September 8, 2025, offered an unexpected yet deeply meaningful convergence of events, each underscoring the evolving relationship between technology, wellness, and everyday behavior. On one hand, the world marked International Literacy Day, a globally recognized observance led by UNESCO since 1966. This year’s theme, “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era,” brought attention to how essential both traditional and digital literacy skills have become in a world shaped by rapid technological change. On the other hand, a more unusual health advisory gained traction in popular media: the warning that using smartphones while sitting on the toilet could increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Though vastly different in scope and tone, both stories carried a similar message—our digital behaviors, whether global or intimate, have real consequences for health, equity, and the quality of modern life.
International Literacy Day has long been a touchstone for global education policy and advocacy. Historically centered on reading and writing, the day has evolved to address the changing nature of literacy in the 21st century. As digital transformation reshapes education, employment, and civic participation, the meaning of being “literate” now includes the ability to navigate online spaces, critically assess digital content, and engage with information through a variety of platforms. The 2025 observance emphasized how the digital divide continues to hinder equal access to learning opportunities, especially among marginalized communities, rural populations, and low-income households. UNESCO’s programming around the day included a global summit in Paris, during which experts, educators, and policymakers gathered to discuss ways to expand access to quality education and ensure digital tools enhance rather than exacerbate educational inequities.
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Across the world, schools and organizations hosted events, workshops, and campaigns aimed at raising awareness of digital literacy and promoting responsible use of technology. Many educators called for reforms in school curricula to include more robust digital skills training, cybersecurity awareness, and media literacy education. In countries with widespread internet access, the challenge has shifted from mere connectivity to ensuring that people have the skills to use digital tools critically and ethically. In contrast, regions still lacking reliable broadband continue to face exclusion from the educational and economic benefits of digital participation. The 2025 International Literacy Day served as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the urgent work that remains in achieving inclusive education for all.
Coinciding with this major global observance was a less formal but widely discussed health advisory that caught the attention of many: using a smartphone while sitting on the toilet, a common practice in today’s hyper-connected world, could have negative consequences for physical health. Specifically, doctors and public health experts warned that this habit can contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. Sitting for extended periods on the toilet, especially while distracted by a screen, increases pressure on the veins in the rectal area. This can lead to swelling, discomfort, and in some cases, chronic conditions that require medical intervention.
In addition to the risk of hemorrhoids, there are also concerns about hygiene. Studies have shown that smartphones, when brought into bathrooms, can collect and harbor bacteria such as E. coli, often at levels far higher than those found on a typical toilet seat. These findings highlight the importance of mindful device use—not just for mental and emotional well-being, but for physical health and cleanliness as well. The conversation around this advisory became a moment of reflection on how ubiquitous our devices have become in daily life, sometimes in ways that may be unhealthy or unhygienic.
Together, these two seemingly unrelated developments—one global and policy-driven, the other rooted in individual behavior—provide a snapshot of the broader conversation around digital wellness. They demonstrate how technology shapes both our collective systems and our private routines. The push for digital literacy aims to empower people to use technology meaningfully and responsibly, to engage in informed civic life, and to access economic and educational opportunities. At the same time, the growing focus on the health implications of everyday digital habits reflects the need for greater awareness of how and when we use our devices.
In many ways, September 8 served as a reminder that digital wellness is multifaceted. It encompasses access to information and education, the ability to navigate online spaces safely, and the mindfulness to recognize when technology may be encroaching on our physical or mental well-being. These issues do not exist in silos; they are deeply intertwined. The same smartphone that enables a student to access an online class is also the device someone else uses during bathroom breaks—sometimes to their detriment. The common denominator is the need for conscious, informed engagement with the digital tools that have become central to modern life.
As digital technologies continue to evolve and permeate nearly every aspect of daily living, the importance of cultivating healthy, equitable, and informed digital habits has never been more critical. International Literacy Day and the seemingly minor smartphone-health advisory both remind us that digital life is not separate from real life. The ways we use our devices—what we consume, how long we spend on them, and where we use them—can have ripple effects on our health, our learning, and our broader social structures. Awareness is the first step toward building healthier relationships with the technology we depend on.
