Short digital detox phases do not bring any clear benefits
Many influencers and other users limit their use of social media for a week in the hope of positive effects. A small British study now shows that with just a few days of abstinence, the positive and negative effects are more likely to balance each other out. Withdrawal-like effects were not found, as the research duo writes in the journal "PLOS One".
Michael Wadsley and Niklas Ihssen from Durham University included 51 moderate to heavy users of social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube in their analysis. Research had suggested that an abrupt cessation of social media use could lead to withdrawal symptoms similar to drug use and that "digital detox" had a positive effect on well-being and mental health.
For their 18 to 25-year-old test subjects - 16 men and 35 women - no conspicuous such correlations could be shown, the researchers explain. The restriction of use had nuanced and potentially opposing effects on well-being. The restriction could eliminate experiences that trigger negative emotions - such as social comparisons or the fear of missing out on something. However, this also applies to positive emotions such as social recognition.
High relapse rate
Although most of the participants were able to significantly reduce their use of social media throughout the week, only seven successfully remained completely abstinent. The relapse rate was therefore very high. In addition, many stated that they spent more time playing video games or shopping online to compensate. There were no requirements to restrict cell phone use overall in the study.
It could be that potential negative effects were prevented by switching to other digital offerings and the predominantly limited, but not completely stopped, use of social media, the research duo explained. Larger studies would have to follow. In any case, people who simply turn their backs on social media for a few days are unlikely to experience any significant effects on their own mood.
Lack of a clear definition
Leonard Reinecke from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, who was not involved in the study, is critical of the research on "digital detox" overall. The definition alone is unclear. In addition, the professor of media effects and media psychology said that the imposition of restrictions that were not of their own choosing already gave test subjects a negative feeling.
Reinecke does not believe that heavy social media or smartphone use is an addiction. This is "certainly completely unfounded in the vast majority of cases". There is only a very small proportion of users who actually exhibit problematic and addictive behavior. Moreover, these users often have various addictions at the same time. Ultimately, the smartphone has become a central hub for many different applications that can trigger both positive and negative habits, said Reinecke. The central step must be self-reflection. For example: "What am I actually doing with my smartphone on social media? What do I find enriching? What is good for me?" This could break potential negative loops.
- Despite the high reliance on telecommunications for social affairs, the study found that a complete withdrawal from social media for a week did not significantly improve health or psychology for most participants.
- In the realm of science, researchers have proposed that limiting social media use could have positive effects on mental health, but recent studies suggest that the benefits may not outweigh the drawbacks.
- In light of conflicting findings, the field of psychology may need to reconsider its stance on digital detox, as the impact of Internet use on overall well-being remains unclear.
Source: www.dpa.com
