Impact of Digital Technology on Wellbeing

This research focuses on the impact of digital technology on the wellbeing of individuals. It explores the concept of digital wellbeing, the positive and negative effects of digital technologies on health, and the importance of digital wellbeing. The research aims to identify the impact of digital technology on the wellbeing of human beings.

Unit 6: Managing a Successful Computing Project
Impact of Digital Technology on Our Wellbeing
Session: February 2020
1

Table of Contents
Introduction...............................................................................................................................................3
Aims & objective....................................................................................................................................3
AIM..............................................................................................................................................3
Research objectives:.....................................................................................................................3
Research Questions......................................................................................................................3
Project Management Plan........................................................................................................................3
Cost.........................................................................................................................................................4
Scope.......................................................................................................................................................4
Time........................................................................................................................................................4
Quality....................................................................................................................................................4
Communication.......................................................................................................................................4
Risk.........................................................................................................................................................4
Resource..................................................................................................................................................4
Work Breakdown structure & Gantt chart....................................................................................4
Literature Review......................................................................................................................................8
Concept of digital technologies by making use of literature review.............................................8
Impact of digital technologies on health of people.......................................................................8
Importance of digital wellbeing....................................................................................................8
Methodology..............................................................................................................................................9
Quantitative & Qualitative research methods..........................................................................................9
Qualitative Method.......................................................................................................................9
Quantitative Method.....................................................................................................................9
Sampling......................................................................................................................................9
Reliability and accuracy of sources of data collection..................................................................9
Techniques for identification of accuracy.....................................................................................9
Research finding and analysis................................................................................................................11
Conclusion and Recommendations........................................................................................................18
Self-Reflection..........................................................................................................................................19
The value of project management...............................................................................................19
References................................................................................................................................................20
Appendices...............................................................................................................................................22
Appendix A: Log Book.........................................................................................................................22
Appendix B : Questionnaire Return......................................................................................................22
Appendix C: Questionnaire data............................................................................................................24
2

Introduction
Digital wellbeing refers to term that is being utilised by device manufacturers, researchers and
health professionals for illustrating concept that when humans makes use of technology then the
experience must support physical as well as mental health in measurable manner (Digital Wellbeing,
2020). As per Alicja Shah. Digital wellbeing is understanding and identifying the positive and
negative impacts of engaging with digital activities and being aware of ways to manage and
control these to improve wellbeing (Defining digital wellbeing, 2020). This research is based on
initiative made by Google for understanding tech usage that will assist within back controlling of life of
individuals. This report comprises of aims along with objectives on the basis of this entire research will
be carried out. In addition to this, project management plan, Gantt chart and WBS will also be discussed
so that research can be carried out in en amplified manner.
Aims & objective
Digital wellbeing refers to aggregation of various aspects that comprises of data applications,
insight, content and many more aspects that are designed for assisting individuals to live part of their life
into perspective (Cameron and et. al, 2019). The rationale behind this is to acknowledge the harsh impact
of internet as well as smartphone on people. There are enhanced mental health issues like depression and
anxiety in teens due to these aspects. This has primarily amplified through prominence of social media
that makes them spend less time to live their life and try to explore others life. This is often referred to as
fear of missing out or FOMO. This report is based on identification of impact of digital technologies on
wellbeing of individuals. In this context researcher have developed relevant aims along with objectives,
they are specified beneath:
AIM
Research Aim: To identify the impact of digital technology on wellbeing of human beings.
A little bit more explanation
Research objectives:
 To acknowledge the concept of digital technologies by using literature review
 To determine the probable impact of digital technologies on health of people.
 To scrutinise the importance of digital wellbeing as well as its attainment by usage of research
methods.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of digital technologies use literature review?
 What is the probable influence of digital technologies on health of people?
 Examine the significance of digital wellbeing and its attainment by usage of research methods?
3

