Luca Chittaro is full professor of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Udine, Italy, where he heads the HCI Lab. He has co-authored over 200 international publications, and he is an ACM Distinguished Speaker.Professor Chittaro’s principal interestsare in the effects of technology on human beings, and in the disciplined design of digital technologies for human use. He particularly focuses on systems to train people in facing risky and stressful situations, and to promote positive attitude and behavior change in users, especially in the health and safety domains. He has led projects funded by institutions such as the US FAAand the EU.

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The 21st century saw a massive transition from traditional face-to-face communication to computer- and smartphone - mediated interaction between individuals. Some of the positive and negative effects of this significant social change are not yet fully understood, and are the subject of a growing amount of research. This talk will introduce attendees to this new topic, illustrating factors that characterize how we communicate and relate digitally, and how they affect us. It will then explore the paradox of digital loneliness, in which the same technologies that offer us a huge, unprecedented number of connections with other people make us actually spend more and more time alone. Digital tools such as instant messaging and social networks, as any technology, have a dual use (bad and good), and the talk will highlight how a mindful approach to digital relationships is fundamental to benefit, instead of suffering, from the new opportunities of digital life.