\tGoogle executive Maggie Stanphill argued that people should not necessarily always be connected to the digital world simply because technology enables them to.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Mobile World Daily ahead of a conference session on digital wellbeing, Stanphill explained there is a balance to be struck between accessing the benefits of technology and getting \u201cstuck in a habitual cycle\u201d, for example by constantly responding to emails or text messages.<\/p>\n
Helping users to achieve such a balance is a challenge for all technology companies, but to do so requires new skill sets and expertise. These can be developed by \u201clearning as much as we can\u201d by analysing user behaviour: \u201cThis human-first approach will help us define and build experiences that don\u2019t necessarily enforce that always-on is a good thing, even if it\u2019s the result of great innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Google research found that 70 per cent of users in markets where people own multiple devices want \u201cmore help in finding the right balance\u201d. At the same time, the company does not want to hinder users in markets where their mobile phone may be \u201cthe way an individual earns a living as well as a vehicle to new educational opportunities\u201d.<\/p>\n
Over the past 12 months, Google has added \u201ckey capabilities within core products such as Android and YouTube\u201d to raise users\u2019 awareness of their tech habits.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis includes ways for them to monitor their online usage (including parental controls), set timers for apps and establish important schedules for fewer distractions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stanphill noted user feedback has been positive, with people stating it has encouraged them to exert more self-control.<\/p>\n
But she also praised the inclusion of digital wellness on the MWC19 Barcelona agenda, noting that \u201cmaking room for this important conversation\u201d will enable industry leaders to \u201ccreate products and ecosystems that prioritise users\u2019 goals for living a meaningful life\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Google executive Maggie Stanphill argued that people should not necessarily always be connected to the …<\/p>\n
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