Scope
The concept of digital wellbeing is new about which people are still not aware and they considers
that digital technology do not have pessimistic impact on their health. Thus, the scope of this research is
wide as it will provide an insight into concept of digital wellbeing along with impact that will be creates
on individuals. In future also, there is a probability that enhanced work can be done as this is an emerging
concept. The major limitation associated with this research is time in which it has to be completed but an
effort is being made through which it is tried that all the probable aspects can be completed.
Project Management Plan
Project management implies blue print or written document that comprises of all activities which
are needed by researcher for completion of project efficaciously (Cecchinato and et. al, 2019). This is
crucial for researcher to formulate a document that will enable them to carry out research in relevant way.
Some of the essential aspects related with this are specified below:
Cost: It illustrates the financial funding or amount that is essential for researcher to conduct
distinct tasks related with research project. To complete the project successfully, the cost needed is
around £ 250 and for completion of project activities this is £ 400 approximately.
Scope: This is liable for investigation to attaining insight related with distinct initiatives that are
being associated with digital wellbeing of humans. This research will aid associates within carrying out
investigation reports with reference to such kind of research.
Time: It denotes time outline which is crucial for researcher to complete all the operations of
project. While development of project executive action plans, time required to complete them must be
analysed. It will be accomplished within time frame of 7 months.
Quality: This is crucial for researcher to render higher quality research. For carrying out diverse
activities associated with research in an adequate manner, researcher has to gather precise and suitable
information (Devito and et. al, 2019). Quality of data research aids within formulation of better decisions.
Communication: Researcher has to interact with different people with intent to assemble
information. Communication needs to be supportive through which relevant and accurate decisions can be
taken o in context of this research.
Risk: It is mandatory for researcher to determine as well as research on diverse dangers which
can create an influence on performance of project. The major issue is lack of finance, time management
and many more.
Resource: This is critical for researcher to possess all the adequate resources which are needed to
accomplish all the tasks accurately (Grimes and White, 2019). The primary resources needed are
techniques along with tools for doing all the tasks in an adequate manner.
4

Work Breakdown structure & Gantt chart
Gant Chart: It refers to chart that is being adopted via investigators for development of activities related
with time in an effectual way. This is proposed by Henry Gant that aids researcher to ensure that project
will be completed on given time duration.
5

6

7

Work Breakdown structure: This technique is being utilised by researcher for dividing critical
activities within smaller tasks by which they can be conducted as per desired standards. In this case,
researcher segregates task into chunks which will make it easy to complete it.
8

Literature Review
Concept of digital technologies by making use of literature review
According to Lee and Kim (2019), digital technology denotes systems, resources, tools and
devices which generate process and store data. They are liable for enabling enhanced amount of data that
is compressed within small storage devices which can be transported as well as preserved. Literature
review is being used to understand the work of other authors in context of their contributions in digital
technologies and what is being analysed by them. This will aid researcher to acknowledge and have
understanding related with the concept. It has altered the ways in which people work, learn and
communicate with others. Along with this, the speed of transmission has also amplified which makes it
easy to interact (Lee and Kim, 2019). The examples of digital technology include online games, social
media and mobile devices. This also enables individuals to reach maximum people irrespective of their
physical locations and time. Basically, it denotes an umbrella term that illustrates computer based
products as well as solution. This means using applications or algorithms for solving problems
even when computers are being utilised for developing solution in past. It makes various
activities simple within the organisation like transmission of data, electronic and technological
equipments and many more.
Impact of digital technologies on health of people
As per McAlaney and et. al (2020), there is both positive and negative impact of digital
technologies on individuals with respect to ways in which they utilises them. In context of affirmative,
people can learn a lot like they can have online courses, read news and many more aspects. This will lead
them to enhance their knowledge with respect to activities that are conducted worldwide and they can
stay updated with various aspects like sports, news, war and various others. In addition to this, there are
also pessimistic influences like enhanced use of mobile devices will definitely has adverse impact on
health of people such as dryness in eyes, stress, anxiety, depression are some aspects but there are many
more (McAlaney and et. al, 2020). This also increases frustration which hampers their normal life and
leads to FOMO. But the pessimistic influence can be minimised by restricting excess of usage of digital
devices though they seems to be tempting but it has to be avoided as this creates a strong negative impact
on mental state of individuals.
Importance of digital wellbeing and its attainment by usage of research
methods
According to Oostra and et. al (2019), digital wellbeing implies term that is being utilised by
researchers, health professionals and manufacturers of devices to illustrate the concept of ways in which
humans communicate with technology. The above section illustrate influence that is being created by
digital technologies which clearly illustrates that adequate measures are needed thorugh which overall
impact can be neglected or minimised. The experience needs to support physical and mental health of
individuals in measureable manner. Its importance is designing of digital technologies in such manner
that they are able to promote healthy usage along with proactive assistance to users through which healthy
lifestyles can be maintained (Oostra and et. al, 2019). This concept is being given to eradicate negative
impacts associated with digital technologies. For this, distinct applications are being developed by making
9

