This document discusses the impact of social media and technology on news, health, democracy, and individual well-being. It notes that misinformation spreads rapidly online but can be reduced when tech companies take action. Constant smartphone use is negatively impacting autonomy and mental health. However, more people are seeking to establish better digital boundaries and balance through the concepts of digital wellness and digital equilibrium. The document recommends understanding persuasive design, security, privacy and balancing screen time with offline activities to promote well-being.

1. LEIGH-CHANTELLE
Rotary Club of Brisbane, 15 February, 2021
INTRODUCTIONTOCYBERPSYCHOLOGY,
DIGITALWELLNESS,ANDDIGITALEQUILIBRIUM

2. SOCIAL MEDIA AND NEWS
Need greater awareness of how technology works, why we think/feel/
behave certain ways, and how to balance our technology use
Fake news spreads 6 times faster than accurate news on Twitter, with
falsehoods more likely to be retweeted (MIT)
Online misinformation about election fraud plunged 73% after social
media sites suspended outgoing President Trump and key allies,
underscoring the power of technology companies to limit the
falsehoods poisoning public debate when they act aggressively (Zignal
Labs)

3. SOCIAL MEDIA AND HEALTH
Unregulated social media amplifies conflicting information and
misinformation via algorithms and content designed to amplify attention
- especially YouTube and Facebook (AVAAZ, 2020)
Conspiracism: events orchestrated by powerful and malevolent entities
(Douglas et al., 2019) aka conspiracy beliefs are frequently used to
explain COVID-19 especially online and are fuelling protests, damage,
and violence
Global public health threat as this inhibits health-protective behaviours
(Larson, 2018)

4. SOCIAL MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY
Conscientiousness - collected, orderly, and traditional people who
admire these qualities in their leaders. Adverts about national security
crossing political lines were targeted to those high in both
conscientiousness and agreeableness.
Neurotisicm - measurement of worry. Cambridge Analytica plays to
these anxieties, with adverts emphasising growing international risks
and a need for strong, stable leaders in the USA
These tactics are now standard political marketing
tactics in swaying undecided and anxious voters -
with no US laws to prohibit these practices (Quartz)

5. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY
New area grounded in behavioural science and human
computer research
Combines two of my favourite things, technology and
why we behave, think, and feel certain ways, and how
this can be influenced
Multi-disciplinary e.g., education, law, economics, media
In areas such as cyberbullying, eHealth, cybersecurity
I did my honours thesis on humanoid social robots
interacting with preschoolers
My PhD is to do with behavioural change and
technology acceptance of autonomous vehicles and
blockchain technologies

6. TECHNOLOGY USE
The average smartphone owner
Unlocks their phone 150 times a day (Internet Trends)
Touches their phone 2617 times a day (Dscout)
Spends almost 3 hours a day on their smartphones (Bankmycell)
Will spend an average of almost 5.5 years of their life on social media
(Mediakix)
58% of smartphone users cannot go 1 hour without checking their
phones (CNet)
67% compulsively checking smartphone for messages, alerts, or calls,
even without a ring or vibration prompt (Digital Wellness Institute)

7. AUTONOMY AND TECHNOLOGY
One you pick up your phone, you have a 50% chance of picking your
phone up again within the next three minutes (Digital Wellness Institute)
Poor digital boundaries can turn devices from tools into compulsions.
What it means to live well, have a fair and functional society, to
meaningfully communicate and relate to others are now mediated
through technology. One of the effects of this is people’s autonomy -
their ability to control their own time and space, to think and
understand - all of this is under a great deal of pressure
- Tom Chatfield

8. HOWEVER…
Overwhelm and education is leading to more people wanting
technology balance in their life
63% of consumers try to limit their phone usage (Deloitte) and 43% of
workers turn off their phones to cope with distraction (Udemy)
Digital Wellness is increasing in popularity with 60% of HR officers
planning to increase support for wellbeing and mental health in 2021
(Digital Wellness Institute)

9. DIGITAL WELLNESS
Digital Wellness: optimal state of health, personal fulfilment, and social
satisfaction each individual is capable of achieving when using
technology.
Digital Wellness is no longer a luxury in the work place; it is a business
and lifestyle imperative for organisational performance
Digital Wellness Institute run a 10-week certificate programme - next one
starting in May - use my code: digitalwellnessinstitute.com/link/kKSf1E

10. DIGITAL EQUILIBRIUM
Digital Equilibrium: creating lifelong, healthy
digital habits to thrive online and beyond
Six elements which all need to be
understood and in balance
Identify imbalance, stressors, reactive,
addictive, and unconscious behaviours
Identify, manage, and change negative and
harmful digital behaviours into positive and
healthy digital habits
Pause, Consider, Decide + Cost-Benefit
Analyses

11. Digital Literacy:
Understanding
Data Security
Privacy
Persuasive Design
Mis/Disinformation
Healthy Boundaries & Self-Care:
Understand needs and be able
to express expectations and
boundaries
Mind, body, social, and spiritual
Physical and online
environments
Quality and healthful food
Proper sleep
Movement, breaks, and
exercise
Time outside and in nature
Gratitude, Wellbeing, & Mental
Health

12. Worthwhile
Communication:
Exchange of
information
Technology used to
facilitate (not
replace) interactions
Focus on more
human interactions
Mindful & Conscious
Decision-Making:
Choose where you
direct attention
Intentional
technology use and
less passive use

13. Meaningful Interactions:
Mutual influences
Focus on honest, creative,
inspirational, knowledgeable,
positive people who bring
you joy
Beneficial Relationships:
Connection and support
Comprised of pattern of
quality interactions
Meaningful Interactions can lead
to Beneficial Relationships when
expectations between
individuals are created
Productivity:
Efficiency
Time and energy
management
Work from home
Minimise distractions
Emphasise focus
and goals
Balance of work and
financial goals with
mental, emotional,
physical, social, and
spiritual

14. REMEMBER…

15. WATCH, READ, & LISTEN
The Social Dilemma on Netflix
thesocialdilemma.com
humanetech.com
Your Undivided Attention podcast
Ledger of Harms
demos.org + datasociety.net
Tristan Harris

16. READ ME
Targeted: My inside story of Cambridge Analytica and how Trump, Brexit, and Facebook broke
democracy by Brittany Kaiser; Persuasive Technology: Using computers to change what we think and do
by BJ Fogg; The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The fight for a human future at the new frontier of power
by Shoshana Zuboff; Mindf*ck: Inside Cambridge Analytica’s plot to break the world by Christopher Wylie

17. THANK YOU!
Video will be on YouTube
Slides will be on Slideshare
@leighchantelle
epicentreequilibrium.com // digitalequilibrium.com // leigh-chantelle.com // vivalavegan.net