Digital Well-Being: Do AI Filters Really “Enhance” Us?

This post dives into the concept of digital well-being, unpacking how synthetic media—like AI filters—impact the physical and mental health of young people.

Felipe Aristimuño

12/15/20244 min read

An urgent issue in media education today is understanding how media affects our health, particularly when it comes to AI-generated or altered content like filters and tools that can dramatically modify our appearance. It’s crucial to reflect on the effects of these applications, weighing their benefits against their potential physical and mental health impacts. This is where the concept of “digital well-being” takes center stage, becoming especially relevant for young people.

In this post, we explore the idea of digital well-being, breaking down its multiple dimensions and offering best practices to help cultivate a balanced and healthy relationship with synthetic media. Our discussion begins with research from the UK-based non-governmental organization Internet Matters and their Digital Well-Being Index.

What is Digital Well-Being?

Digital well-being refers to a state of happiness, health, and safety in the digital world, encompassing different aspects of our interactions with media. In 2021, Internet Matters released its first Digital Well-Being Index, aiming to measure the impact of digital technology on social media users' well-being. Developed in collaboration with the University of Leicester and Revealing Reality, this index serves as a tool to monitor the digital well-being of children and young people over time.

The concept spans four key areas:

Developmental Well-Being: The ability to acquire new skills, think critically, and manage online activities effectively.
Emotional Well-Being: Emotional responses to online experiences, including joy, connection, anxiety, or sadness.
Physical Well-Being: The impact of digital technology on physical health, including sleep patterns, physical activity, and overall health.
Social Well-Being: The quality of relationships formed online, the ability to connect with others, and the sense of belonging within digital communities.

The Synthetic Media Paradox: Opportunities and Challenges

Research by Internet Matters reveals the intricate balance of positives and negatives in digital engagement, especially when appearance-altering AI is involved. Findings consistently highlight how online platforms provide opportunities for self-expression, connection, and learning, but also challenge authenticity, belonging, and safety.

Social media platforms, with their heavy focus on visual content, often pressure users to present idealized versions of themselves. Widespread use of filters and effects further complicates notions of authenticity, raising concerns about body image distortion and self-esteem.

On the social side, platforms like TikTok and YouTube offer immense potential for connecting individuals with shared interests and fostering belonging through collective creativity. However, the constant chase for views, likes, and comments can create social pressure and harmful comparisons, impacting self-worth and mental health.

Best Practices for Digital Well-Being: A Shared Responsibility

Promoting digital well-being requires a multifaceted effort involving individuals, parents, educators, policymakers, content creators, and platform providers. To empower young people to build healthy relationships with technology, we can adopt a series of practical strategies to foster a more balanced use of media:

Set Boundaries: Initiatives like the Miraflores High School in Portugal, which has limited mobile device use during recess since 2023, showcase the effectiveness of policies that promote physical, mental, and digital health. Setting clear limits on screen time and social media use—whether for studying, gaming, or daily tasks—can help strike a better balance. Often, addressing challenges without relying on digital solutions leads to healthier outcomes.
Stay Mindful: Pay close attention to the emotional impact of digital interactions on children and students. Signs of discomfort on social media can often be silent calls for help. Recognizing these emotions is a crucial step toward adjusting online behaviors. Encouraging mindfulness in digital use—reflecting on the present moment and our engagement with technology—can promote healthier relationships with media.
Foster Offline Connections: While digital media offers opportunities for connection, face-to-face interactions remain essential for well-being. Since humanity’s earliest days, in-person communication has been the foundation of interpersonal relationships. Prioritizing offline interactions and engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional connection helps build community and strengthen real-world relationships.
Seek Support: In a hyperconnected world, digital stimuli can lead to addiction or at least negatively shape behavior. If someone struggles with excessive media use—such as gaming or social media addiction—it’s vital to seek professional help. Mental health experts, along with family and friends, can provide support to overcome these challenges.

The E-ARTi Project: A Compass for Navigating Unknown Digital Terrain

The E-ARTi Project, led by researcher Felipe Aristimuño at the University of Lisbon, exemplifies how technology can be leveraged for creativity and social awareness. In a landscape where synthetic media like deepfakes and voice cloning are often associated with dangers, misinformation, and manipulation, the project takes a different stance. It sees these tools not just as instruments of deceit but as opportunities for artistic expression and critical thinking.

Through the E-ARTi Curriculum, the project engages students and educators in meaningful reflections on AI technologies, encouraging ethical and creative use of these tools. By preparing participants to not only understand AI but also become creators and activists in the art and media world, E-ARTi seeks to promote a more inclusive digital experience.

The project seeks to empower individuals to create and share art using synthetic media, fostering visual activism and promoting thoughtful participation in contemporary culture. Through critical and creative engagement, E-ARTi aims to help build a society better equipped to navigate and thrive in an ever-evolving media landscape.

Toward a Thriving Digital Future

Digital well-being is an ongoing journey that requires society to adapt constantly to new realities shaped by AI-generated media. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, we must rethink educational paradigms to reflect these changes, with particular attention to digital health and well-being.

Expanding media literacy education to address the emotional, social, and physical impacts of technology use is essential. Integrating digital well-being themes into school curricula can empower students with the skills to navigate and shape the digital world in a healthy and intentional way. Building a sustainable digital future goes beyond responsible technology—it requires an educational system that equips future generations to adapt and thrive. Updating media literacy frameworks is a crucial step in ensuring we cultivate critical thinking in this regard.

Further Reading from Internet Matters: