Member-only story
Do Digital Detoxes Really Help?
Getting off your device has multiple benefits for your life and brain
A quarter of American adults worry that they have ADHD, and a majority want to reduce their screen time or social media use. Schools are limiting access to smart phones and electronic devices. Digital detoxes are a popular topic on — of course — the internet. But how much do they really help?
A plethora of anecdotal evidence indicates that after taking a digital detox many individuals feel more positive, think more clearly, and display less anxiety.
People can connect to the internet via desktop or portable devices, for differing lengths of time, at multiple times of day, and explore a multitude of online content. It’s not clear which of those variables may be causing the most damage to our cognitive functioning and ability to regulate ourselves.
Beyond just individual stories documenting the benefits of unplugging from the internet, researchers are beginning to demonstrate recovery of brain capabilities and improvement in well-being from digital detoxes. Several studies indicate that complete abstinence isn’t necessary for some of these benefits.
