Healthy Technology Use
Your Questions Answered
Will be published approx. on 23. July 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
979-8-7651-2313-3 (ISBN)
Description
In a world where people have 24/7 access to the Internet, social media, and other digital technologies, developing healthy habits around how we interact with our screens can have an enormous impact on our physical, mental, and social well-being.
Part of the Q&A Health Guides series, this book offers a broad introduction to healthy technology use - a topic of utmost importance in our "always connected" world. The book's questions cover the potential negative impacts of technology overuse and addiction on mental and emotional health, physical well-being, and our relationships with others. Questions also address concerns such as digital information privacy, identity theft, piracy, and the dangers of misinformation circulated online. Finally, the book includes questions covering how to best address technology overuse and addiction, including mindfulness strategies, "digital detoxes," and therapy.
Augmenting the main text, a collection of 5 case studies illustrate key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. The Common Misconceptions section at the beginning of the volume dispels 5 long-standing and potentially dangerous myths about healthy technology use, directing readers to additional information in the text. The glossary defines terms that may be unfamiliar to readers, while the directory of resources curates a list of the most useful books, websites, and other materials. Finally, whether they're looking for more information about this subject or any other health-related topic, readers can turn to the Guide to Health Literacy section for practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the Internet.
Part of the Q&A Health Guides series, this book offers a broad introduction to healthy technology use - a topic of utmost importance in our "always connected" world. The book's questions cover the potential negative impacts of technology overuse and addiction on mental and emotional health, physical well-being, and our relationships with others. Questions also address concerns such as digital information privacy, identity theft, piracy, and the dangers of misinformation circulated online. Finally, the book includes questions covering how to best address technology overuse and addiction, including mindfulness strategies, "digital detoxes," and therapy.
Augmenting the main text, a collection of 5 case studies illustrate key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. The Common Misconceptions section at the beginning of the volume dispels 5 long-standing and potentially dangerous myths about healthy technology use, directing readers to additional information in the text. The glossary defines terms that may be unfamiliar to readers, while the directory of resources curates a list of the most useful books, websites, and other materials. Finally, whether they're looking for more information about this subject or any other health-related topic, readers can turn to the Guide to Health Literacy section for practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the Internet.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-7651-2313-3 (9798765123133)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Bernadette H. Schell is a well-published professor in the human-computer interaction domain. She is a professor emerita in the Faculty of Management at Laurentian University and an adjunct professor in the Graduate Faculty of Business and IT at Ontario Tech University, both in Ontario, Canada.
Content
Series Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Guide to Health Literacy
Common Misconceptions about Healthy Technology Use
1. Antisocial teens are the only people negatively affected by the over-use of technology
2. Firewalls and antivirus software are effective at keeping your computer and information safe
3. The safety features built into social networking websites protect users from cyberbullying and cyberharassment
4. Doing a "digital detox" is only beneficial for people who are truly addicted to the Internet
5. The only way to effectively fight technology over-use is to go "cold turkey" and stop using devices altogether
Questions and Answers
The Negative Impact of Technology Over-Use on Mental Health, Relationships, and Achievement
1. Is the Internet addictive?
2. How do you know if you are using the Internet, social media, or online games too much? How do you know if you need professional help to deal with this problem?
3. What are the different kinds of Internet over-use, and are some more concerning than others?
4. How much screen time is considered healthy?
5. What is FOMO, and how does it impact our use of technology?
6. Can overusing technology cause or worsen anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions?
7. What is appearance-related social media consciousness, and how can it impact your mental health?
8. What kinds of psychological or psychiatric conditions are typically found in people who over-use technology?
9. How does technology over-use negatively impact relationships in real life?
10. What is phubbing?
11. How does technology over-use negatively impact academic performance?
12. How does technology over-use negatively impact employment and job performance?
13. Is technology use always bad for mental and social health?
The Negative Impact of Technology Over-Use on Physical Health and Safety
14. What is digital eye strain?
15. What is "tech neck"?
16. How does over-using technology negatively affect sleep?
17. What other ways can technology over-use negatively impact your physical health?
18. What are cyberbullying and cyberharassment? What should you do if you're a target?
19. What user safety features are built into social media and messaging apps?
20. What is hate speech, and how can you protect yourself from it online?
Protecting Your Money and Identity Online
21. What laws exist in the United States to safeguard your finances, identity, and medical records online?
22. Is it safe to use public wi-fi?
23. What is phishing, and how can you spot a fake email or text message?
24. What is the difference between phishing and spamming?
25. What should you do if you think you've been the victim of online fraud?
26. How can you protect yourself from becoming a victim of online identity theft?
27. What is a data breach and how can you protect yourself after one has occurred?
28. What is a ransom attack? How can you protect yourself, and what should you do if you become a target of a ransom attack?
29. What is the Dark Web, and how is it different from the Deep Web?
Privacy, Piracy, and Fake News Online
30. What are cookies, and how do websites use them?
31. What is personally identifiable information (PII), and how do companies use it?
32. Can your smartphone track where you go, and who might be using this information?
33. Should you be concerned about your privacy or security when you interact with friends in social media sites?
34. What are targeted ads?
35. What purpose do Terms of Service (ToS) associated with social networking sites serve?
36. What is sexting? Is it illegal to send sexts?
37. What can you do if you're receiving unwanted sexts?
38. What should you do if you receive obscene messages from someone online?
39. What are piracy websites and who uses them?
40. Is it illegal to share your streaming service logins with friends or family?
41. Is it illegal to download and share copyrighted files like songs or movies?
42. How can you spot fake news and conspiracy theories, and is there a way to prevent individuals or websites from spreading misinformation?
