8 guidelines for maintaining a healthy digital well-being during COVID-19

Tech can be just as disruptive as it is helpful. The following tips can help professionals and their children use technology in a productive manner.

While technology has been a staple in most social lives, the coronavirus pandemic has forced digital tools to infiltrate work and personal lives, too. Office workers have shifted to remote work, students have adapted to online learning, and patients have transitioned to telehealth practices.

SEE: Top 100+ tips for telecommuters and managers (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Experts are predicting that this remote lifestyle might be the new normal, extending well beyond the pandemic. The benefits of remote work make the transition worthwhile, including heightened productivity, better work-life balance, and lower costs by eliminating office space. 

However, the influx of technology also has its downsides, according to a report the Center for Humane Technology, released on Monday. 

Many children are being exposed to technology at a greater extent than before, particularly because of virtual schooling. The downside of this is that they could succumb to the addictive nature and misinformation that tech also offers, according to the research. 

To help professionals maintain a healthy connection with technology for both themselves and their children, the Center of Human Technology compiled the following eight  tips for maintaining a positive digital well-being. 

8 guidelines for a healthy digital well-being 
1. Pay attention to how you feel

The report suggested techies take time to reflect on how technology makes you feel. Users should ask themselves and their kids, “How does this app or game make you feel, during and after use?” 

By asking some simple questions, tech users can learn a lot about how tech is affecting them, and ultimately protect themselves, or others, from harmful behaviors. The report also offered the following questions for self analysis or to ask your child: 

  • What thought, feeling, or impulse led you to pick up your device?
  • As you scroll through your feed, what kind of thoughts come up? 
  • What kind of emotions come up?
  • What happens to your breathing? 
  • How does your heart feel?

2. Communicate the “why” behind using the device

Maintaining a healthy relationship with tech is hard. Oftentimes users fall down the rabbit hole of using tech to only realize hours later how long they’ve been engaged. The report recommended making an effort to use tech as a tool instead of an end in itself. Consider the “why” behind using the device, and ask your child the same. 

The report offered the following helpful questions to ask yourself or child: 

  • Why am I reaching for my device?
  • How is this technology really enhancing my life?
  • Is this technology serving as a successful substitute for something lacking during the pandemic (i.e. exercise or education)?
  • Am I being a tech role model? 
  • When I am mindlessly using technology, am I taking ownership of that with my family?

3. Remember that all screen-time is not equal

Simply looking at a screen or using tech isn’t intrinsically bad; there is no need to completely remove tech from our lives, according to the report. Rather, professionals and parents should consider the type of activity they are doing on screens. 

For  example,

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