslankara *, Diane Vassallo , Caroline Thériault , Monalisa Pivetta Da Silva , Ertuğrul Usta

The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception

Abstract

This study examines the relationships among artificial intelligence competence, computational thinking, and virtual risk perception within digital learning environments, focusing on the mediating and moderating role of digital well-being. The research was conducted with a cross-cultural sample of 456 university students from Türkiye, Malta, Ghana, Canada, and Brazil. Data were collected using validated measurement instruments and analyzed through regression-based mediation and moderation analyses using Jamovi software. The findings revealed that both artificial intelligence competence and computational thinking significantly and positively predict digital well-being. In addition, all three variables, artificial intelligence competence, computational thinking, and digital well-being, were found to significantly predict virtual risk perception. Mediation analyses demonstrated that digital well-being serves as a significant mediator in the relationship between the independent variables and virtual risk perception. Furthermore, moderation analyses demonstrated that digital well-being significantly alters the strength of these relationships, suggesting that individuals with higher digital well-being may perceive virtual risks differently compared to those with lower digital well-being. Cross-cultural comparisons also revealed significant differences across countries. Overall, the findings highlight digital well-being as a central construct that reflects individual digital experiences and shapes how technological competencies influence risk perception. The study provides important implications for the design of AI-supported learning environments and the development of global educational policies, particularly in how these environments can be tailored to enhance digital well-being and address the varying technological competencies and risk perceptions across different cultures.

Keywords

artificial intelligence competence, computational thinking, digital well-being, virtual risk perception, mediation and moderation

References

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APA
Arslankara, V. B., Vassallo, D., Thériault, C., Pivetta Da Silva, M., & Usta, E. (2026). The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception. Journal of Teacher Education and Lifelong Learning, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.51535/tell.1917942
AMA
1.Arslankara VB, Vassallo D, Thériault C, Pivetta Da Silva M, Usta E. The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception. TELL. 2026;8(1). doi:10.51535/tell.1917942
Chicago
Arslankara, Veysel Bilal, Diane Vassallo, Caroline Thériault, Monalisa Pivetta Da Silva, and Ertuğrul Usta. 2026. “The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-Being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception”. Journal of Teacher Education and Lifelong Learning 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.51535/tell.1917942.
EndNote
Arslankara VB, Vassallo D, Thériault C, Pivetta Da Silva M, Usta E (May 1, 2026) The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception. Journal of Teacher Education and Lifelong Learning 8 1
IEEE
[1]V. B. Arslankara, D. Vassallo, C. Thériault, M. Pivetta Da Silva, and E. Usta, “The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception”, TELL, vol. 8, no. 1, May 2026, doi: 10.51535/tell.1917942.
ISNAD
Arslankara, Veysel Bilal - Vassallo, Diane - Thériault, Caroline - Pivetta Da Silva, Monalisa - Usta, Ertuğrul. “The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-Being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception”. Journal of Teacher Education and Lifelong Learning 8/1 (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.51535/tell.1917942.
JAMA
1.Arslankara VB, Vassallo D, Thériault C, Pivetta Da Silva M, Usta E. The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception. TELL. 2026;8. doi:10.51535/tell.1917942.
MLA
Arslankara, Veysel Bilal, et al. “The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-Being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception”. Journal of Teacher Education and Lifelong Learning, vol. 8, no. 1, May 2026, doi:10.51535/tell.1917942.
Vancouver
1.Veysel Bilal Arslankara, Diane Vassallo, Caroline Thériault, Monalisa Pivetta Da Silva, Ertuğrul Usta. The Mediating and Moderating Role of Digital Well-being in the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence Competence, Computational Thinking, and Virtual Risk Perception. TELL. 2026 May 1;8(1). doi:10.51535/tell.1917942