Addressing Technology Over-Use
43. What does "being mindful about technology use" really mean?
44. What exactly is a "digital detox," and what are the costs and benefits?
45. What is the Digital Detox Manifesto?
46. What is Internet and Tech Addicts Anonymous (ITAA)?
47. What is Camp Grounded, who goes there, and why?
48. Are structured digital detox programs like Camp Grounded or digital detox holidays really effective at changing technology over-use?
49. How do I find a therapist to help me create a better relationship with technology?
50. Can you complete a digital detox regimen by yourself? How?
51. Is regularly unplugging for, say, a religious Shabbat a form of digital detox?
52. Is it possible to receive online help from an expert so I can better manage my technology use?
53. What are some technology-based tools or apps that can help you limit your screen time, online gaming, or social media use?
54. How can I get off my phone and be more present when I'm in social situations?
55. Is "quiet quitting" a form of digital detox?
56. How do you establish better work-life boundaries to reduce the amount of time you spend "plugged in" to work after hours?
57. What work-life balance and well-being maintenance lessons were learned during the
Case Studies
1. Barbara's Time Online is Hurting Her Mental Health
2. Bob and His School are Targets of a Ransomware Attack
3. Jeff Experiences "Sextortion" Online
4. Ben is Addicted to Online Games
5. Popi Uses an App to Help Reduce her Social Media Use
Glossary
Directory of Resources
Index
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Guide to Health Literacy
Common Misconceptions about Healthy Technology Use
1. Antisocial teens are the only people negatively affected by the over-use of technology
2. Firewalls and antivirus software are effective at keeping your computer and information safe
3. The safety features built into social networking websites protect users from cyberbullying and cyberharassment
4. Doing a "digital detox" is only beneficial for people who are truly addicted to the Internet
5. The only way to effectively fight technology over-use is to go "cold turkey" and stop using devices altogether
Questions and Answers
The Negative Impact of Technology Over-Use on Mental Health, Relationships, and Achievement
1. Is the Internet addictive?
2. How do you know if you are using the Internet, social media, or online games too much? How do you know if you need professional help to deal with this problem?
3. What are the different kinds of Internet over-use, and are some more concerning than others?
4. How much screen time is considered healthy?
5. What is FOMO, and how does it impact our use of technology?
6. Can overusing technology cause or worsen anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions?
7. What is appearance-related social media consciousness, and how can it impact your mental health?
8. What kinds of psychological or psychiatric conditions are typically found in people who over-use technology?
9. How does technology over-use negatively impact relationships in real life?
10. What is phubbing?
11. How does technology over-use negatively impact academic performance?
12. How does technology over-use negatively impact employment and job performance?
13. Is technology use always bad for mental and social health?
The Negative Impact of Technology Over-Use on Physical Health and Safety
14. What is digital eye strain?
15. What is "tech neck"?
16. How does over-using technology negatively affect sleep?
17. What other ways can technology over-use negatively impact your physical health?
18. What are cyberbullying and cyberharassment? What should you do if you're a target?
19. What user safety features are built into social media and messaging apps?
20. What is hate speech, and how can you protect yourself from it online?
Protecting Your Money and Identity Online
21. What laws exist in the United States to safeguard your finances, identity, and medical records online?
22. Is it safe to use public wi-fi?
23. What is phishing, and how can you spot a fake email or text message?
24. What is the difference between phishing and spamming?
25. What should you do if you think you've been the victim of online fraud?
26. How can you protect yourself from becoming a victim of online identity theft?
27. What is a data breach and how can you protect yourself after one has occurred?
28. What is a ransom attack? How can you protect yourself, and what should you do if you become a target of a ransom attack?
29. What is the Dark Web, and how is it different from the Deep Web?
Privacy, Piracy, and Fake News Online
30. What are cookies, and how do websites use them?
31. What is personally identifiable information (PII), and how do companies use it?
32. Can your smartphone track where you go, and who might be using this information?
33. Should you be concerned about your privacy or security when you interact with friends in social media sites?
34. What are targeted ads?
35. What purpose do Terms of Service (ToS) associated with social networking sites serve?
36. What is sexting? Is it illegal to send sexts?
37. What can you do if you're receiving unwanted sexts?
38. What should you do if you receive obscene messages from someone online?
39. What are piracy websites and who uses them?
40. Is it illegal to share your streaming service logins with friends or family?
41. Is it illegal to download and share copyrighted files like songs or movies?
42. How can you spot fake news and conspiracy theories, and is there a way to prevent individuals or websites from spreading misinformation?
Addressing Technology Over-Use
43. What does "being mindful about technology use" really mean?
44. What exactly is a "digital detox," and what are the costs and benefits?
45. What is the Digital Detox Manifesto?
46. What is Internet and Tech Addicts Anonymous (ITAA)?
47. What is Camp Grounded, who goes there, and why?
48. Are structured digital detox programs like Camp Grounded or digital detox holidays really effective at changing technology over-use?
49. How do I find a therapist to help me create a better relationship with technology?
50. Can you complete a digital detox regimen by yourself? How?
51. Is regularly unplugging for, say, a religious Shabbat a form of digital detox?
52. Is it possible to receive online help from an expert so I can better manage my technology use?
53. What are some technology-based tools or apps that can help you limit your screen time, online gaming, or social media use?
54. How can I get off my phone and be more present when I'm in social situations?
55. Is "quiet quitting" a form of digital detox?
56. How do you establish better work-life boundaries to reduce the amount of time you spend "plugged in" to work after hours?
57. What work-life balance and well-being maintenance lessons were learned during the
Case Studies
1. Barbara's Time Online is Hurting Her Mental Health
2. Bob and His School are Targets of a Ransomware Attack
3. Jeff Experiences "Sextortion" Online
4. Ben is Addicted to Online Games
5. Popi Uses an App to Help Reduce her Social Media Use
Glossary
Directory of Resources
Index