Digital Media Consumption and Its Psychological Impact on Youth: An Experimental Study of Digital Detox Practices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29070/3evr2w68Keywords:
Digital media, digital detox, youth, psychological impact, social media addiction, digital well-being, communication behaviorAbstract
The rapid growth of digital technologies has changed the lifestyle, communication patterns, and psychological experiences of young people all over the world. Social media platforms, smartphones, streaming services, and digital communication tools have become essential to daily life, especially for those aged 18 to 25. While digital media provides chances for education, social connections, entertainment, and self-expression, excessive and unchecked use has been linked to negative psychological effects like anxiety, stress, reduced attention span, emotional dependency, sleep problems, and weaker interpersonal relationships.
This study looks at the psychological and behavioral impact of digital media use among youth through a 24-hour digital detox experiment. It uses an experimental and descriptive research design, choosing 30 student participants from higher education institutions through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using pre-detox and post-detox questionnaires and reflective diaries kept by participants during the detox period. Thematic analysis helped interpret the qualitative data.
The findings show that participants initially faced withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, boredom, and fear of missing out. However, as the detox continued, they reported better emotional stability, improved focus, increased productivity, less mental clutter, and stronger face-to-face interactions. The study also shows that young people's use of digital media is often habitual and unconscious, serving as a way to avoid boredom and seek social approval.
This research adds to the ongoing conversation about digital well-being and points out how effective short-term digital detox programs can be for improving emotional balance and encouraging mindful media use. It stresses the importance of promoting healthy digital practices among students, educators, families, policymakers, and developers of digital platforms.
Downloads
References
1. Alluhidan, A., Akter, M., Alsoubai, A., Park, J., & Wisniewski, P. (2024). Teen talk: The good, the bad, and the neutral of adolescent social media use.
2. American Psychological Association. (2019). Social media use and mental health. APA Reports.
3. Ansari, S., Iqbal, N., Azeem, A., & Danyal, K. (2024). Improving well-being through digital detoxification among social media users: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
4. Arora, S., Arora, S., & Hastings, J. D. (2024). The psychological impacts of algorithmic and AI-driven social media on teenagers: A call to action.
5. Carr, N. (2010). The shallows: What the Internet is doing to our brains. W. W. Norton & Company.
6. Ramadhan, R. N., Rampengan, D. D., Yumnanisha, D. A., &Setiono, S. B. V. (2024). Impacts of digital social media detox for mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Narra Journal.
7. Turkle, S. (2011). Alone together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.
8. Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why today’s super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy—and completely unprepared for adulthood. Atria Books.
9. The Shallows Carr, N. (2010). The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
10. Alone Together Turkle, S. (2011). Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. New York: Basic Books.
11. Alluhidan, M., et al. (2024). “The Psychological Impact of Social Media Usage Among Adolescents.” Journal of Youth Studies, 18(2), 145–160.
12. Arora, P., Arora, K., & Hastings, J. (2024). “AI-Driven Algorithms and Emotional Dependency in Social Media Users.” International Journal of Digital Psychology, 12(1), 55–72.
13. Ansari, R., et al. (2024). “Digital Detox and Its Effects on Depression and Anxiety Among Social Media Users.” Journal of Mental Health and Technology, 9(3), 101–118.
14. Ramadhan, F., et al. (2024). “Short-Term Digital Abstinence and Emotional Well-Being: A Behavioral Study.” Media Psychology Review, 15(4), 220–236.
15. Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., & Gurevitch, M. (1973). “Uses and Gratifications Research.” Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509–523.
16. Media Psychology Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). “Online Communication Among Adolescents: An Integrated Model of Its Attraction, Opportunities, and Risks.” Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(2), 121–127.
17. Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2017). “Social Networking Sites and Addiction: Ten Lessons Learned.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 311.
18. Przybylski, A. K., Murayama, K., DeHaan, C. R., & Gladwell, V. (2013). “Motivational, Emotional, and Behavioral Correlates of Fear of Missing Out.” Computers in Human Behavior, 29(4), 1841–1848.
19. Rosen, L. D., Carrier, L. M., & Cheever, N. A. (2013). “Facebook and Texting Made Me Do It: Media-Induced Task-Switching While Studying.” Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 948–958.
20. Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). “Associations Between Screen Time and Lower Psychological Well-Being Among Children and Adolescents.” Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 271–283.
21. Griffiths, M. D. (2005). “A Components Model of Addiction Within a Biopsychosocial Framework.” Journal of Substance Use, 10(4), 191–197.
22. American Psychological Association. (2023). “Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence.” Washington, DC: APA.
23. World Health Organization. (2021). Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children and Adolescents. Geneva: WHO.
This work is licensed under a 