Flow theory and digital wellbeing: beyond screentime measure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v8i19.2824Keywords:
Flow theory, Screentime, Digital wellbeing, Mental healthAbstract
Although screentime is linked to various mental health impacts, this metric overlooks the qualitative aspects of digital engagement, including the content, context, and intention behind its use. This article seeks to move beyond the notion of screen time and theoretically investigate the quality of digital technology use. To achieve this, Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi's flow theory is introduced as a theoretical framework to analyze the quality of screen-based experiences. Drawing from this theory, a contrast is drawn between the problematic and adaptive use of digital technologies. This study proposes to transcend the limitations of the screen time metric by examining the quality of digital engagement from the perspective of flow theory. The theoretical analysis presented is highly relevant for platform design, user self-awareness, and digital education, with the ultimate goal of fostering digital well-being.
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