Latest news with #digitalwellbeing
Forbes
5 days ago
- General
- Forbes
5 ChatGPT Prompts To Be Generally Happier More Often
Most people spend hours chasing empty dopamine hits from social media, streaming, and shallow conversations. Anxiety ensues, and they wonder why they aren't happy. Days slip away on distractions instead of building the life that brings actual joy. Sound like you? What if a few simple prompts could completely transform your daily experience? Happiness requires intention. It's a simple choice. Stop reacting and start choosing happy. Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries through. You carry subtle stressors that drain your energy every single day. The notifications that interrupt your focus. The commitments you never really wanted. The people who leave you feeling worse after every interaction. Remove these drains and watch your baseline happiness rise. Small stressors compound into major unhappiness over time. Get intentional about identifying them and cutting them out. "Based on what you know about me through our conversations, what are the subtle habits or behaviors that might be causing me low-level stress every day? Look for patterns in my routines, digital habits, work style, and social interactions that could be quietly draining my energy. For each habit you identify, suggest a small, practical change I could make starting tomorrow. Ask for more detail if required." The five people you spend the most time with shape your mood, beliefs, and actions more than anything else. Some lift you up. Others keep you stuck. Your friendship group determines your ceiling in almost every area of life. The wrong influences keep you playing small and feeling bad about yourself. The right ones push you forward and celebrate your wins. "Based on our previous conversations, help me analyze the five people who influence my mood and mindset the most. For each person, assess: 1) Whether they generally elevate or drain my energy, 2) Specific ways they impact my thinking and behavior, and 3) What boundaries or changes might improve our relationship. Then suggest a practical action plan for either strengthening positive influences or managing challenging ones. Encourage me to use voice mode." Your calendar reveals the truth about what you actually value. Not what you say you value. Look at where your time really goes. The meetings you attend. The blocks you schedule. The people you make time for. We often claim to value family, health, or creativity but our calendars tell a different story. Make your time align with your true values. "Analyze what my calendar reveals about my actual values and priorities. Based on our previous conversations, review how I spend my time and identify any misalignments between my stated values and my daily schedule. Then, suggest 3 specific calendar changes that would better reflect what matters most to me. What would a better version of me change? Include both additions (new blocks to create) and subtractions (things to eliminate or reduce): [Upload a screenshot of your calendar] Speed kills happiness. Racing through your days means missing the moments that matter. Always thinking about what's next instead of what's now. But you can choose to operate differently. Joy comes from focus and attention, not from checking more boxes. Take back control of your brain with a proper assessment and plan. "Create a powerful daily planning question that helps me choose joy over speed. The question should prompt me to reconsider how I approach my day, helping me prioritize meaningful experiences and satisfaction over just getting things done quickly. After providing the question, explain why it works psychologically and how it challenges my current patterns. Then, suggest 3 specific moments in my day when I should pause and ask myself this question for maximum impact." Your phone steals your happiness every morning. The moment you reach for it, your brain fills with other people's priorities, and a huge hit of dopamine. Notifications. News. Social media. You start reacting instead of creating. Morning sets the tone for everything that follows. Protect this time and your entire day transforms. Give yourself space to think and feel before consuming. "Based on what you know about me, if I stayed off my phone until 11am each day, what specific improvements might I experience in my mood, productivity, and overall happiness? Create a detailed picture of how my mornings could be different. Then provide 4 practical strategies to help me build and maintain this habit, including how to handle potential challenges like work expectations and the urge to check notifications.' Small changes to your inputs create massive shifts in your happiness. Find the stressors hiding in plain sight and examine the five people influencing you most. Let your calendar show what you really value and make the changes. Choose joy instead of speed and break your phone addiction cycle. Happiness comes from intentional choices every single day. The prompts will point the way. The rest is up to you. Choose your inputs. Remove any reason not to be happy. Watch your life transform. Access my most life-changing ChatGPT prompts.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
WECHU invites community to vote on video challenge submissions
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is inviting the community to vote on video submissions about how digital technology affects their well-being. The health unit has worked with a panel of youth judges to complete three rounds of youth voting, narrowing down 64 'Connected, Not Controlled' public service announcement (PSA) video submissions. The top five videos in the Grade 6 - 8 and Grade 9 - 12 divisions are now open for public voting. The Connected, Not Controlled Challenge is a video contest for students in Grades 6 - 12 across Windsor-Essex. Students were asked to make a short, 30-second PSA video about how digital technology affects their well-being. The goal is to get students thinking about their tech habits and to encourage a healthy, balanced use of technology. The public will choose the winners by voting online. People can vote on the Connected, Not Controlled website from June 2 until June 9 at 11:59 p.m. Each day, voters can pick their favourite video in two groups: one for Grades 6 - 8 and one for Grades 9 - 12. The videos with the most votes will win first, second, and third place in each group. Winners will be announced June 11. Stay connected to the Challenge by visiting the Connected, Not Controlled Challenge website and follow the Health Unit on Facebook, X, and Instagram for challenge updates and announcements.