use of certain algorithm that will aid within restricting excess of utilisation of technologies. For this
research methods are being used to attain the precise results within given time frame.
10

Methodology
Quantitative & Qualitative research methods
For carrying out research in relevant way, researcher can opt for diverse techniques as well as tools
through which they can gather data for completion of entire research precisely. Quantitative and
qualitative methods are utilised by researcher for doing so. They are specified beneath:
Qualitative Method
It denotes method which assists to have non-numerical information that is required for completion of
research in relevant way. All the information is assembled with support of this tool are in an enhanced
quality and researcher can depend on this information so that it can be interpreted accordingly (Roffarello
and De Russis, 2019).
Quantitative Method
This is utilised for collection of numerical, statistical as well as mathematical information for
accomplishment of research in precise way. For this, researcher makes use of polls, surveys,
questionnaire and there are many more methods through which this can be done.
With respect to this study researcher can make use of quantitative methods as it enable to collect
numerical information in accurate and authentic manner.
Sampling
For identification of impact of digital technologies on health of individuals, random sampling will be
utilised by researcher in which sample space taken is 40. Though its assistance, affirmative results can be
attained in accurate manner (Svensson, 2019).
Reliability and accuracy of sources of data collection.
Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection are useful which will aid within
determination of precise as well as accurate information. Qualitative method will assist within assortment
of adequate data through which enhanced decisions can be formulated (Vukelić and Čizmić, 2019).
Quantitative methods of data collection provides statistical information related with particular study like
number of hours that are being spent by an individual on their devices will aid within having numerical
value through which probable impact of digital technologies can be anticipated up to some extent.
Sources, that are being utilised for data collection takes less time and are also cost efficacious.
Techniques for identification of accuracy
It is important of researcher to opt for most relevant tool as well as technique that will aid within
determination of authenticity and accuracy of information (Alibasa, Calvo and Yacef, 2019). Applications
are being designed by organization and initiative made by Google can be regarded as an affirmative that
will lead firm to have relevant benefits. It is crucial to carry out research activities in a precise way
through which desired results can be attained. Within this research project, researcher has taken into
consideration survey and questionnaire for gathering more sufficient information. This assisted them
11

within identification of issues which occurred while formulation of any decision related with topic or
research. Recommendations are being furnished with respect to data that is gathered as well as analyzed.
Through creation of relevant knowledge people can be made aware of features provided within their
devices and also firms can make different initiative for addressing these aspects. This will enable to
improvise overall wellbeing of people and they can emphasize on other perspectives of life.
12

Research finding and analysis
Theme 1: Concept of digital wellbeing
Q1) Are you aware about concept of digital wellbeing? Frequency
Yes 5
No 35
Interpretation: Digital wellbeing denotes measures through which probable impact of digital
technologies can be minimised. But 35 respondents are not aware of this and only 5 respondents have
knowledge related with this concept.
Theme 2: Impact of digital technologies
Q2) Do you that excessive usage of smart devices like phone, tablets, etc
creates impact on mental health?
Frequency
Yes 33
No 7
Interpretation: There is intense impact of digital technologies on health of well being like stress,
depression, anxiety and many more. As per 33 respondents there is intense impact on health but 7
respondents think that there is no impact due to lack of knowledge or they are not addicted to these
devices.
Theme 3: Hours spent on devices
Q3) How many hours in a day are spent by you on different devices? Frequency
5 8
1 3
6 9
More than 7 20
13

