ABSTRACT
Digital media have emerged as an integral part of everyday life of our society. Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and many other electronic devices appear to be indispensable and accompany individuals in their work and private life. This chapter starts with outlining the impact of digital media on psychosocial well-being which has been primarily studied in children and adolescents. It can have both positive and negative effects depending on various contextual variables. High usage times (>five hours per day) and a more passive approach to consumption are associated with a decrease in well-being, while interactions with important social contacts were linked to an increase in well-being. A special focus is put on the research surrounding media-induced recovery which will be related to traditional findings on recovery to illustrate ideas using digital media as a resource-providing rather than a resource-consuming activity. Suggestions on the beneficial use of digital media for recovery promotion will be portrayed using the transtheoretical model as a framework to guide the process of establishing digital media as a recovery enhancing tool.
