"Is THAT an analog watch?!"
The question came with a mixture of disbelief and amusement during a meeting with an industry partner. As the Director of Graduate Education for a Master of Digital Health program, I knew the irony wasn’t lost on either of us. There I was, talking about the future of health technology—while wearing a good old-fashioned analog watch.
"...Yes," I said, smiling sheepishly. I felt like Steve Jobs with a flip phone—minus the genius and the turtleneck.
No, I don’t wear a smartwatch. But yes, I teach students and professionals how to use wearable technologies, health apps, and digital platforms to support behavior change and promote better health outcomes. And while I’m fully invested in the potential of these tools, I also believe one important truth: not every technology is the right fit for every person.1,2
I do use digital tools to support my health, but I make a conscious choice not to wear a device that buzzes, pings, and nudges me all day long. For me, it’s a boundary. I want to use the technology, but I don’t want the technology to have me.
That distinction—between using tech and being used by it—is at the heart of what it means to support healthy behavior in today’s digital environment.3
Our Digital Environment Shapes Us
Technology is now a central part of our environment. Just like our social circles or physical spaces, it influences our behavior—often in subtle, habitual ways.4 We reach for our phones without thinking. We scroll before sleeping. We respond to pings and vibrations before fully processing what they’re asking of us. And sometimes, we let the technology dictate our routines more than we’d like to admit.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Technology Can Support Behavior Change—When Used Intentionally
There is no question that digital tools can support powerful behavior change. Smartwatches can help track movement and encourage activity. Sleep apps can highlight patterns and prompt better routines. Digital reminders, gamification, AI feedback—these can be powerful allies in our quest for better health.
The key is using these tools intentionally, and aligning them with our values, goals, and boundaries.
That’s why behavior change science is so important. It helps us understand how habits form, what motivates us, and how to design environments—digital or otherwise—that support long-term health. When paired with thoughtful technology use, this can empower individuals to take control of their well-being, rather than surrendering it to their screens.2
A Human-Centered Approach to Digital Health
As we prepare future health professionals in our Master of Digital Health program, we emphasize this human-centered approach. The goal isn’t just to adopt the latest gadget—it’s to understand how to use technology in ways that genuinely improve people’s lives.
That means asking critical questions:
- Is this tool helping or distracting?
- Does it support autonomy, or create dependence?
Is it sustainable and personalized for this person?
Because in the end, we don’t want to just digitize health—we want to humanize it.
References
1. Rupp, M. A., Michaelis, J. R., McConnell, D. S., & Smither, J. A. (2018). The role of individual differences on perceptions of wearable fitness device trust, usability, and motivational impact. Applied Ergonomics, 70, 77–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2018.02.005
2. ao, D., Chen, Z., Qin, M., & Cheng, M. (2023). Modeling consumer acceptance and usage behaviors of m-Health: An integrated model of Self-Determination Theory, Task–Technology Fit, and the Technology Acceptance Model. Healthcare, 11(11), 1550. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111550
3. Chatterjee, A., Prinz, A., Gerdes, M., & Martinez, S. (2021). Digital interventions on healthy lifestyle management: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(11), e26931. https://doi.org/10.2196/26931
4. Bayer, J., & LaRose, R. (2018). Technology habits: Progress, problems, and prospects. In B. Verplanken (Ed.), The psychology of habit (pp. 111–130). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97529-0_7