When I am practicing a healthy relationship with technology, I have a good chance of feeling as light and as focused as the person above. (Photo - Marc Najera)

Being intentional in the digital world is not an easy feat. We spend over 6.5 hours online daily and need help to make this time well spent. I am encouraged that there are governments and institutions supporting research, creating frameworks, policies and laws to shed light on what digital wellbeing is, why it is important and and how to improve it.

In this post I provide highlights from:

• Global Digital Wellbeing Index, UAE, report on 35 countries

• Digital Wellbeing Framework, Singapore

Global Digital Wellbeing Index, UAE

The Global Digital Wellbeing Index is

“a systematic exploration of digital technology’s impact on human wellbeing,”

says Wadha Nafjan, Head of Digital Wellbeing at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), United Arab Emirates

Contributors to the report include a) Sync, a digital wellbeing program launched by Ithra, b) Horizon Group, a research center based in Switzerland and c) an expert panel of researchers from Singapore, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong.

Amy Blankson, Digital Wellbeing Institute, is the US member of the panel.

***

This report defines Digital Wellbeing as

“achieving and maintaining a balance among the opportunities and risks, benefits, and harms associated with digital technology.”

The DWI index compiles information from 35 countries. It’s stated purpose (page 4 of the report) is three fold:

1. “Stimulate international discussions on the value and effects of digital technology.”

2. “Influence policymakers to measure and enhance digital wellbeing.”

3. “Provide a benchmark for stakeholders to gauge the impact of emerging technologies.”

The survey of 35 countries measured the state of digital wellbeing across the following 12 pillars in two major categories, Balancing Needs and Capturing Opportunity.

Balancing Needs Pillars:

1. Social Cohesion

2. Mental Health

3. Physical Health*

4. Ability to Disconnect*

5. Information Quality

6. Cyber Safety

Capturing Opportunity pillars:

1. Connectivity

2. Social Connectedness

3. Education, Skills

4. Work Productivity, Income*

5. Entertainment & Culture

6. Access to Goods & Services

   *Pillars with the lowest scores

Below are details on the pillars with the lowest scores:

• Pillar #3 Physical Health (48)

• Pillar #4 Ability to Disconnect (48)

• Pillar #10 Work Productivity, Income (39)

Physical Health

“The ability to use technology in a way that does not undermine, and in the ideal case, promotes physical health.” p.26

Three physical health factors were assessed:

1. policies to support physical activity,

2. maintaining physical health, and

3. physical inactivity.

Findings: Physical health is often diminished due to the sedentary nature of prolonged screen time. This can lead to problems such as obesity, musculoskeletal challenges, and weakened cardiovascular health…all which can decrease the ability to concentrate, manage stress, and engage with technology responsibly. Device addiction has also been linked to sleep disturbances.

Countries: Canada, France, and Australia score best in physical health with scores of 77, 69, 67 respectively. Also, Canada, India, Estonia, and Ghana fully addressed physical health risks in school curricula. The United States, Saudi Arabia, and Germany scored in the mid-range at 48-49.Lowest were Brazil, Algeria, Kuwait at 30-36.

Trends: Some governments have published guidelines on screen time, audio levels for safe hearing, and the use of blue light filters. In 2018, South Africa introduced a 24-hour movement guideline for children age 0-5 years, with recommendations concerning physical activity, sedentary habits, screen time, and sleep.

Ability to Disconnect

“The mechanisms and habits that support the healthy use of technology and help set boundaries between using technology and other areas of life.” p.26

Three factors were assessed:

1. policy/legislation on the right to disconnect

2. perceptions of the ability to disconnect in the context of work and study

3. adoption of individual measures to ensure digital wellbeing.

Findings: Legislation on the right to disconnect is found in Australia, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, and Mexico.

Countries: Australia, Italy, Germany, France, and Canada scored highest 78-85 with strong legislation on the right to disconnect. Argentina, Chile, Colombia, France and Mexico also some policies in place but they are not as robust.

United Kingdom, United States, India scored 50-54.

Lowest scores, 21-27 were in Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait.

Trends: For those working or studying remotely, practices to improve wellbeing are self directed and include use of standing desks, taking regular breaks.

It should be noted that best practices such as dedicated workspace, following regular work / rest schedules, refraining from multitasking, and disconnecting from work-related tasks at the end of the day are difficult to implement. These are possible only if the work and home culture enables this behavior. Further environment design at work or at home may be constrained by lack of space or finances needed to improve the ability to disconnect.

Work Productivity Income

“Technology-enabled new ways of working (e.g. remote work and digital nomadism, working with global teams, using digital online tools to foster creativity, increase work efficiency, and reduce menial tasks), new types of jobs and ways of income generation, and reduced barriers for micro-entrepreneurship.” p.26

The areas were assessed:

1. policy support for remote work,

2. policy support for the digital workforce, and

3. policy support for technology-enabled work.

This pillar is led by high income countries Estonia, Singapore, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Findings:

Higher scoring countries protect remote workers. They have formalized flexible work arrangements including some digital nomad visa frameworks. The top digital tools used are for collaboration, job searching, and income generation.

Singapore - Digital Wellbeing Framework

Under the leadership of Lee Mong Li, Janice, The Centre for Trusted Internet Community, National University of Singapore (NUS) launched a “Living Well Digitally” movement. Their definition of Digital Wellbeing is as follows:

Digital wellbeing is an umbrella term that includes various dimensions of the digital life.

• Maintain a healthy relationship with technology in a balanced and civic way.

• Understand the positive and negative impacts of engaging with digital activities.

• Know how to manage and control factors contributing to digital wellbeing.

Five researchers make up the Living Well Digitally team with goals to educate, evaluate, engage and empower Singaporeans and the world about digital wellbeing.

1. Educate - the NUS makes their research accessible to educate and spread the word on digital wellbeing worldwide.

2. Evaluate - the NUS provides a framework for evaluating digital wellbeing.

3. Engage - the NUS engages the public, practitioners, policymakers to make digital wellbeing a global movement.

4. Empower - the NUS strives to empower individuals from all walks of life to enhance digital wellbeing for themselves & their community.

NUS offers a framework for healthier tech use in five areas.

• Digital consumption (e.g., mindful purchasing, trusted reviews)

• Digital relationships (positive community engagement)

• Digital health (fitness and mental wellness tools)

• Digital work (flexible, focused, upskilled workflows)

• Digital civic participation (raising awareness and collective action)

I completed their Digital Wellbeing self assessment, 50 questions, 10 in each of the 5 areas listed above. The questions are mostly about the ability to use the Internet in useful ways, including questions about feeling safe on the internet as well as not causing harm to others yourself.

I am surprised that the assessment does not include any questions about excessive, reactive, harmful use of tech and its impact on mental health.

Stay tuned for more global trends

In future posts I will highlight other countries who are thinking, guiding and legislating on various digital wellbeing.

Specifically, I will note legislation aimed at protecting children from digital harms.