Wity is an independent research and information institute studying digital wellbeing, online literacy, technology habits, and digital resilience. Our current research program examines how notification design, screen habits, and online information environments intersect with everyday life for individuals, families, and organizations across Canada.
A selection of recent studies from our research program, spanning digital wellbeing, technology habits, and digital resilience.
An analysis of how the frequency and timing of mobile notifications correspond with self-reported focus and task-switching among working adults, drawing on a twelve-week diary study.
Read ReportA practical framework for assessing the credibility of online content, developed with input from librarians, educators, and media literacy researchers.
Read ReportA structured review of existing studies on evening screen use and sleep quality, distinguishing well-supported findings from claims that remain unsettled.
Read ReportOur resource library brings together reports, practical guides, and reference materials for individuals, educators, and organizations.
How small non-profits and community groups build the capacity to respond to online misinformation, account compromise, and rapidly shifting platform policies.
View in LibraryA comparison of household technology agreements across sixty families, examining which approaches were sustained over time and which were abandoned within weeks.
View in LibraryFindings from a classroom-based pilot testing a source-evaluation curriculum with students aged 13 to 16, including teacher feedback and revised lesson plans.
View in LibraryA glossary and analysis of common interface techniques used to sustain engagement, written for a general audience rather than a technical one.
View in LibraryOur research program is organized around five interconnected areas, each examined through a combination of surveys, interviews, and applied studies.
How everyday technology use intersects with attention, mood, sleep, and overall quality of life across different age groups.
Explore AreaThe skills people need to evaluate information, recognize manipulation, and participate thoughtfully in online spaces.
Explore AreaPatterns of device use, notification behaviour, and platform design that shape daily routines at home and at work.
Explore AreaThe capacity of individuals, families, and organizations to adapt to online risks, setbacks, and rapid technological change.
Explore AreaPractical programs and public resources that bring research findings into schools, workplaces, and community organizations.
Explore AreaWity was founded to provide the public, educators, and organizations with research-based information about digital life, free from commercial or platform interests. We do not accept funding from technology platforms whose products we study, and our findings are published openly regardless of what they show.
News on new publications, partnerships, and community initiatives from across the institute.
Our annual outlook synthesizes a year of research into five observations relevant to educators, employers, and families.
Read MoreWity will co-develop media literacy programming with public library systems in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario over the next eighteen months.
Read MoreWe are recruiting families with children aged 8 to 14 for a study on shared household approaches to screen time and device use.
Read MoreOver four hundred participants attended our spring series of free community workshops on online literacy and digital resilience.
Read MoreDr. Cho has been invited to join a national advisory panel examining technology use guidance for schools.
Read More“The goal of our research is not to alarm people about technology, but to help them make informed choices grounded in evidence rather than anecdote.”
“Most of the meaningful change we see happens at the level of daily habits and household norms, not through any single intervention.”
“Online literacy is a skill that can be taught and practised. It should be treated as a core part of general education, not an afterthought.”
Ongoing and upcoming initiatives connecting our research to educators, families, and community organizations.
A quarterly webinar series bringing our research fellows together with educators to discuss classroom-relevant findings.
Learn MoreLocally led digital literacy projects developed in partnership with community centres and public libraries.
Learn MoreNew joint studies with university partners examining digital resilience among Canadian families and workplaces.
Learn MoreFree in-person and virtual workshops introducing digital wellbeing and online literacy concepts to the general public.
Learn MoreA short selection of frequently asked questions. Visit our full FAQ page for more.
Wity is an independent, non-partisan research and information institute. We are not a commercial business, and we do not sell products or services. Our work is focused on publishing research, educational resources, and public information related to digital wellbeing and technology habits.
Our work is supported through a combination of partner institution grants, philanthropic contributions, and project-based funding from partner organizations. We maintain editorial independence over our research findings and publications regardless of funding source.
Most of our publications, guides, and reference materials are available for personal, educational, and non-commercial use, with attribution to Wity Research & Information Institute. Please see our Terms of Use page for full details.
Yes. Several of our studies involve surveys, interviews, or classroom-based research with human participants. All such research follows established ethical review procedures and participant consent protocols.
We welcome partnerships with schools, libraries, community organizations, and workplaces. Please visit our Initiatives page or contact our team directly to discuss potential collaboration.
Whether you are a journalist, educator, community organization, or member of the public, our team is glad to hear from you.