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| The Digital Paradox: Why Smartphones Haven't Made Us Happier and How to Reclaim Our Well-Being |
| Saturday, May 24, 2025 |
| 3:00 PM–3:50 PM |
| Marriott Marquis, M2 Level, Marquis Salon 6 |
| Area: LBD; Domain: Basic Research |
| Chair: Jennifer Lynne Bruzek (The University of Alabama in Huntsville) |
| Presenting Author: KOSTADIN KUSHLEV (Georgetown University) |
| Abstract: Some researchers have argued that smartphones and social media have ruined an entire generation, while others have concluded that the effect of digital media on well-being is about as negligible as eating potatoes. But unlike potatoes, our pervasive connection to the internet affords us convenient access to unlimited information, entertainment, and social connection. Why, then, isn’t the ubiquitous access to digital media making us happier (than potatoes)? In this talk, I will examine how and why smartphones and social media affect well-being and mental health both in adolescents and adults. Drawing on my own research, I will argue that considering the opportunity costs of digital media is key to understanding why our amazingly useful digital devices have failed to make us happier. Finally, I will explore how we can improve our digital well-being by presenting emerging evidence on the efficacy of digital detox interventions. This exploration of digital media's impact on well-being will provide insights into creating a healthier relationship with technology and optimizing its benefits while mitigating its negative effects. |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
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| KOSTADIN KUSHLEV (Georgetown University) |
 Dr. Kushlev investigates how constant internet connectivity affects health and well-being. Dr. Kushlev aims to identify the hidden costs of new technologies—from email and smartphones to social media and ChatGPT. His work shows that considering the opportunity costs of digital media use is key to understanding why our amazingly useful digital devices have failed to make us happier. In other words, it is essential to understand not only what people are doing on their digital devices but also when, where, and with whom they are using them. Dr. Kushlev received his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia in 2015 and was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Virginia from 2015–2018. Dr. Kushlev has been an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University since 2018. Dr. Kushlev has written for The New York Times, The Conversation, and Psychology Today, and his work has been covered by other prestigious publications such as The Economist, BBC, NPR, Forbes, Fast Company, Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, and The Washington Post. |
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