Digital Detox and Mental Well-being: A Phenomenological Analysis on How Social Media Use Affects Psychological Health

Abstract

The excessive use of social media is linked to cognitive overload and emotional exhaustion, along with reduced emotional well-being. This can prompt individuals to seek a digital detox and use it as a strategy for gaining psychological relief. This study used a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of ten participants who undertook a digital detox voluntarily. The study focuses on their motivations, challenges faced, and the perceived benefits gained from digital detox. Semi-structured interviews with these participants informed the study about the experiences of undergoing digital detox. Findings reveal that participants face loss of autonomy, cognitive overload, and digital fatigue because of overengaging with digital devices. Withdrawal symptoms experienced by participants were deemed crucial as they enabled them to improve their focus and better regulate themselves emotionally. Post-detox benefits include improvement in social interactions and being aware of digital engagement. Despite the findings offering insights into digital well-being, there are limitations concerning retrospective accounts of participants, which can be susceptible to memory bias. Future research can focus on longitudinal and cross-cultural studies.