The key to digital media use and happiness is limited use: less than 1 hour per day plus exercise and real-life interaction

In a recent study, playing computer games, using social media, texting and video chatting were all associated with less happiness.

“The advent of the smartphone is the most plausible explanation for the sudden decrease in teens’ psychological well-being.”

The happiest teenagers were those who used digital media a little less than an hour a day.

The key to digital media use and happiness is limited use.

Here is the 2-step solution:

1. Aim to spend no more than one hour a day on digital media
2. Increase the amount of time you spend seeing friends face-to-face and exercising – two activities reliably linked to greater happiness

Prof Jean Twenge has made a whole career of this topic (http://www.psychology.sdsu.edu/people/jean-twenge). Here is a recent interview: Are smartphones making a generation unhappy?



References:

Teenage screen addicts lose out on happiness, study shows http://bit.ly/2rt9TNR

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