This article was originally published in Profectus Magazine.
Our public discourse about technology has become overwhelmingly negative and pessimistic. Media narratives and public commentary primarily highlight technology’s potential harms, such as mental health deterioration, erosion of personal privacy, the rapid spread of misinformation, and social fragmentation. But this is clearly not the whole story. Nearly all Americans now have internet access and smartphones, and they are using these tools in ways that enhance their personal and professional lives.
If we want to address legitimate concerns and optimize our relationship with technology, we need a more balanced conversation that, in addition to focusing on potential harms, also examines and recognizes the meaningful benefits many people derive from their digital experiences. Our research at the Human Flourishing Lab helps shed light on the positive dimensions of technology use that are often overshadowed in public discourse.
