- By Prateek Levi
- Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mental health and cognitive function:This new era that we live in is almost incomplete without our handy smartphones, they have now become a necessary extension of our daily lives. Imagine being completely cut off from your mobile and internet, boring and scary, right? Guess what, a new research suggests that indulging in a digital detox- specifically cutting off that internet usage, can do wonders for your mental health. It can be beneficial for boosting your attention and overall well-being as well.
A research was conducted by multiple universities in the US and Canada, the study spanning a month involved 467 iPhone users, with an average age of 32 years. In this study instead of completely cutting off access to their smartphones, the researchers took a different approach, a more practical way to do this and asked the participants to install an app that blocked mobile internet while the option to call and text was still available.
This ensured that only essential communication went through, and the constant social media notifications and endless scrolling were halted. The results we staggering as just after two weeks of no mobile internet and doom scrolling and social media, participants reported very positive feedback, they were happier and more mentally satisfied with their lives.
This improvement can be compared to the effect Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) will have on you and also a reduction in age-related cognitive decline. That's not it, participants also showcased improved focus and better performance in attention tests. This is like reversing 10 years of cognitive aging.
What Is The Science Behind The Digital Detox?
An average smartphone user spends at least five hours a day with their smartphones and some have screen times even surpassing that, and more than half of Americans have admitted that they spend too much time with their smartphones, so the researchers wanted to find out what would actually happen if people were asked to disconnect and break free from constant connectivity. The study's credibility was reinforced by switching the groups midway: participants who had initially blocked mobile internet were given access again, while the control group was required to block it. This method ensured that the positive outcomes were a result of reduced internet access, rather than external influences.
Key Findings: The Life-Altering Impact of Disconnecting from Mobile Internet
Mental Health and Well-being: Those who blocked mobile internet experienced a notable boost in happiness, with benefits surpassing the typical effects of antidepressant medications in clinical trials.
Enhanced Focus and Cognitive Function: Participants who took a break from mobile internet performed better in attention tests, highlighting that constant internet access may disrupt our ability to concentrate.
Engagement in More Meaningful Activities: Without immediate access to the Internet, participants spent more time socializing face-to-face, exercising, and spending time outdoors—activities known to improve mental health.
Improved Sleep Quality: Participants enjoyed an average of 17 extra minutes of sleep each night, likely due to a decrease in nighttime phone usage.
Reduced Digital Anxiety: Interestingly, individuals with high levels of "fear of missing out" (FOMO) saw the greatest improvements, suggesting that constant online engagement may contribute to, rather than alleviate, digital anxiety.
Challenges You Might Encounter If You Start Disconnecting
Although there are clear benefits that the experiment has showcased, it is a routine that is not easy to stick to, and only about 25% of the participants could maintain their pace and block the internet for two whole weeks. This is a reminder of how deeply engorged we are in the digital space and our constant reliance on internet connectivity. None the less even those who partly completed the experiment showed signs of improvement.
Completely blocking mobile internet may not be feasible for everyone, but the researchers propose less drastic methods that can still offer benefits. These include:
-Setting designated times for internet use.
-Blocking apps is known to be distracting.
-Taking brief digital detoxes, like “internet-free weekends.”
-Using grayscale mode or limiting notifications to reduce phone temptation.
The study offers strong evidence that constant mobile internet access can negatively affect our psychological well-being. While smartphones provide numerous conveniences, their impact on mental health and focus should not be overlooked.
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