2017 archive

Thriving in the digital age

In 2017 the APS continued the Compass for Life campaign, to help Australians improve their happiness and wellbeing by promoting Ways to Thrive.

During #psychweek, the APS published results from a national survey measuring the impact of technology and social media on the wellbeing, self-image and life satisfaction of Australians. The findings from the survey formed the basis of a national media campaign.

The APS invited members and the public to participate by hosting or attending events, sharing their own successful #waystothrive via social media, as well as downloading and sharing resources and content from this site.

2017 Resources

10 tips to make your online life better – For teens

Technology is positive for many people but it can be bad for your mental health, stress you out or make you feel disconnected from others. How do you use the…

Digital Me survey

Digital Me, is the latest in a series of surveys conducted by the Australian Psychological Society, to examine issues affecting the wellbeing of Australians. It has been conducted as part of…

10 ways to help your mental health

We all like to help others. But, when it comes to mental health, what steps can we take to support ourselves? Psychological research has revealed a range of approaches that…

Why urban legends are more powerful than ever

Viral hoaxes are a way for us to make sense of the turbulent world and manage threat in a safe environment. Have you heard the one about the guy who…

Why our screens make us less happy

– BY ADAM ALTER – What are our screens and devices doing to us? Psychologist Adam Alter studies how much time screens steal from us and how they’re getting away with…

Smartphone apps help those with brain injuries, and everyone else’s memory too

Research suggests apps simply free our minds to focus on other things – rather than making our memories lazier. Smartphone apps allow us to outsource remembering appointments or upcoming tasks….

Why Facebook may fuel new mothers’ insecurity

You haven’t showered in a few days, and you haven’t brushed your teeth yet this morning. But, your baby is one month old today! You picked out the perfect outfit…

You can tell more about a person from their Facebook page than by actually meeting them

We judge people all the time. Research shows that when we first meet someone, we instantly use features such as their attractiveness and facial expressions to form an opinion about…

How to be a healthy user of social media

We can learn a lot about people through how they use social media. For example, Twitter language can be used to predict the risk of dying from heart disease. Analyses…

Blocking kids from social media won’t solve the problem of cyberbullying

Bullying is among parents’ greatest concerns. And little wonder. It’s the biggest modifiable risk factor for children and adolescents developing mental illnesses. Every few weeks there are reports of children…

Twitter’s plan to help young people not get too overwhelmed by bad news doesn’t go far enough

We live in a chronically anxious era, seemingly being bombarded with negative news at every turn. Social media allow us to not only read about tragedies, but also to interact…

No, the internet is not actually stealing kids’ innocence

The news is constantly awash with stories reporting on – and arguably amplifying – public anxieties over youth and media. The anxieties concern violence and video games, gaming addiction, internet…

‘Don’t feed the trolls’ really is good advice – here’s the evidence

Anti-social behaviour online – trolling, cyberbullying – is a growing concerning phenomenon but research shows ignoring these mostly faceless angry attention-seekers could be the best response. Almost half the population…

Psychological tips for resisting the Internet’s grip

“22 of the Cutest Baby Animals,” the headline said. “You won’t believe number 11!” Despite an impending deadline – not to mention my skepticism (how cute could they possibly be?)…

The quest for digital superfoods

Jocelyn Brewer MAPS introduces us to the concept of Digital Nutrition, an award-winning framework for teaching the principles of a healthy, balanced relationship with technology. Digital nutrition borrows from the…

Adolescents on social media

– BY DR MICHAEL CARR-GREGG MAPS – Social media can offer many benefits to adolescents, connecting them with friends. We often hear or read about the dangers of young people logging…

Internet addiction and online gaming disorder on the rise

In our modern world, the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, enabling us to be more connected and efficient than ever before. But our move online…

8 tips for a healthy digital life

But psychological research confirms that social media can actually increase stress, disconnection, inefficiency and feelings of inadequacy. So how can we harness technology to boost wellbeing and create a healthy…