Inside Out 2: Lessons in Digital Wellbeing from Joy, Sadness, and the Gang
In Inside Out 2, Riley’s emotions continue their adventures as she grows up, but what if they faced a new challenge—the digital world? In today’s screen-saturated world, where every notification and infinite scroll tugs at our attention, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust can offer us some valuable lessons on digital wellbeing and screen time management.
Meet the Emotions in the Digital Age
Joy: The Advocate for Digital Joy
Joy thrives on meaningful moments—whether it's connecting with loved ones or laughing at a wholesome meme. She reminds us that screens can be a source of true happiness when used mindfully.Tip from Joy: Use your devices to nurture relationships and fuel creativity, like video calls with friends or digital journaling apps. Curate your digital world to spark joy—unfollow accounts that drain your energy!
Sadness: The Reflection Specialist
Sadness embraces reflection and introspection, which are crucial for emotional wellbeing. She warns against overusing screens to avoid tough feelings.Tip from Sadness: Instead of doomscrolling during a bad day, take a mindful moment. Journaling on a note app or meditating with a guided app can help process your emotions better than endless scrolling.
Anger: The Protector of Boundaries
Anger flares up when Riley’s boundaries are crossed, and in the digital world, he fights against constant interruptions from notifications and the endless demands of social media.Tip from Anger: Set strict boundaries. Use tools like Do Not Disturb or schedule app usage limits to regain control over your time.
Fear: The Digital Risk Manager
Fear worries about overexposure—whether it's too much screen time affecting Riley’s health or the risks of online interactions.Tip from Fear: Educate yourself about digital safety. Use privacy settings and take regular breaks to protect your mental and physical health.
Disgust: The Curator of Content
Disgust helps Riley avoid things that don’t serve her well. In the digital world, she’s all about filtering out toxic content and setting high standards for online interactions.Tip from Disgust: Clean up your feeds regularly. Follow accounts that inspire and educate, and mute or block content that negatively impacts your self-esteem.
The Core Memory of Digital Wellbeing
Riley’s emotions ultimately show her how to create balance. Similarly, we must create “core memories” around our digital habits—moments where screens enrich our lives without overwhelming them.
Start small: Dedicate screen-free time to hobbies or walks in nature.
Stay present: Use apps like Forest to gamify focus and productivity.
Stay mindful: Check in with your emotions before picking up your device—are you scrolling out of boredom, anxiety, or joy?
A Digital Wellbeing Challenge Inspired by the Emotions
For one week, try these daily challenges with Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust as your guides:
Day 1 (Joy): Share something meaningful online that made you happy.
Day 2 (Sadness): Journal about how social media affects your emotions.
Day 3 (Anger): Turn off notifications for one app that interrupts your flow.
Day 4 (Fear): Update your privacy settings on one platform.
Day 5 (Disgust): Unfollow or mute five accounts that drain your energy.
Conclusion: Riley’s New Digital World
As Riley learns to navigate her teenage years, she discovers that screens can be both a friend and a foe. With Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust by her side, she finds a way to use technology mindfully, creating a balance that supports her mental and emotional wellbeing.
How will you let your inner emotions guide your digital habits today?
