Reclaiming Your Online Life with Jocelyn Brewer

Episode Summary

In this episode, Hadleigh Fischer speaks with Jocelyn Brewer, a Sydney-based psychologist and cyber psychology expert who is reshaping how we think about technology and mental well-being. As the founder of the Digital Nutrition Framework, Jocelyn explains how we can live well online by fostering healthier digital habits for ourselves and our families.

Jocelyn addresses the misconception of social media addiction and highlights the importance of understanding the different ways adults and children engage with the online world. She introduces the concept of digital nutrition, which focuses on mindful, meaningful, and moderate use of technology, as well as modeling good tech habits. Jocelyn also discusses the idea of digital vitamins and minerals, emphasizing the need for nutritious online consumption.

This conversation offers actionable strategies for anyone overwhelmed by digital life, whether you’re a parent, professional, or tech user looking for balance.

What You Will Learn

The 4M Framework: Jocelyn’s approach to mindful technology use – Mindful, Meaningful, Moderate, and Modeling.
Practical Tips for Adults: From removing apps like Instagram during weekdays to prioritizing sleep, discover simple steps to regain control over screen time.
Parenting in the Digital Age: How to set boundaries, guide children through digital spaces, and avoid screen-time guilt.
Collective Resilience: Jocelyn introduces her work on MetaWell, a platform designed to help individuals cope with modern crises through connection and contribution.
The Myth of Social Media Addiction: Why we should reframe this narrative and understand dependency vs. addiction.

About Jocelyn Brewer

Jocelyn Brewer Image

Jocelyn is a Warrane/Sydney-based psychologist and cyberpsychology researcher with a special interest in the psychology of technology and staying human in a digitally colonised, AI-infused world.

Jocelyn’s 2009 Psychology Honors thesis explored the impacts of increasing access to Internet-enabled laptops on a cohort of grade 10 boys and the emerging area of Problematic Internet Use (PIU), colloquially known as ‘Internet Addiction’. This kicked off her journey into digital well-being and cyberpsychology.

In 2013, Jocelyn created Digital Nutrition™ – a framework to help parents and technology users understand the virtual nutritional values of the online media content we consume via apps and games on tablets and screen technology. She provides a range of courses, keynotes, coaching, and commentary.

During the pandemic, Jocelyn co-founded MetaWell, a flexible toolkit of resources to help you live well online.

Memorable Quotes

“We need to teach people how to live well online, not just fumble through and hope for the best.”
“Addiction isn’t the problem – it’s about how we use technology to soothe ourselves and our children.”
“Breaking news is like sugar – highly addictive but ultimately harmful. What we need is long-form, nutritious content that informs and empowers.”
“Parents don’t need a one-size-fits-all rule for screen time; they need a values-driven plan that works for their family.”