digitalwellbeing

Digital wellbeing, sometimes written as digitalwellbeing, refers to the impact of digital technologies on an individual's overall health and happiness. The concept covers mental and physical health, social relationships, productivity, and daily functioning, and is studied at the intersection of psychology, public health, education, and human-computer interaction. It recognizes both benefits of digital life—the access to information, connection, and opportunities for learning—and risks such as stress, distraction, sleep disturbance, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns.

Key dimensions include health and safety, privacy and data security, digital literacy, equitable access, and the balance between online and offline life. Practices aimed at supporting digital wellbeing include setting screen-time limits, organizing notification settings, scheduling digital-free periods, and using accessibility and assistive features. Designers and organizations advocate humane design that reduces distraction and respects user autonomy.

Measurement and policy: researchers use surveys, experience sampling, and behavioral data to assess how technology affects well-being, but there is no universally accepted metric. Initiatives range from school-based programs and workplace policies to platform-level tools such as dashboards and parental controls. Governments and institutions may promote digital literacy, protect privacy, and regulate online safety or advertising.

Critiques emphasize that responsibility should not rest solely on users; developers, employers, and policymakers must address power imbalances, accessibility gaps, and algorithmic design. As technology evolves, the field of digital wellbeing seeks practical strategies that sustain engagement while supporting health, privacy, and inclusive participation in digital life.