Does social media have to make you happy?

At Simply Zesty, Lauren Fisher asks a provocative question: why happiness? Her point is that social media is frequently challenged for its (purportedly) negative impact on happiness: What’s also strange, is the idea that social media in some way owes us happiness,...

9 ways the Internet can cheer your mood when you’re feeling sad

A rough day: we all have them. Yet no day is so rough that it should shake your faith in the Internet as, if not a universal cure, than a widely applicable balm. Here are 5 ways the Internet can cheer you up when you’re blue: Create something. Upload a picture....

5 ways to maximize computer use — and happiness

Q: How many computers does it take to enjoy a relaxing evening at home? A:  7.  Five to use simultaneously, a sixth to blog about how you’re doing that, and a seventh to keep your spouse entertained while you do. Yeah, I know, it reads like a formulaic joke. But...

The 5 questions to ask about online distraction

Whether you’re worried about the Internet’s impact on your attention span, or tired of hearing about how life online is driving us to distraction, these 5 questions will help you think more deeply about online distraction.

Good news for Internet users who need a boost

Happy News is a site that accentuates the positive: it promises to deliver only good news stories. You wouldn’t want to make it your only source of information, but when the endless stories of crime and conflict get you down, here’s a nice way to balance...