Discover evidence-based tips from researchers Sophie Janicke-Bowles and Clay Routledge in this digital flourishing toolkit

What is digital flourishing?

Digital flourishing refers to feeling good about how we interact with others online and the choices we make in our digital lives.

Most people experience a variety of benefits from using digital technology.

For example, it can help you connect with others, feel socially and emotionally supported, become inspired, network and find professional opportunities, or even build a movement.

Digital flourishing pushes back on the negative effects of technology and puts you in control of your time and experiences online, with the goal of improving your overall well-being.

Why should we care about digital flourishing?

Having positive experiences online helps you feel more satisfied with your life and increases feelings of meaning and purpose.

People who are digitally flourishing find their social relationships more rewarding and feel happier overall.

This helps them better handle the challenges of digital technology. They are also more optimistic about the future, engaged in daily activities, and able to contribute to the well-being of others. Importantly, digital flourishing is related to better mental health. By focusing on positive ways to use digital technology, we can limit the challenges many generations face navigating the online world.

The Five Dimensions of Digital Flourishing

This guide explores five dimensions of digital flourishing discovered by researchers:

  • Positive Social Comparison
  • Civil Participation
  • Self-Control
  • Community Connectedness
  • Authentic Self-Disclosure

Open the practical guide to see tips and strategies for digital flourishing in each dimension.

Summary

Digital flourishing doesn’t have to be hard. You can improve your relationship with technology and boost your happiness online with simple daily practices:

  • Only follow people who inspire and uplift you.
  • Pause before responding to emotional content.
  • Make room for phone-free time in your life.
  • Connect with others and ask meaningful questions.
  • Reflect on your values before posting.

As our lives have become more and more digitized, it is important to find ways to optimize our digital experiences to increase our well-being and thrive online.

Download the toolkit.

 

Sophie Janicke-Bowles

Sophie Janicke-Bowles, PhD, is a positive media psychology fellow at the Archbridge Institute and an associate professor at Chapman University. Her interdisciplinary research and teaching intersect the field of positive psychology with media studies. Specifically, she is researching what type of usage and content of media can increase well-being, connectedness, transcendence, and prosociality across a variety of media platforms (i.e., social media, computer-mediated communication, films, TV, music). Dr. Janicke-Bowles received her Ph.D. in mass communication from Florida State University. She regularly blogs for Psychology Today and is the Director of Research at the Digital Wellness Institute.

Clay Routledge, PhD, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Archbridge Institute, where he also leads the institute’s Human Flourishing Lab. As a thought leader in existential psychology and human motivation, Clay translates research into practical insights that help people reach their full potential, build meaningful lives, and advance human progress and flourishing. Dr. Routledge received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is co-editor of Profectus Magazine, an online publication dedicated to human progress and flourishing. He writes the weekly newsletter "Flourishing Friday."

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