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Digital media has had a huge impact on my life. Using a laptop many hours a day because of the virtual classes resulted in me wearing glasses. The problem was that I was off the virtual classes and then I used another screen for social media for a long time.

Solution:

I started listening to podcasts on social media instead of looking at the screen. This was an excellent idea because not only did I prevent my eyes from being more damaged, nut also practiced English in a very nice way.

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Technology has always shaped how bodies and health are known and understood - from x-rays to blood tests. But in recent years, the rise of more personal digital tech has complicated that relationship. Through the growth of AI and health devices, influencer cultures on TikTok and Instagram, surveillance tools and health profiling from our digital habits, and daily life being increasingly mediated from behind the screen, has accelerated the opportunities and harms of digital tech shaping our health in everyday life. From 'tech addiction' to influencer culture , 'The Digital Health Self' explores how the tech and platforms we use prescribe to us what is healthy or unhealthy in today's digital society. Influencers, whether qualified or not, tell us what to eat and how to exercise. Your Fitbit nudges you to keep moving if you have not hit your 10,000 steps each day. Recommendation algorithms and targeted advertising tell us what to services (gym) or products to buy (such as clothing or certain foods) to achieve optimal 'health' and have a better life. In this book I explore these problematic intersections of digital capitalism, surveillance and health. Providing insights into these challenges whilst highlighting the importance of living well with technology.

Today, following an influencer's lifestyle guidance can also be considered a component of one's digital health practices, as much as their exercise tracking on Fitbit. However, following the guidance of unqualified influencers can be hugely harmful to your mental health in terms of lifestyle comparisons or self-esteem or body issues it might contribute to. Similarly, following unqualified nutrition or fitness influencers can be hugely detrimental to your physical health if you follow their guidance when not all bodies operate or perform in the same way and have different nutritional and fitness needs. Similarly, following the nudges from your Fitbit or exercise tracker (Garmin or Strava for example) to move further or faster could be damaging to your physical body if overexercising, or when managing an injury. In addition, these nudges prompt a huge amount of stress and subsequent guilt or shame mentally if some activities cannot be undertaken, regardless of how important it might be not to exercise or reach 10K steps. Furthermore, being available 24/7, unable to switch off from our phones, our emails and social media is exhausting and stress-inducing, and managing our everyday life as well as navigating our increasing reliance on this tech is incredibly hard to balance. You are not alone in these challenges; its so hard to switch off from because they are addictive, and they are designed to be that way!

Digital health is now a way of life under the economics of surveillance and platform capitalism, as we all increasingly become autonomous managers of our healthcare via technology, which has only been exacerbated by the COVID- 19 pandemic. The 'digital health self', I argue, is the embodiment of evolving with and navigating our everyday lives, traversing between personal lifestyle choice, shifting neoliberal international healthcare and governmental policies, technological advancements and digital capitalism. Our digital behaviours have become a part of an individual's daily tech habits, and in turn their 'addictive' or compulsive nature, must also be included as part of one's 'digital health'. From adjusting your physical movements, to capturing more steps, to being unable to stop scrolling social media can all now be considered as part of the arsenal of digital economy practices that impact one's health, mentally or physically - and in many instances both!

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AI and social media are becoming more integrated into our lives, but how often do we stop and think about how they affect our health? Dr Rachael Kent's gives us an insight into her latest book THE DIGITAL HEALTH SELF: WELLNESS, TRACKING AND SOCIAL MEDIA' that warns we could be spiralling into a tech health crisis.

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Even though social media has given us many opportunities to be in contact with friends and family, it has sometimes been a source of discomfort to ourselves for comparing our lives to others, making us feel at a disadvantage about our own lives and circumstances.

Solution:

I consider that it is a good idea to think about our personal goals and do something about it, not only waiting for things to happen. Working for what we want and enjoy the process too.

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Improving Mental Health: in the Digital Era

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Even today, I can't find a way to use my devices to help me to have a healthy life. It has been the source of many different pieces of information to do many activities I hadn't known about and for me, it has been more than it is.

Solution:

Stop using the internet as a placebo and use it for more productive activities. I recently discovered a website about DIY for clothing and it has become a very rewarding habit.

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As far as I'm concerned I have a good relationship with myself, but as a result of that my interaction with other people different than my family has reduced considerably. I may have focused only on myself and I have neglected many different aspects of my life.

Solution:

Create situations in which is possible to reconnect with my friends. Socializing makes people aware of different points of view and perspectives. In the end, there is a possibility that one of those relationships creates a connection for a future opportunity.

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I try to be a role model for my students by not using my mobile phone during classes. Even though it doesn't always work, I have to say that it's rewarding to see students who try to do the same. I understand that being digital natives it's a bit too much to ask for such a thing, but most of them understand my point.

Solution:

Show the students the benefits of using the mobile phone in a better way to enhance their learning process. If we show them the tools, they will be able to make the most of it.