Digital Health: Experiences, Technologies and Netoworks

Ria Shukla
Sep 7, 2018 · 2 min read

The use of technology and internet based life is evolving at a quick pace, with implications for their wellbeing. There needs to be a good understanding and awareness of what these changes bring and impact on our wellbeing. According to Dr Teresa Swist there are four different dimensions that influence the use of social media which are technical, material, social dimension and motivational dimension (Swist, 2015).

The use of social media seems to influence both the sides, negative and positive. This influence on people differs on the type of social media platform they use, the posts they come across, their age and another important factor is the global divide which is based on the internet access in developed or developing countries (Papadopoulos, 2011).

A study done by Emily Mcdool called ‘Social Media Use and Children’s Wellbeing’ stated that “Childhood circumstances and behaviours have been shown to have important persistent effects in later life. One aspect of childhood that has changed dramatically in the past decade, and is causing concern among policy makers and other bodies responsible for safeguarding children, is the advent of social media, or online social networking” (McDool, 2016). This study showed the negative affect that internet/social media had on the wellbeing and causing lower life satisfaction.

Though the benefits of social media are many in which the most important is to be able to connect to the real world. Social media has also been proved to help individuals suffering from loneliness specially for the older adults who are depressed and feel less lonely while being active on social networking platforms.

Researchers have found that social networking is able to provide good source of information along with the doctors who have been able to provide psychological and social support via social health and support networks (McGilvray, 2009).

References

Swist, D. T. (2015, 07). Social media and the wellbeing of children and young people : a literature review. Retrieved from Commisioner of Children and young people : http://www.uws.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/930502/Social_media_and_children_and_young_people.pdf

McDool, E. (2016). Social Media Use and Childrens Wellbeing. Institute of Labor Economics . Germany : IZA.

Papadopoulos, B. &. (2011). Bridging the digital divide — an Australian story, Behaviour & Information Technology. Retrieved from Behaviour & Information Technology: https://ilearn.swin.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-7503585-dt-content-rid-43365965_2/courses/2018-HS2-MDA80004-232987/Broadbent%20%26%20Papadopoulos_Bridging%20the%20DD%20Oz%20perspective_2011.pdf

McGilvray, A. (2009, 04 30). The health benefits of social networking. Retrieved from Health & Wellbeing : http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2009/04/30/2557302.htm

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade