What makes good digital time? Finding the balance between productivity and control

Schoetensack, C ORCID: 0000-0002-1540-3692, Černohorská, V, Goncikowska, K, Chappuis, S, Klegr, T, Giner-Domínguez, G, Witowska, J, Papastamatelou, J, Wittmann, M, Valenzuela, R, Pestana, JV, Codina, N, Marentes Castillo, MS, Meteier, Q, Boente, MF, Martin-Soelch, C and Ogden, R ORCID: 0000-0002-0931-1986 (2026) What makes good digital time? Finding the balance between productivity and control. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 23. p. 101219. ISSN 2451-9588

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Abstract

There is growing awareness that wellbeing in today's digital age cannot simply be achieved by minimising digital engagement. Instead, it requires living well with digital technology and pursuing digital practices that afford a sense of productivity and user control. This study sought to identify and distinguish between types of digital technology use viewed as ideal, acceptable or tolerable and negative and determine what factors contribute to digital practices being evaluated this way. 50 semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals from the UK population. An inductive and interpretative thematic analysis of the data led to the creation of four themes, which differentiated between digital practices associated with (1) high productivity and high control (ideal digital engagement), (2) high productivity and low control (acceptable or tolerable technology use), (3) low productivity and low control (negative digital practices) and (4) low productivity and high control (mixed digital experiences). Quality of digital experience was shaped by how well the type of productivity afforded by specific digital practices aligned with user goals in a specific context and how well these practices supported user control in interaction with the context of digital engagement. As control was perceived to be restricted by external factors, such as digital functions and social norms, control-enhancing structural, societal and social changes may be needed to support digital wellbeing. In addition, non-prescriptive education that raises awareness of productivity and control as broad principles of good digital time could be helpful. However, further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of such interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	4606 Distributed Computing and Systems Software; 46 Information and Computing Sciences; 4608 Human-Centred Computing; 4609 Information Systems; Behavioral and Social Science; Generic health relevance; 4606 Distributed computing and systems software; 4608 Human-centred computing; 4609 Information systems
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology T Technology > T Technology (General)
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Elsevier
Date of acceptance:	21 July 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	10 September 2026
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2026 12:44
Last Modified:	10 Sep 2026 12:44
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.chbr.2026.101219
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29376

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