8
3
9
20 a) 5
b) 1
c) 6
d) More than 7
Interpretation: As per 20 respondents they spend more then 7 hours which makes them more
prone to certain health issues which can be avoided otherwise. 3 respondents use their device for 1 hour;
it will not have any impact on their wellbeing.
Theme 4: Impact of excessive use of digital technologies
Q4) What is the impact of extreme utilisation of smart or digital devices? Frequency
Positive Impact 1
Negative Impact 32
Neutral Impact 7
14

1
32
7
a) Positive Impact
b) Negative Impact
c) Neutral Impact
Interpretation: The people who use the devices for fewer hours say that there is either neutral or positive
impact as per 7 and 1 respondent respectively. On the other hand 32 people depicts that there is enhanced
negative influence as they make use of excessive time.
Theme 5: Affirmative influence
Q5) What are the positive influence of making use of digital technology? Frequency
Development of knowledge 15
Communication 25
15

15
25
a) Development of
knowledge
b) Communication
Interpretation: 15 respondents feels that digital technologies aids within learning new things in different
context. On the other 25 use them for communicating with others and feels that it provides effective ways
to interact irrespective of distance that prevails within.
Theme 6: Results of enhanced usage
Q6) What are consequences of excessive usage of digital technology? Frequency
Stress on eyes 2
Mental health 5
Anxiety and depression 5
Wastage of time 3
All of the above 25
16

2 5
5
3
25
a) Stress on eyes
b) Mental health
c) Anxiety and
depression
d) Wastage of time
e) All of the above
Interpretation: There is wide range of consequences and different respondents have different opinions. 25
respondents think that it leads to stress on eyes, anxiety, depression and waste of time.
Theme 7: Awareness about initiative of Google
Q7) Are you aware about Google’s initiative about digital wellbeing? Frequency
Yes 4
No 36
Interpretation: 36 respondents do not know about Google initiative for digital wellbeing and only
4 respondents are aware about this concept. The Gmail and Google Photo mange all the aspects in related
with these concepts in an adequate manner.
Theme 8: Digital wellbeing
Q8) What is digital wellbeing? Frequency
Elimination of making use of mobile devices 5
Eradicate FOMO 10
Renders features for avoiding excessive hours in smart devices 25
17

5
10
25
a) Elimination of making
use of mobile devices
b) Eradicate FOMO
c) Renders features for
avoiding excessive hours in
smart devices
Interpretation: 5 respondents think that digital wellbeing means mobile devices will not be utilised but
this is not so. 25 people said it means features will be provided which will eliminate the extra hours spent
on devices.
Theme 9: Impact on Digital wellbeing
Q 9) What impact will be created by digital wellbeing? Frequency
Acknowledge habits 7
Emphasise on what matter most 4
Have balance with family 7
All of the above 22
18

7
4
7
22
a) Acknowledge habits
b) Emphasise on what
matter most
c) Have balance with
family
d) All of the above
Interpretation: The overall impact created by digital wellbeing will be affirmative on individuals. As per
22 respondents, it will assist within understanding their habits, focus on what matter to them and have a
balance in work as well as family.
Theme 10: Recommendations
Q10) Provide recommendations to deal impact created by digital technologies.
Interpretation: It is recommended that firms should bring in-built feature within their devices as
there is probability thatpeople might not be aware of this information. In addition to this respondents must
acknowledge this aspect and must have different applications through which they can eliminate excessive
usage of technologies.
Analysis
It is has been identified that digital technologies have enhanced impact on the ways they are being
utilized by public either for social interaction (mostly), learning new things or playing games. These
aspects make people FOMO along with this pessimistic impact is being created on their mindset and their
mental health. For dealing with these concept, digital wellbeing was introduced with aim to decline the
over usage of digital technologies. This will lead to eliminate maximum of agnostic influences by
restricting them. It will assist individuals within emphasizing on their other activities like career, family
and what matter them the most. Thus, it can be said that the overall impact of digital wellbeing will be
affirmative.
19

