I’m stoked to share that our team at the Archbridge Institute’s Human Flourishing Lab has just published a new Digital Flourishing guide. This research-driven resource offers practical strategies for people to exercise their digital agency and improve their online experiences.
Much of our public discourse concerning social media and online engagement fixates on the negatives. From mental health concerns to political polarization, we increasingly blame digital platforms for our personal and societal problems. There are certainly legitimate concerns about how these platforms are designed and managed. And we should worry about how America’s adversaries use them to spread misinformation and sow discord. But when we place all the blame on the platforms, we miss something important. We are not helpless victims. We have the power to make choices about how we engage online, and those choices matter. They determine whether technology enhances or diminishes our wellbeing and whether we contribute to constructive dialogue or add to the dysfunction.
Even though the public is often painted as powerless against big tech companies, most Americans actually recognize their digital agency. In a nationally representative survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults, our team at the Archbridge Institute’s Human Flourishing Lab found that 86 percent of Americans believe they have the ability to self-regulate their online engagement. And many are acting on their belief in personal agency to improve their relationship with technology. According to a 2024 Deloitte survey, 83 percent of Americans are actively setting boundaries around their digital activities. This includes putting phones away during family time, turning off notifications, and seeking more meaningful real-world engagement.
Our new guide builds on our previous research report that examined the current state of digital flourishing in America. In that report, we identified five key dimensions of digital flourishing and presented results from a national survey showing the extent to which Americans are flourishing across these dimensions. This new guide takes the next step by offering strategies for how people can actively improve their flourishing across each dimension.
The first dimension, positive social comparison, addresses one of social media’s most challenging aspects. While online platforms can trigger envy and feelings of falling short when we compare ourselves to others’ curated lives, they can also inspire and motivate us. Our survey finds that roughly half of Americans don’t think they are flourishing on this dimension but also that younger generations feel better able than older generations to use social comparison positively. The guide recommends following accounts that inspire goal pursuit, unfollowing those that cause negative comparisons, and treating social media as a community board rather than a scoreboard.
Civil participation, the second dimension, focuses on our ability to engage in respectful online discourse. Despite narratives about toxic online environments, our data reveals that most Americans across all generations feel capable of civil engagement online. This ranges from 78 percent of Gen Z to 87 percent of the Silent Generation. The guide suggests practical approaches like pausing before responding when emotionally charged, humanizing communication by using people’s names, and reflecting on how your message might be received.
Self-control, the third dimension, addresses the balance between digital engagement and other life activities. Again, most Americans report flourishing in this area. However, older generations show higher rates of flourishing here, with 92 percent of Boomers reporting good self-regulation compared to 77 percent of Gen Z. The guide offers strategies ranging from utilizing “Do Not Disturb” settings to creating phone-free spaces in your home and using website-blocking apps for problematic sites.
Community connectedness represents the fourth dimension, highlighting how digital platforms can foster meaningful connections across geographic boundaries. The data also shows generational patterns, with younger generations (77 percent of Gen Z, 74 percent of Millennials) more likely to feel connected to online communities than older ones (58 percent of Boomers). The guide encourages asking meaningful questions, using support networks, and sending messages of gratitude to strengthen these connections.
The final dimension, authentic self-disclosure, examines how comfortable we feel presenting our true selves online. Most Americans across generations report feeling comfortable being authentic online, with rates ranging from 78 percent of Gen Z to 90 percent of the Silent Generation. The guide recommends avoiding overly curated self-presentation, sharing content that aligns with your genuine values, and ensuring consistency between your online and offline personas.
We have the power to flourish in our digital lives. We just have to exercise our digital agency. And doing so improves our offline lives as well. Research shows that people who are digitally flourishing find their social relationships more rewarding, feel happier overall, and report better mental health. They’re also more optimistic about the future, engaged in daily activities, and able to contribute to the wellbeing of others.
Importantly, achieving digital flourishing doesn’t require dramatic changes. The guide emphasizes simple daily practices that anyone can implement. The key is recognizing that you have choices in how you engage with digital technology.
Have a great weekend!
Clay