Digital Well-Being and Social Media Overuse

In a world where our attention is constantly pulled toward screens, how can we reclaim control over our digital lives?

This interdisciplinary panel brings together experts from Psychology, Information Systems, Marketing, and Government to explore the roots, design, and regulation of social media overuse.

Together, they will discuss how technology shapes our minds and behaviours, the ethical responsibilities that platforms and policymakers hold, and the practical steps that can help individuals and societies adopt healthier digital habits.

How can you participate? Join us in person or online by registering for the Zoom Meeting or watching live on YouTube.

Have questions? Send them to info.4@concordia.ca  

Dr. Mark Griffiths

Dr. Mark Griffiths is a Chartered Psychologist and Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction at the Nottingham Trent University, and Director of the International Gaming Research Unit. He has spent 38 years in the field and is internationally known for his work on gambling, gaming, and behavioral addictions. He has published over 1,650 peer-reviewed research papers, seven books, more than 200 book chapters, and over 1,500 other articles. He has won over 25 national and international awards for his work, including the John Rosecrance Prize (1994), Joseph Lister Prize (2004), US National Council on Problem Gambling Lifetime Research Award (2013), ISSBA Lifetime Achievement Award for the Study of Behavioral Addictions (2023).

Dr. Mahdi Mirhoseini

Dr. Mahdi Mirhoseini is currently an Assistant Professor of Business Technology Management at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. His research interests include the dark side of IT, human–computer interaction, design science, and user experience. More specifically, his works examine how users’ neurophysiological data can be used to understand human-computer interactions and to improve the design of IT artifacts.

Mr. Enrico Ciccone

Mr. Enrico Ciccone is a former NHL defenceman turned sports analyst, agent, and politician. After retiring from professional hockey in 2000, he became a player agent and later a prominent sports commentator in Quebec’s French-language media. In 2018, he was elected to the National Assembly of Quebec as a member of the Liberal Party, representing the riding of Marquette. Drawing on his experience in professional sports and media, Ciccone has been an advocate for healthy lifestyles, youth development, and responsible public policy related to sport and digital well-being. He is the Vice-Chair of the Special Commission on the Impacts of Screens and Social Networks on the Health and Development of Young People in Québec.

Iman Goodarzi

Iman Goodarzi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Marketing at the John Molson School of Business. His research explores how interventions—such as AI-generated nudges and haptic feedback—can mitigate the negative consequences of social media overuse, including addiction and excessive digital consumption. He is particularly interested in the characteristics of AI that can help individuals balance their digital lives while minimizing the harmful effects of social media overuse.