Conclusion and Recommendations
From above research, it has been found that the mental wellbeing of individuals is based on their
activities. By making excessive usage of digital technologies they zone out themselves from rest of the
world and when they do not use their devices they get frustrated. This leads to creation of pessimistic
impact, anxiety, depression, pain eyes and many more. For this, it is necessary that relevant steps are
being taken up by organisation for elimination of addiction of individuals like by adding features through
which things can be organised by itself within their devices. This may lead to reduction of time spend
within. It has been determined that each researcher must interact data with team members so that
conclusion can be drawn in an adequate manner. Furthermore, project management plan has to be
developed through the assistance of which objectives and goals can be attained in precise and relevant
way.
Researcher has given some recommendations with respect to influence of digital technologies so that
overall impact of these devices can be eradicated up to some extent. Some crucial recommendations have
been specified beneath:
Most of the firms have to take initiative for the wellbeing of individuals by developing applications or
bringing in in-built features which can monitor time being spent by them on smart devices.
Google has provided some advanced features within gmail and Google’s photos have artificial
intelligence library management system which manages photos of individual. Firms need to make some
kind of in-built functionalities through which the phone can be managed automatically.
Apart from this, it will aid individuals to have digital wellbeing through which they can concentrate on
other essentials of life instead of working on smart digital devices for hours.
20

Self-Reflection
While carrying out research, it has been identified by me that it is crucial for researcher to possess
enhanced qualities for making sure that all the activities are carried out in an appropriate way. The
critical task was to have interaction with respondents due to low confidence levels which created
pessimistic impact on overall research. But at the end of this research, team working and communication
skills have been enhanced that will aid in future to carry out research more precisely. In addition to this,
there are few restrictions that impacted conclusion of research; they are restricted resources, time and
funds. All these create a pessimistic impact while carrying out research as time was managed effectively
though there were certain challenges which I faced like collection of information as people were not
having knowledge related digital wellbeing which took more time to collect it. But when other aspects
were done then it was ensured that project is completed on time with adequate and precise results. On the
whole communication was asset that assisted within having lots of information both from respondents and
within the team for delivering the work.
The value of project management
The process associated with management of projects is very critical and its motive is to accomplish
relevant objectives and targets in specified time frame. It is regarded as important for researcher for
building up and creating effective management processes related with project through which it can be
accomplished on peculiar time frame (Cameron and et. al, 2019). This involves different activities
through which research can be completed in precise and ensure that all the tasks are done within time.
Limitations
There were certain restrictions which have declined overall influence of the project. The major
factor was time which declined the kind of information that is gathered. Though information was
collected but due to lack of time there is a probability that some crucial aspects might have been skipped.
In addition to this, there was lack of coordination among individuals or team due to which it became
difficult to acknowledge what all has been done and what is still left or there can be a delay. If these
aspects were managed then there is a possibility that results attained would have been better.
21

References
Alibasa, M.J., Calvo, R.A. and Yacef, K., 2019. Sequential Pattern Mining Suggests Wellbeing
Supportive Behaviors. IEEE Access, 7, pp.130133-130143.
Cameron, G. and et. al, 2019, March. Using Digital Interventions to empower people to take control of
their mental wellbeing. In 5th annual CBC digital health behaviour change conference.
Cecchinato, M.E. and et. al, 2019, May. Designing for digital wellbeing: a research & practice agenda.
In Extended Abstracts of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-8).
Devito, M.A. and et. al, 2019, November. Social Technologies for Digital Wellbeing Among
Marginalized Communities. In Conference Companion Publication of the 2019 on Computer Supported
Cooperative Work and Social Computing (pp. 449-454).
Grimes, A. and White, D., 2019. Digital inclusion and wellbeing in New Zealand. Available at SSRN
3492833.
Lascau, L. and et. al, 2019. Why Are Cross-Device Interactions Important When It Comes To Digital
Wellbeing?.
Lee, U. and Kim, J., 2019, May. Interaction Restraint Framework for Digital Wellbeing. In ACM CHI
Workshop: Designing for Digital Wellbeing. ACM.
McAlaney, J. and et. al, 2020, April. Predictors of Acceptance and Rejection of Online Peer Support
Groups as a Digital Wellbeing Tool. In World Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (pp.
95-107). Springer, Cham.
Oostra, D.L. and et. al, 2019, October. REsilience Monitor for INformal Caregivers in Dementia
(REMIND): Digital Monitoring of Informal Caregivers Wellbeing to Prevent Crises. In Dementia Lab
Conference (pp. 161-168). Springer, Cham.
Roffarello, A.M. and De Russis, L., 2019. The Race Towards Digital Wellbeing: Issues and
Opportunities. In CHI (p. 386).
Svensson, D., 2019. Digital wellbeing, according to Google.
Vukelić, M. and Čizmić, S., 2019, May. Employee wellbeing in the digital age. In 2019 Zooming
Innovation in Consumer Technologies Conference (ZINC) (pp. 100-102). IEEE.
Online
Digital Wellbeing. 2020. [Online]. Available through: < https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/digital-
wellbeing>.
Defining digital wellbeing, 2020. [Online]. Available through: <
https://digitalcapability.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2019/09/03/defining-digital-wellbeing/#:~:text=
22

