Healthy Technology Use

In a world where people have 24/7 access to the Internet, social media, and other digital technologies, developing healthy habits around how we interact with our screens can have an enormous impact on our physical, mental, and social well-being. Part of the Q&A Health Guides series, this book offers a broad introduction to healthy technology use – a topic of utmost importance in our “always connected” world. The book’s questions cover the potential negative impacts of technology overuse and addiction on mental and emotional health, physical well-being, and our relationships with others. Questions also address concerns such as digital information privacy, identity theft, piracy, and the dangers of misinformation circulated online. Finally, the book includes questions covering how to best address technology overuse and addiction, including mindfulness strategies, “digital detoxes,” and therapy. Augmenting the main text, a collection of 5 case studies illustrate key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. The Common Misconceptions section at the beginning of the volume dispels 5 long-standing and potentially dangerous myths about healthy technology use, directing readers to additional information in the text. The glossary defines terms that may be unfamiliar to readers, while the directory of resources curates a list of the most useful books, websites, and other materials. Finally, whether they’re looking for more information about this subject or any other health-related topic, readers can turn to the Guide to Health Literacy section for practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the Internet.