Digital Well-Being

Digital well鈥慴eing is about having a healthy, intentional and balanced relationship with your digital world. This includes social media, messaging apps, streaming, online learning tools, video games, AI tools and your devices overall.听

At CU 糖心传媒, digital well鈥慴eing isn鈥檛 about giving up technology. It鈥檚 about making technology work for you so you can thrive academically, socially and emotionally鈥攂oth on and offline.听

Understanding Digital Well-Being

Digital well鈥慴eing means using technology with purpose, rather than feeling controlled by it. Screens are essential for learning, work and connection, but unmanaged tech use can increase stress, distraction or sleep problems.听

Being mindful of how, when and why you use technology can help you:听

  • Stay focused and productive听
  • Improve sleep and energy听
  • Feel more connected to people and goals you care about听
  • Reduce stress and information overload听

There鈥檚 no 鈥渞ight鈥 amount of screen time. What matters is noticing what supports your well鈥慴eing, and adjusting when something isn鈥檛 working.听

Build Skills

In today鈥檚 fast-paced, technology-driven world, understanding and caring for your digital well-being is more important than ever.听

Peer Wellness Coaching provides supportive, one-on-one conversations with trained student coaches to help you reflect on your technology habits and make positive changes. In a judgment-free environment, coaches guide you in identifying areas where you want to improve鈥攕uch as balancing screen time, managing stress or setting boundaries鈥攚hile offering practical tools and encouragement for trying new strategies.听

Skills and Practices for Supporting Your Digital Well-Being

Digital well鈥慴eing is a skill you can build over time. Small changes can help you feel more focused, less stressed and more present. If you鈥檙e looking to change your habits or routines, try these tips.听

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Set intentions before you unlock

Before opening an app or grabbing your phone, pause and ask:听

  • Why am I using this right now?听
  • Is it for connection, productivity, learning, rest鈥攐r just habit?听

This quick check鈥慽n can shift tech use from automatic to more meaningful.听

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Use tech to support your goals听

Technology can be a tool, not a distraction, when used intentionally. Try:听

  • Turning on focus or 鈥渄o not disturb鈥 modes during study time听
  • Using apps that support time management, habits or mental wellness听
  • Choosing platforms and tools that align with your values and priorities听

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Pay attention to your mind and body听

Your digital habits can affect how you feel.听

  • Notice how screen time impacts your sleep, mood and stress听
  • Take breaks during long study or homework sessions听
  • Step outside when you can鈥攆resh air and movement can be powerful resets听

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Create boundaries that protect your time and energy听

Healthy limits can reduce stress and burnout:听

  • Schedule screen鈥慺ree times (meals, workouts, before bed).听
  • Silence or limit notifications that break your focus. Consider creating additional boundaries to limit distractions when studying, such using app blockers, un-installing apps, turning off your phone or putting it in a drawer or another room.听
  • Revisit your social media feeds鈥攎ute or unfollow accounts that drain your energy.听

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Stay connected in real life 听

Technology can help you stay in touch, but it can鈥檛 replace in鈥憄erson connection.听

  • Prioritize study groups, campus events, clubs and outdoor time听
  • When spending time with friends, consider putting phones away听听

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Want a reset?

Try a short digital detox, like a screen鈥慺ree weekend. Inspired by CU alum Maddie Freeman鈥檚 鈥淣oSo鈥 initiative, this can be a simple way to reconnect with what matters most to you.

Find Support on Campus

If your digital habits are affecting your mental health, focus or balance, you don鈥檛 have to figure it out alone.听

Peer Wellness Coaching: Meet one鈥憃n鈥憃ne with a trained student coach to set goals around screen time, balance and daily habits.听

Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS): If technology use is feeling overwhelming or tied to anxiety, stress, or compulsive behaviors, CAPS can help. Call 303鈥492鈥2277 for support (24/7 availability).听