The Reasons Why People Need Digital Detox

Technology revolves around us; our lives have improved considerably with technology but, relying on them too much can have harmful effects. A research has shown that people can be addicted to these devices very much like substance abuse and with this dependence; efficiency, joy and creativity are greatly reduced (Wallace, 2014). A process called digital detox allows people to interact socially in the physical world by refraining from these electronic devices momentarily, therefore fighting the symptoms of burnouts, loss of concentrations and unending distraction (Kotenko, 2013).

Disconnecting from technology increases attention span, reduces addiction, lowers social isolation by building healthier relationships and reinforces better communication. With digital detoxification the social, emotional and cognitive benefits are immense.

It is known that distraction affects a person’s performance. The brain can process information at a time, with information overload it can strain the mind in attempts to solving an ongoing business (Breene, 2015). As humans, we are in constant connection to the wired devices which invariably can take a price in a person’s personal and professional well-being (Rosen & Samuel, 2015). According to Frank Furedi, “sadly ours is an Age of Distraction” para 1 page 1 (Furedi, 2015) individuals attention span has been weakened due to the continuous buzzing of various gadgets on a person’s desks, bags and pockets. People tend to make considerable amount of errors while multitasking, as because the brain gets overwhelmed with information (Seaward, 2015). In the article by Leah Eichler, companies like Volkswagen shut off employee’s emails for a duration of 30 minutes before commencing onto their next shift (Eichler, 2012).

Technology has indeed made human lives easier by making information accessible to everyone and connecting different people around the globe. However, spending excessive time with various forms of gadgets can lead to digital addiction, which is an uncontrollable need or urge to check updates and profiles of a social network. A publication by the American Psychiatric Association in the statistical Manual of Mental Disorder has shown that people who are young are more susceptible to digital addiction (Wallace, 2014). As a result; their academic performances, mental and physical wellbeing of these youths are greatly hindered. Digital addiction develops when a person is being depressed, stressed and isolated, they tend to find these gadgets a form of escape and comfort (Wallace, 2014). A person can experience unpleasant thoughts, sleep deprivation and change in behavior while not being in touch with these social gadgets temporarily (Wallace, 2014). For these addicts applying Internet blocking software’s, setting up whole day twitter summary and reading them later can greatly reduce the addiction (Lisa, 2014).

Proper human interaction is peeled off when an individual is clinging on to their digital gadgets. Today people can have full conversations through the computer screen while stuttering in person. Our ideas and thoughts have been put on to the new podium with the arrival of technology, but consequently it has led to an end to the beautiful face to face interaction. Working places are made flexible with the arrival of technology, but it has a potential to make a working place socially isolating thereby causing stress. In a study it was shown that young adults, who are engaged constantly in social medias such as Instagram’s, Facebook and Snapchat are highly associated with feelings of social isolation. Gina Vega and Louis Brennan (2000), discussed how machines can make a person defenseless and how external stimulation have exerted a controlling effect upon people, they write People choose to lose their “self’” because they cannot bear to be alone and must bond with others and identify with them in some way. Expressed in the language of the electronics industry, the more “connected” you are, the more alone you become. Constant bombardment from media and other sources results in human disconnection. (Para 11 page 471) (Gina and Louis, 2000).

According to the American Institute of Sleep, there is an increase in the rate of sleep deprivation in people whose bedrooms are being invaded with gadgets (Seaward, 2015). A hormone known as Melatonin which is sleep hormone is not produced properly when the quality of a person’s sleep is compromised. Carrying devices in the bedroom disrupts sleep hygiene. Technology can make pleasant wonders, but bedrooms need to be zone free-gadgets (Seaward, 2015).

With the progress of digital age, human history has made an astonishing place to live; by connecting people globally more than ever. However, there are some undesirable psychological and social impact upon staring onto a screen more than the desired need. Healthy relationships should be formed with the use of these digital devices to prevent noxious effect from these gadgets. Setting a positive social attitude and building awareness around these tools will help the future generation in combatting the side effects of digital intoxication (Kotenko, 2013).

Works Cited

1. Breene, K. (2015). The effects of technology overload on productivity and wellbeing. Harvard Business Review.
2. Eichler, L. (2012). Shutting down email to improve productivity. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/shutting-down-email-to-improve-productivity/article530092/
3. Furedi, F. (2015). Our age of distraction. Aeon. Retrieved from https://aeon.co/essays/ours-is-an-age-of-distraction-and-there-s-no-escape
4. Gina, V., & Louis, B. (2000). Mobile phones, the Internet, and the strategic reconstruction of the self. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30(3), 470-480.
5. Kotenko, J. (2013). The benefits of a digital detox. Good Housekeeping.
6. Lisa, W. (2014). How to cure internet addiction. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-emotional-footprint/201402/how-cure-internet-addiction
7. Rosen, L., & Samuel, M. (2015). The impact of the Internet on society: A global perspective. The Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 17(1), 21-34.
8. Seaward, B. L. (2015). Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and well-being (9th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
9. Wallace, P. (2014). The psychology of the Internet. Cambridge University Press.
10. Wallace, P. (2014). The social and psychological impact of online social networking. The Oxford Handbook of Internet Psychology, 1, 151-166.