Dr. Joanne Orlando (PhD) is Australia's foremost authority on digital wellbeing, currently shaping public discourse through her Sydney Morning Herald column and regular television commentary. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, education, and mental health, with particular emphasis on:
"Technology itself is never the protagonist - it's always about how we choose to live with it."
Recent Recognition: 2024 recipient of the Australian Academy of Science Medal for Public Engagement, honoring her work translating complex digital behavior research into accessible public resources .
Dr. Joanne Orlando has carved a unique niche as a digital wellbeing pioneer, blending academic rigor with mainstream media accessibility. Over her 15-year career, she's transitioned from educational technology research at Western Sydney University to becoming Australia's most visible commentator on human-tech relationships. Her work bridges the ivory tower and suburban living rooms, particularly through her regular TV appearances on Sunrise and The Project [3][4][8].
This ABC piece exemplifies Orlando's ability to translate complex developmental psychology into actionable parenting advice. She introduces her "3C Framework" - Competence, Context, and Consequences - while critiquing one-size-fits-all age restrictions. The article's impact led to its adaptation into school digital literacy programs across New South Wales [6].
In this Startup Daily op-ed, Orlando challenges Australia's proposed social media ban for children under 16. She draws parallels between digital safety and comprehensive sex education, arguing for "harm minimization" over prohibition. The piece sparked parliamentary debate and influenced the Australian eSafety Commissioner's revised guidance documents [9].
Her 2021 bestseller synthesizes a decade of research into practical strategies for digital intentionality. The book introduces the "Tech Clever" methodology, emphasizing behavior-based digital hygiene over screen time metrics. Translated into 12 languages, it's become required reading in digital psychology courses globally [3][5].
Orlando prioritizes stories examining how people use technology over the technologies themselves. Successful pitches might explore workplace Slack etiquette or grandparent-grandchild video call dynamics. Avoid pure product launches or spec sheets [1][8].
She favors research showing technology effects over 5+ years, like her own work tracking iPad use in NSW schools since 2012. Pitch longitudinal datasets showing behavioral shifts, particularly multigenerational comparisons [2][5].
Rather than existential AI risks, Orlando explores mundane applications like homework chatbots or elder care robots. A recent piece analyzed AI-generated birthday messages' impact on social bonds [8][5].
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Tech, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
