The “always on” culture of constant connectivity afforded by the ubiquity of smartphones and social media has profoundly influenced society, reorienting our sense of self and connection to others. This thesis particularly investigates the impact of these technologies on present-day college students, who are among the first to incorporate these tools into their ongoing identity development processes from adolescence into emerging adulthood. Specifically, it explores how the absence of everyday devices during a “digital detox” alters their experiences of self, socialization, and ways of being in the world. Phenomenological analysis through participant observation and interview methods reveals how the digital detox provides an opportunity for these emerging adults, who have grown up predominately using these technologies of virtual extension—values espoused in a culture of constant connection— to recognize the value of embodied experiences. The digital detox experience can encourage the cultivation of more digitally mindful media and technology use.

Social network sites (SNS) were developed during the 90’s and got popularized in the mid 2010’s. SNSs are social platforms, where users can create a profile, add a network of contacts and communicate online. The LGBTQ+ community relies heavily on SNSs for information, exploration of identity, social support and community, but due to their marginalized status, they are more prone to victimization online. Whereas anonymity can protect users from bodily harm, it can’t protect against harassment and hatred, which is why it’s important to emphasize on user-centered design for marginalized communities within HCI. The objective with this study is to define design suggestions for future SNSs, based on the values of LGBTQ+ users. Two focus groups recruited from the local LGBTQ+ community in Berlin, consisting of seven participants in total, gathered in person. The focus groups discussed open ended questions around the topics of: safety, anonymity, accountability, social support and community online, seen from a queer perspective. The results of this study had correlations with prior research within HCI research and paints a picture of the differences between the “digital well- being” norm and the severity of the threats affecting the digital wellbeing of marginalized users. In conclusion, HCI and digital well-being research needs to be elaborated on, in regards to marginalized communities and their benefits and challenges of SNSs use and how that could be incorporated in a value sensitive design approach for future development.

Organisations' digitalisation has had positive and negative effects on the work environment. Regardless, the digital work environment can affect employees' digital well-being. By studying how lecturers at Swedish universities feel that their digital well-being is affected by the digital work environment, the universities can proactively work for a good work environment. This quantitative survey studies essential factors for the well-being of lecturers in the digital work environment at Swedish universities. The variation is explained using the Job Demands-Resources model (JD-R) and the Demand-Control-Support model.  The most important factors for digital well-being that have emerged in this study are to have a positive attitude towards digital systems, to have digital competence and to minimize negative impact; this is also confirmed by previous research in other environments.