AIS is reinforcing its commitment to building a safe digital society by releasing the Thailand Cyber Wellness Index 2026, now in its fourth consecutive year. The research tracks how prepared Thai people are to navigate life in the digital world. It provides a foundation for developing skills and strengthening digital resilience with the risks faced by different population groups.
The findings show that Thailand’s digital wellness score has risen steadily from 0.51 in 2023 to 0.724 in 2026, moving the country into the Advanced level. However, while Thai people are becoming more proficient in using technology, digital literacy and information verification remain critical skills that must be developed in parallel. This gap is reflected in five key digital trends, with behaviors and risks varying across different age groups.
Mrs. Saichon Submakudom, Chief Corporate Communication Officer of AIS, said: “This year’s Thailand Cyber Wellness Index presents an encouraging sign that Thai people are becoming increasingly prepared to navigate the digital world. At the same time, the findings show that being proficient in technology does not necessarily mean being able to recognize misleading information or understand online.
“Thailand must now move beyond enabling people to access and use technology. We need to empower people to think critically, verify information, stay safe, and act responsibly toward others. These capabilities are essential for everyday life in an era when AI, digital information, and online threats become part of our daily routines.
“The TCWI 2026 findings also show that a single approach to digital resilience cannot meet the needs of every population group. Children, young people, working adults, and older adults have different behaviors and face different risks. AIS will therefore use these insights to design age-appropriate learning experiences through the Digital Health Check, the Aunjai Cyber: AI Literacy course, and collaboration with partners across sectors, enabling Thai people to grow alongside technology safely and sustainably.”
The Thailand Cyber Wellness Index 2026 draws on data collected from 77,492 respondents nationwide. It evaluates digital wellness across seven dimensions: 1. Digital Use 2. Digital Skills 3. Digital Communication and Collaboration 4. Digital Identity and Rights 5. Digital Safety and Security 6. Cyberbullying and 7. Digital Relationships. The findings reveal 5 key factors shaping digital wellness in Thailand today.
- Thailand Records Its Highest Digital Wellness Score in Four Years, but One in Six Thais Still Needs Further Development
Thailand’s average digital wellness score has risen steadily from 0.51 in 2023 to 0.724 in 2026, moving the country’s overall digital wellness into the Advanced level. Despite this progress, one in six Thai people still requires further development in digital knowledge and skills. Continued efforts are therefore needed to ensure that no one is left behind as technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life.
- Thais Are Proficient Technology Users, but Digital Literacy and Information Verification Must Develop Alongside Use
Across the seven dimensions, Digital Use recorded an average score of 0.720, while Digital Literacy received the lowest score at 0.653. This contrast highlights a development gap that must be urgently addressed
Using devices, platforms, and digital services proficiently must be paired with the ability to question information, assess its credibility, and verify its sources. These capabilities are especially important in the age of generative AI, which can rapidly produce highly realistic text, images, audio, and video. Pausing to think and verify information before believing or sharing it has therefore become an essential skill for every digital user.
- Online Scams Are Closer Than Many Realize, With One in Five Thais Having Encountered Them
The TCWI 2026 findings show that 20.7% of Thai people, or approximately one in five, have encountered at least one form of online scam. These scams include fake links, fraudulent messages, impersonation of individuals or organizations, and attempts to persuade users to disclose personal information or transfer money.
The findings demonstrate that digital safety today goes beyond using strong passwords or protecting devices from malware. It must also include safe digital decision-making: verifying identities, sources, and the credibility of information, and pausing before clicking a link, disclosing sensitive information, or transferring money.
- Gen Alpha May Have Grown Up with Technology, but Its Digital Wellness Remains Below the National Average
Gen Alpha children ages 10–15 recorded an average digital wellness score of 0.61, below the national average. Of this group, 29.4%, or nearly three in ten, remain in the category requiring further development, particularly in information literacy, digital safety, online relationships, and understanding their digital footprints
Cyberbullying wellness scores also declined across age groups, falling from 0.82 among children aged 10–12 to 0.76 among those aged 13–15 and 0.75 among young people aged 16–22
These findings indicate that prevention should begin before children enter the age groups that requiring greater attention. Digital foundations should be established from ages 10–12, helping children understand that every post, comment, and piece of content they share can affect others and leave a lasting digital footprint
Children should learn how to protect their personal information, think before posting or sharing, respect the rights and feelings of others, avoid amplifying harmful content, and seek help when they encounter cyberbullying
- AI Use and Understanding Are Improving, but the Generational Gap Remains Clear
Thailand’s average score for AI use and understanding rose from 3.18 out of 5 in 2025 to 3.30 in 2026, showing that Thai people are becoming more familiar with AI and increasingly incorporating it into their lives. However, significant differences remain across age groups. People aged 23–29 recorded the highest score at 3.61, while those aged 60 and above received the lowest score at 2.53
This difference reflects disparities in access, knowledge, and the ability to use AI across generations, known as the AI Divide. The divide is shaped not only by whether people have access to AI, but also by whether they can select the right tools for specific tasks, ask appropriate questions, verify the accuracy of AI-generated outputs, and understand the technology’s limitations
AI can deliver meaningful benefits when users remain capable of thinking critically, checking information, and making their own decisions
Based on the Thailand Cyber Wellness Index findings, AIS will use the data to develop skills that reflect the contexts and risks of different age groups. These efforts include building strong foundations in digital literacy, digital footprints, and responsible online interaction for children; addressing cyberbullying and social pressure among young people; strengthening AI skills and online scam prevention among working adults; and building confidence in AI use and digital safety among older adults
AIS continues to work with government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, families, media organizations, and partners to translated research insights into meaningful action. This includes identifying skills gaps through the Digital Health Check, expanding learning opportunities through the Aunjai Cyber: AI Literacy course, and helping build a safe and responsible digital ecosystem
As a trusted leader and partner, AIS seeks not only to connect Thai people with technology, but also to prepare everyone to use technology effectively, think critically, verify information, stay safe, and act responsibly, ensuring that Thailand’s digital wellness keeps pace with technological change in a sustainable manner.
Those interested in developing their AI literacy can study through the AI Literacy course, which strengthens the ability to select appropriate AI tools, verify information, and use AI safely and responsibly, at https://aunjaicyber.ais.th/pathway/162.
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