Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented need for information and communication technology (ICT), which has allowed university studies to continue in an online different environment, because social isolation is compulsory. This article designed and validated an instrument to assess the use of ICT and its effect on the wellbeing of Ecuadorian university students. A theoretical framework was constructed based on documentary analysis. A draft questionnaire considered students’ and experts’ suggestions. A pilot questionnaire was then validated with a 1,952 students sample. Finally, a reliability instrument was proposed that can be used in studies of similar situations and is able to investigate the relationship between students’ wellbeing and ICT during the learning process. The questionnaire analysis revealed that not all of the world’s educational systems are prepared to take on the challenge of online classes, and not all students’ are equipped with conditions needed to participate in online distance education.