The Impact of Digital Technology on Psychological Well-being

Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo, Ponorogo, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: muh.tajab@umpo.ac.id

Abstract

Digital technologies have become an integral part of modern life, providing convenience in communication and access to information. However, its use also poses psychological challenges, such as anxiety, stress, and addiction. The impact of digital technology on individual psychological well-being is becoming an increasingly relevant issue to research, especially in the era of hyper-digitization. This study aims to explore how the use of digital technology affects individuals' psychological well-being, focusing on the positive and negative experiences of its use. This study used descriptive qualitative methods. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 20 participants aged 18-30 years old who actively use digital technology for various purposes, such as social media, work, and entertainment. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns of psychological impact. The results showed that digital technology provides benefits such as increased social connectivity and easy access to psychological resources. However, excessive use triggers addiction, sleep disturbances, and feelings of isolation. The user experience is strongly influenced by the individual's ability to manage the time and limits of technology use. This study emphasizes the need for digital literacy to help individuals make healthy use of technology and prevent negative impacts on psychological well-being. These results can also serve as a basis for designing interventions that support the balanced use of technology.