Abstract
Digital devices (e.g., smartphones, computers) and online services (e.g., news platforms, social media) have become an integral part of everyday life and thus their impact on people's well‐being has come under scrutiny. This entry reviews the conceptualization and measurement of digital media use and subjective well‐being, as well as the relationship between these concepts. Research focusing on specific uses and well‐being indicators has shown positive as well as negative relationships, whereas studies with generalized concepts and meta‐studies suggest that overall digital media use is not inherently beneficial or detrimental to subjective well‐being. Rather, digital media use interacts with myriad moderators and mediators that shape the benefits that people derive from it in terms of their subjective well‐being. In general, links between digital media use and subjective well‐being are found to be small, inconsistent, and likely affected by measurement and analytical decisions. Thus, in theorizing and examining relationships between digital media use and well‐being, the conceptualization and measurement of digital media use and well‐being variables, as well as analytical approaches, need to be carefully considered.
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