Module 7: Digital Well-being

Exploring Other Possible Ways of Supporting Digital Well-being

A massive boulder balances on top of a small rock in the ocean.
Balance Rock. A massive boulder left behind from the glacial retreat of the ice age, it still sits perfectly suspended on another rock. This is a place of great spiritual significance to the Haida people.

Remember digital health and wellness is about balance.

Drawing of a balance scale.

Technology supporting digital well-being

Most smartphones have “do not disturb” features that allow you to block out your work and sleep hours.

There are apps available to alert users when their daily screen time has surpassed healthy limits or send notifications on screen time.

Digital well-being apps

There are a number of apps designed to support digital well-being. The apps are designed to increase awareness among digital users. Digital well-being apps can help people understand their relationship with technology and make healthy choices to create balance.

Learner notes

Source and recommended reading: What is Digital Wellness? – Citrix

Here are some examples of digital well-being apps:

  1. Unlock Clock: shows the number of times you’ve unlocked your device each day. Designed to help you disconnect through awareness.
  2. Post Box: allows you to schedule times for notifications on your device to help you minimize digital distractions.
  3. My Possible Self: offers a holistic approach to mental health.

Learner notes

Source and recommended reading: Google launches five new Digital Wellbeing apps (digitalwellbeing.org)

Moving forward—applying what you know

The strategies and examples in this module are just a starting point to manage life in our digital age. They can be applied in your personal life, professional life, and shared with your student.

8 tips to improve your digital well-being

  1. Establish screen time boundaries.
  2. Be present in your digital usage.
  3. Create tech-free zones and times.
  4. Prioritize sleep hygiene.
  5. Wear blue-light glasses.
  6. Utilize “do not disturb” and airplane mode.
  7. Supplement essential nutrients.
  8. Cultivate digital literacy.

Learner notes

Source and recommended reading: What is Digital Wellness? Tips to Improve your Digital Wellbeing | Lightbody (lightbodylabs.com)

Maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities.

Diagram urging balance between digital usage and digital wellness.

Try these steps with your students:

Try these activities: turn off your camera, do some movement, and think about how you would promote digital wellness.

Examining your digital wellness allows you to take a look at how technology is impacting your life. Implement one of the strategies presented in this module into your daily relationship with technology.

Attributions

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Indigenous Digital Literacies Copyright © 2024 by Connie Strayer and Robyn Grebliunas is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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