The National
27-05-2025
- General
- The National
We should raise children to be tech-savvy – but also digitally healthy
In today's interconnected world, technology is everywhere – at home, in schools and on playgrounds. That means for children growing up in the digital age, technology isn't just a tool, it's part of their daily lives from infancy. While this reality brings incredible opportunities for learning and connection, we can't ignore the challenges it poses for parents trying to nurture their young children. As highlighted by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) during our Digital Well-being Symposium held last month in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi, it is crucial for parents to foster healthy digital habits within their families from an early age to ensure children's well-being online. As part of this, responsible technology use must start early, with the well-being of our youngest children front of mind. Children born today are digital natives and will continue to benefit from incredible advances in technology as they grow up. By engaging with digital media in the right way they can enjoy its capability to support learning, language development, and social skills – and because of this most parents see technology as a positive force in their children's lives. Indeed, the Digital Use Survey, whose findings we launched at the symposium, found that most parents (70 per cent) are satisfied with their young children's screen time, especially when it is educational or culturally relevant. But we can't ignore the risks. There is, of course, another side to this story, with recent TV series and other forms of pop culture entertainment sparking a global conversation about the potentially devastating impact of social media on young people. This underscores a current knowledge gap in what constitutes the building blocks of healthy digital habits. Through its World Early Childhood Development Movement, the ECA is focusing on spotlighting the needs and experiences of young children, from birth to the age of eight, in digital well-being conversations. We are doing this by trying to address gaps and myths that exist by conducting in-depth research and amplifying our findings regarding young children's engagement with media. We want to ensure that the actual facts about today's young children and their media use are incorporated into the crucial discussions from which this age group is often left out. Children born today will benefit from incredible advances in technology as they grow up. But we can't ignore the risks If we want children to develop healthy digital habits, we must first create the right framework to support responsible use of technology in early childhood. We can do this by encouraging and enabling conversations around, and even more importantly with, young children and their experiences with digital tools. We can develop the research to inform policies and strategies that put the well-being of our young citizens first, so they can grow up in a world that embraces the myriads of opportunities offered by technology. There are also practical things we can be doing as parents and caregivers. For example, it may be necessary to moderate the duration to ensure they spend adequate time on other developmental activities such as exercise, offline play, school, books, time with friends and family and quality sleep. Or parents can engage in technology use with their young children. This is especially important in early childhood as it gives the opportunity to model appropriate online behaviours such as protecting personal information and show appropriate and fun ways to use technology and when to stop. Technology is woven into the fabric of modern childhood, and that is not going to change. But how children use technology, and how it shapes their development, depends largely upon us as citizens and parents, as educators and innovators. We need to create evidence-based guidelines and frameworks related to digital media and AI, strategies for creating high-quality digital content that prioritise young children's learning and development, as well as explore key requirements to help initiate the draft of a culturally informed ratings framework for digital media and technology. By embracing further research into young children's digital well-being, we'll ensure we have the right framework to ensure children are engaging with the digital world safely, setting clear boundaries, choosing quality content and balancing digital with real-world activities, so we can raise children who are not just tech-savvy but digitally healthy. The goal is to empower our children to use screens wisely, building a foundation for a balanced, happy and connected life in a digital world.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
How These Companies Are Offering An Alternative To Screen Time
Boy Lying On Floor Of Bedroom Spending Too Much Time Using Mobile Phone getty As families enter Screen-Free Week (May 5–11), a growing number of parents, educators, and pediatric experts are rethinking what "healthy play" looks like in an increasingly digital world. Screen-Free Week, organized by Fairplay's Screen-Free initiative, encourages children and families to unplug from digital entertainment and engage in more meaningful, active experiences. Two companies—Tonies and Learning Resources—are joining this unplugged revolution with hands-on, sensory-friendly alternatives that aim to do more than just entertain. They're redefining what it means to play with purpose, particularly for neurodivergent children, and using storytelling, tactile design, and open-ended learning to re-engage young minds—without the blue light. 