Digital Detox: How To Overcome Digital Addiction

Many people are who are addicted to their devices are increasingly seeking digital detox. Presently, millions of people are addicted to the phone, the Internet, and social media. Although this may seem like a minor problem, when you consider that even youngsters and teenagers are addicted to this phenomenon, you will notice that it is a serious issue.

Children in the United Kingdom spend approximately 6 1/2 hours on their mobile screens while adults spend an average of eight hours and 41 minutes every day,  which is more than the time they spend sleeping. An average smartphone user checks the device over 100 times every day, and he or she does so the first thing in the morning. U.K. citizens spend 25 hours online per week, an increase of nearly 2 1/2 times since 2005.

[su_quote class=”cust-pagination”]“Social media is changing the way we communicate and the way we are perceived, both positively and negatively. Every time you post a photo, or update your status, you are contributing to your own digital footprint and personal brand.” — Amy Jo Martin [/su_quote]

Why Is Digital Detox Important?

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Nearly 50% of the adults in the UK admit to being addicted to their smartphones. This is not different in America and other parts of the world. Among smartphone users, 80% claim that the first thing they do in the morning is to check their smartphone. Also, 66% of smartphone owners suffer from ‘nomophobia,’ which is a fear of being without or losing one’s phone at some time. Therefore, they keep on checking to ensure that their phones are within reach. Women are more affected by this condition than men, while children are complaining that parents are adopting double standards with regard to the usage of smartphones.

There is a strong link between the heavy usage of Internet and depression. According to studies, people who are constantly on the Internet are more than five times susceptible to depression than moderate Internet users.

Facebook also creates depressive symptoms, giving the victim low self-esteem according to research. Increased smartphone usage also causes anxiety.

A study by the University of Pittsburgh shows that people who use seven to 10 social media platforms are three times likelier to be depressed than the people who use one social media platform. The study also reveals that staying off from social media increases one’s level of happiness.

Smartphone addiction can also cause problems such as neuroticism and narcissism among the users. Digital addiction is a major problem among millions, and the only treatment seems to be digital detox.

How Is Digital Detox Conducted?

Logging of the Internet or leaving the cell phone behind is not an easy task for addicted people. Such people are likely to stay in denial or may just not have the time needed for the detox. For them, it is hard to switch off from technology until they get a long-term glimpse into the benefits of digital detox. Clinics that offer digital detox services fully understand the problems that people face, so they have designed different concepts for every individual.

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Such clinics are teaching people the downsides of being connected to technology while helping them to unplug. The sessions are generally two hours long; they are fun and equip the addicted person with all the information necessary to overcome digital addiction.

For people who are uncomfortable with group sessions,  arrangements are in place for them to access 90-minute sessions after completing an online questionnaire about their device usage. Individual sessions try to identify the individual’s particular areas of difficulties and provide the necessary tools to win this battle.

[su_quote class=”cust-pagination”]“The idea behind digital computers may be explained by saying that these machines are intended to carry out any operations which could be done by a human computer.” — Alan Turing [/su_quote]

The number of people who are addicted to technology could be higher than the numbers of people who are dealing with alcohol and substance abuse. However, researchers have developed a solution for this addiction. If you are an addict, please try to detox.