In our contemporary world, the ever-diminishing boundary between the real and the virtual poses a profound challenge. The ability to navigate and harness the power of emerging technologies has become almost indispensable for seamless functioning in our societies. Mastery of these digital tools is not merely a skill; it is a prerequisite for a harmonious coexistence with the evolving technological landscape. As reality and virtuality draw closer, almost to the point of interpenetration, it becomes increasingly plausible that they interact and thereby influence individuals, for better or worse.

The harmonious or disharmonious use of technology is an emergent phenomenon resulting from the reciprocal interaction between individuals and their environment, a complex phenomenon indeed, as technology can serve as both the environment itself or as an adaptive tool towards another environment (e.g., society). The literature has extensively focused on modeling dysfunctional behaviors or technological addiction yet has not produced a sufficient number of works to comprehend how the interdependent interaction between the domains of on-line and off-line may generate functional or dysfunctional dynamics.

The aim of this Special Issue is to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between individuals and new technologies. Beyond isolated examinations of maladaptive behaviors, we seek to construct a theoretical framework that better describes the circumstances under which individuals are more prone to dysfunctional technology use (e.g., internet addiction, phubbing, cyberchondria), as well as to identify the essential factors conducive to a positive adaptation to our contemporary, technology-infused society. We invite Research and Review articles that go beyond conventional boundaries, exploring new dimensions of the intricate interplay between people and technology. Furthermore, we welcome the development (or in-language validations) of innovative measurement tools that align with the current emphasis on understanding these dynamics (e.g., Digital Life Balance, Need for Online Social Feedback, Social Media Capital, Internet Locus of Control) and the use of alternative data analysis methods (e.g., machine-learning-based techniques, neural networks, Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis) together with traditional linear statistics. These tools will not only facilitate a deeper understanding of human-technology interactions but also pave the way for proactive interventions to enhance our collective digital well-being.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Definition and measurements of digital well-being
• Promotive factors of harmonious relationship with technology
• Identification of psychological conditions that lead to functional or dysfunctional Information and Communication Technology usage patterns
• In what circumstances networking technology can affect health outcomes positively or negatively
• Development of new measurements (or their in-language validations) for a deeper understanding of functional/dysfunctional technology use
• How offline and online experiences taken together are able to explain people’s well-being and a harmonious relationship with technology
• The impact of artificial intelligence technology on harmony
• How Harmony differs and changes in the present era from previous history with the rise of the digital internet