Digital Wellness

What is digital wellness? Several different definitions of digital wellness, or digital well-being, have been proposed. Here are a few examples:

A digitally well person considers the impact of virtual presence and use of technology on their overall well-being by taking steps to create sustainable habits that support their values, goals, community and safety. (Ohio State Student Wellness Center)

Elements of digital life, such as information overload, distraction, privacy concerns, and interpersonal interactions, can significantly affect an individual’s well-being. Cultivating digital wellness involves the ability to navigate these aspects of digital life and to make mindful decisions related to time spent, account settings, sharing, and more. (Julia Feerar, "Supporting Digital Wellness and Well-Being," Student Wellness and Academic Libraries: Case Studies and Activities for Promoting Health and Success)

Digital wellness reflects the increasing need for more balance in how digital technologies are integrated into every aspect of human life. When you are digitally well, you can: find focus and flow in work; live in harmony with both your physical and digital environments; enjoy strong relationships online and offline; build healthy physical and digital practices; embrace mindfulness and self-care through intentional technology use; understand how to manage your digital data and privacy. (Amy Blankson, How Technology Can Be Part of a Happy Life)

Digital wellbeing is a subjective individual experience of optimal balance between the benefits and drawbacks obtained from mobile connectivity. This experiential state is comprised of affective and cognitive appraisals of the integration of digital connectivity into ordinary life. People achieve digital wellbeing when experiencing maximal controlled pleasure and functional support, together with minimal loss of control and functional impairment. (Mariek M P Vanden Abeele, Digital Wellbeing as a Dynamic Construct)

Why is it important for us--Ohio State students, staff, and faculty--to concern ourselves with digital wellness? Because "digital life can have a significant effect on physical health and safety, mental health, and experiences of life satisfaction and social connectedness." (Julia Feerar, Supporting Digital Wellness and Well-Being)

This guide is intended to provide Ohio State students, staff, and faculty with resources for learning more about digital wellness and digital well-being and strategies to support improved digital wellness.