%E2%80%9CDigital%20wellbeing%20considers%20the%20impact,mental%2C%20physical
%20and%20emotional%20health.&text=This%20means%20understanding%20and
%20identifying,control%20these%20to%20improve%20wellbeing.>.
23

Appendices
Appendix A: Log Book
Project Diary/Logbook
Name
Project title Impact of Digital Technologies on our Wellbeing
Date
Work achieved this week Research Methodology is being carried out
Problems encountered Time limit and resources for understanding work of other authors
Work planned for next week Data collection
Project plan status
(on, ahead, behind)
Research methodology is being carried then data will be collected,
analysed and discussion & findings will be illustrated with respect
to the topic.
Supervisor comments
Supervisor signature
Appendix B : Questionnaire Return
Questionnaire
Q1) Are you aware about concept of digital wellbeing?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you that excessive usage of smart devices like phone, tablets, etc creates impact on mental
health?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) How many hours in a day are spent by you on different devices?
a) 5
b) 1
c) 6
d) More than 7
Q4) What is the impact of extreme utilisation of smart or digital devices?
a) Positive Impact
b) Negative Impact
c) Neutral Impact
24

Q5) What are the positive influence of making use of digital technology?
a) Development of knowledge
b) Communication
Q6) What are consequences of excessive usage of digital technology?
a) Stress on eyes
b) Mental health
c) Anxiety and depression
d) Wastage of time
e) All of the above
Q7) Are you aware about Google’s initiative about digital wellbeing?
a) Yes
b) No
Q8) What is digital wellbeing?
a) Elimination of making use of mobile devices
b) Eradicate FOMO
c) Renders features for avoiding excessive hours in smart devices
Q 9) What impact will be created by digital wellbeing with respect to utilisation of over use of
technologies?
 Acknowledge habits
 Emphasise on what matter most
 Have balance with family
 All of the above
Q10) Provide recommendations to deal impact created by digital technologies.
25

Appendix C: Questionnaire data
26

27
3 5 8
1 3
6 9
More than 7 20
4 Positive Impact 1
Negative Impact 32
Neutral Impact 7
5
Development of
knowledge
15
Communication 25
6 Stress on eyes 2
Mental health 5
Anxiety and
depression
5
Wastage of time 3
All of the above 25
8
Elimination of
making use of
mobile devices
5
Eradicate FOMO 10
Renders features for
avoiding excessive
hours in smart
devices
25
5
1
6
More than 7
Positive Impact
Negative Impact
Neutral Impact
Development of
knowledge
Communication
Stress on eyes
Mental health
Anxiety and depression
Wastage of time
All of the above
Elimination of making
use of mobile devices
Eradicate FOMO
Renders features for
avoiding excessive
hours in smart devices

28
9
Acknowledge habits 7
Emphasise on what
matter most
4
Have balance with
family
7
All of the above 22
Acknowledge habits
Emphasise on what
matter most
Have balance with
family