Apps kept us healthy during the pandemic, but it came at a cost

Medical Xpress August 19, 2022
Michelle Blowes, University of Sydney

The same apps that kept us moving during the pandemic sometimes had a negative emotional impact, according to new research led by the University of Sydney.

People who used a mobile app or fitness tracker during the pandemic were almost two times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines, according to an international survey. However, the same technology added to stress and information overload from COVID-19 related news.

Led by the University of Sydney in collaboration with Imperial College London and eight other Australian research institutions, this is one of the first global cross-sectional surveys to examine technology use for health purposes during the pandemic.

The self-reported survey of more than 500 people from 32 countries (predominately Australians) found 60%...