Health and well-being in the digital society

Citation

Critchlow N (2017) Health and well-being in the digital society. In: Bonner A (ed.) Social determinants of health: An interdisciplinary approach to social inequality and well-being. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 103-117. https://policypress.co.uk/social-determinants-of-health#book-detail-tabs-stison-block-content-1-0-tab0

Abstract
This chapter provides a narrative review of evidence that links increased use of technology to negative health and well-being. While the chapter touches on several issues, it particularly focuses on two case studies of influencing alcohol use in young people. The chapter begins by reviewing Internet use. Second, it considers how growing engagement with technology has influenced sedentary behaviour and, third, how it can influence mental well-being. Fourth, the chapter considers how the content created by other Internet users may encourage or reinforce health risk behaviours, presenting the first alcohol case study. Finally, it considers the influence of digital marketing on behaviour, thus presenting the second alcohol case study.

Keywords
Digital; Internet; Society; Alcohol Marketing; User-created content; User-generated content; Health; Well-being

People

Dr Nathan Critchlow

Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing