Verified by Psychology Today

Better Living With Technology

Navigating the profits and pitfalls of modern screen time

Career
Your New Year’s Resolution: Put the Phone Away

Jesse Fox Ph.D. on December 31, 2014

Are you resolving to be a better person this year? Build a new relationship? Increase your work performance? Enhance your creativity? There's one simple step that can help you achieve all of these things: controlling the distracting devices that are interfering with your goals. Learn why it's important to put your phone away and focus on what matters.

Are you resolving to be a better person this year? Build a new relationship? Increase your work performance? Enhance your creativity? There's one simple step that can help you achieve all of these things: controlling the distracting devices that are interfering with your goals. Learn why it's important to put your phone away and focus on what matters.

Friends
Why the Online Trolls Troll

Jesse Fox Ph.D. on August 12, 2014

The online context often leads people to perceive communication differently than in face-to-face interactions.

The online context often leads people to perceive communication differently than in face-to-face interactions.

Media
Why Exes Aren't So "Ex" Anymore

Jesse Fox Ph.D. on February 26, 2014

After a breakup, it's important to assess whether social media are helping or hindering your recovery. Here are tips for healthy social media use in the wake of a breakup.

After a breakup, it's important to assess whether social media are helping or hindering your recovery. Here are tips for healthy social media use in the wake of a breakup.

Relationships
Romantic Attachment and the Dangers of Social Media

Jesse Fox Ph.D. on February 6, 2014

Our attachment style predicts our behavior in romantic relationships as well has how we use technology. Determine your attachment style and get tips on how to use—and not use—social media in your romantic relationship.

Our attachment style predicts our behavior in romantic relationships as well has how we use technology. Determine your attachment style and get tips on how to use—and not use—social media in your romantic relationship.

Self-Harm
Can a Virtual Environment Make You an Environmentalist?

Jesse Fox Ph.D. on January 21, 2014

Ever thought that a video game or virtual world would make you an environmentalist? Cutting down a tree in this virtual forest may make you save paper in the real world. New research shows how emerging technologies can be used to encourage prosocial behavior like conserving paper.

Ever thought that a video game or virtual world would make you an environmentalist? Cutting down a tree in this virtual forest may make you save paper in the real world. New research shows how emerging technologies can be used to encourage prosocial behavior like conserving paper.

Friends
Technology Use During the Holidays

Jesse Fox Ph.D. on December 2, 2013

The holidays are supposed to be a time of togetherness with friends and family, but technology often seems to intervene. Use these tips to keep technology under control during your shared holiday time so everyone can be in the moment and enjoy each other's company. Also, find suggestions for working technology into new, fun holiday traditions.

The holidays are supposed to be a time of togetherness with friends and family, but technology often seems to intervene. Use these tips to keep technology under control during your shared holiday time so everyone can be in the moment and enjoy each other's company. Also, find suggestions for working technology into new, fun holiday traditions.

Jealousy
The Hidden Danger of Social Networks

Jesse Fox Ph.D. on September 3, 2013

People have a tendency to compare themselves to others. Social networking sites like Facebook give us endless opportunities for social comparison. The problem is that we compare our everyday lives to others' edited versions on Facebook. Seeing others' selective self-presentation of their best selves on Facebook can make us feel dissatisfied with our own lives.

People have a tendency to compare themselves to others. Social networking sites like Facebook give us endless opportunities for social comparison. The problem is that we compare our everyday lives to others' edited versions on Facebook. Seeing others' selective self-presentation of their best selves on Facebook can make us feel dissatisfied with our own lives.