10 December 2024, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duisburg: Toniebox and playable figures. Photo: Christoph ... More Reichwein/dpa (Photo by Christoph Reichwein/picture alliance via Getty Images) dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images In honor of Screen-Free Week 2025, Tonies are donating over $300,000 in refurbished Tonieboxes and more than 5,000 Tonies to organizations, including Girls on The Run, Project Sunshine, Early Start Chicago, and Kids L.A.B. Therapy. But this gesture is about more than charity—it's about impact. A new independent study by the University of Wisconsin found that preschool-aged children who used the Toniebox showed 32% higher emergent literacy scores compared to those who didn't. The randomized control study focused on kids ages 3–5 and measured literacy gains over time. "As a screen-free, interactive audio experience for children, Tonies promotes language development, literacy, and socio-emotional learning for young readers and pre-readers," said Christoph Frehsee, President and Managing Director of Tonies USA. "Our screen-free design and library of beloved characters make it a treasure trove for imaginative play, learning, and exploration at home, in the classroom, and beyond." In an age of sensory overload, the Toniebox offers a unique simplicity. Children activate the device by placing a figurine—called a Tonie—on the speaker. With soft, squeezable ears to adjust the volume and simple taps to switch tracks, the design is intuitive even for toddlers and accessible for kids with motor skill delays or sensory sensitivities. Frehsee noted that this design wasn't accidental. "The Toniebox was specifically designed with the learning, developmental and sensory needs of all young children in mind… squeezing the ears instead of pressing small buttons not only makes it easier to use but provides low-effort and frustration-free experiences, particularly for children with motor skill delays." For neurodivergent children, the benefits go even further. Frehsee shared, "We consistently get feedback from families with neurodivergent children… that the Toniebox has been extremely helpful in regulating emotions, easing transitions like bedtime, and providing a greater sense of autonomy." The tactile experience can anchor focus in a way screens often can't, offering a calmer alternative to the overstimulation of video. In addition to new releases like Mo Willems' Elephant & Piggie , Story Pirates , and Canticos , Tonies has also introduced Creative-Tonies —customizable characters that allow kids to record their own stories or songs. According to Frehsee, "These stories provide models for navigating social situations and help children foster a sense of confidence… it's a way to encourage positive behaviors and emotional expression during transitional times like morning routines or bedtime." Learning Resources: Sensory-Driven Play That Works Like Therapy Boy playing with Learning Resources Teaching Cash Register - an alternative to Screen time. Learning Resources For parents who want educational play that doesn't rely on screens, Learning Resources has quietly become a go-to brand. Known for its hands-on STEM and sensory toys, the company's open-ended learning tools are frequently used in schools and therapy settings alike—and with good reason. "Our mission is to bring learning to life," said Darci Shaw, Senior Marketing Manager at Learning Resources. "Because we specialize in hands-on learning toys that are open-ended in nature, our toys are super friendly for neurodivergent kids." Shaw explained that many of their toys are rooted in multisensory learning, a strategy that activates not only sight and sound but also touch and proprioception (muscle and joint engagement). "Multisensory learning allows the brain to re-route from areas of deficit to areas of higher functioning," she said. "An autistic child may not succeed learning numbers from a visual app, but given colorful, textured counting toys, they engage more deeply." The results aren't just theoretical. Learning Resources regularly receives feedback from parents, therapists, and educators praising their toys' real-world effectiveness. One occupational therapist, Jessica Neves, OTR, MOT, shared, "What we find using these toys is that our patients progress toward their goals faster because they are having fun while they are learning." Products like the Big Feelings Pineapple and Cool Down Cubes are designed to help children recognize and manage emotions through interactive play. One parent of a child with ADHD described the Feelings Learning Kit as a "game changer," sharing how the kit sparked daily conversations about moods and strategies for self-regulation. Other parents have praised sensory tools like Helping Hands Tactile Tools and Sensory Trio Fidget Tubes, highlighting their role in calming routines, long car rides, or stressful transitions. One ABA therapist even noted how the brand's Alphabet Acorns Activity Set helped a nonverbal 2.5-year-old begin speaking words aloud. Inclusivity is central to the company's approach. Beyond their product lines, Learning Resources has launched a blog full of free printables, educational tips, and at-home activity ideas for families with special needs. "We're listening to our community," Shaw explained. "We use that feedback—combined with insights from therapists and educators—to guide our development process and ensure we're meeting a wide range of developmental needs." Screen-Free Isn't Anti-Tech—It's Pro-Engagement Happy preschool age children play with colorful plastic toy blocks. Creative kindergarten kids build ... More a block tower. Educational toys for toddler or baby. Top view from above. getty Neither Tonies nor Learning Resources takes a tech-phobic stance. Instead, both companies advocate for intentional, sensory-rich engagement—particularly during early childhood, when attention spans and emotional regulation are still developing. Their approach aligns with guidance from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends limited screen use for children under five and emphasizes play-based learning. What these companies understand—perhaps better than many Silicon Valley disruptors—is that the most powerful learning doesn't come from passive watching but from active doing. From hearing a story unfold through a beloved character to molding clay, solving puzzles, or role-playing emotions with a pineapple, real learning happens through interaction. As families reflect on their digital habits during Screen-Free Week, companies like Tonies and Learning Resources aren't just offering an alternative to screen time. They're offering a reminder that play can still be magical, educational, and meaningful—even without a charger.
