ABSTRACT
Information and media are constantly present in our lives. The constant evolution of technology and forms of communication has made it possible for these two factors to be readily available for immediate consumption, and often one doesn’t have the time or the ability to filter it, from children to the elderly.
Psychology has always been concerned with perceiving the impact of media on mental health, but so far this interest has been primarily in the negative impacts. However, it seems relevant to us to perceive the other side, that is, the potential benefits of information and media use. In this chapter, we will attempt to answer questions such as whether this use makes us happier, exposes us to new opportunities for personal growth, or increases our levels of well-being. In this perspective, and taking into account the two central theoretical concepts of well-being approaches: hedonic (the pleasant life—e.g., affect, satisfaction with life, etc.) and eudaimonic (the meaningful life—e.g., satisfaction of intrinsic needs, etc.), we will try to understand the impact of the media in the different phases of life—childhood, adolescence, young adult, adult, and elderly.
