Health and well-being in the digital society

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