Jace Chen Opinion Piece The Importance Of Digital Wellbeing

Smartphones and digital platforms have become an integral part of our day-to-day lives. They help us to be productive at work, manage chores in our personal lives, entertain ourselves, and keep connected to the people that matter to us. Yet there is also the danger that they can distract us from whats important.

Many of us are familiar with the potential pitfalls. Doomscrolling through negative news in your feeds. Struggling to sleep after spending too long looking at a smartphone screen in the dark. Have your smartphone constantly ping and vibrate when youre trying to relax with your family. Or lost productivity due to distraction from games or social media.

This is why digital well-being is becoming such a hot topic. This concept refers to using personal technology in a mindful way that promotes mental, emotional, and physical health. Its all about using technology in a way that enriches, rather than detracts from, quality of life.

Some aspects of digital wellbeing include managing screentime, setting boundaries for online interactions and reducing stresses associated with the online world, such as cyberbullying. Other components of digital wellbeing include using tech to foster healthy social connections and drive better working habits.

It is an area where South Africa has room to improve. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture Ithra in Saudi Arabia is blazing trails with its research into digital wellbeing. According to its Global Digital Wellbeing Index , South Africa ranks at 28 th out of 35 countries in terms of digital wellness.