Digital Detox: Why Taking a Break from Technology Can Improve Your Well-Being

Download or read book Digital Detox: Why Taking a Break from Technology Can Improve Your Well-Being written by Bernadette H. Schell and published by ABC-CLIO. This book was released on 2022-03-22 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Health professionals and the general public are becoming increasingly aware that addiction to the internet, social media, online games, and other forms of technology has become a real problem with significant negative impacts on physical, psychological, and social health. To combat this issue, some are now undertaking a "digital detox," and many options have emerged to help individuals unplug, whether for a weekend or for longer-term change. Digital Detox: Why Taking a Break from Technology Can Improve Your Well-Being explores both the dark side of technology's ever-present existence in today's world and what individuals can do to find better balance in their digital lives. Part I explores addiction to the internet and other novel technologies. What effect does overindulgence in social media, gaming, online shopping, or even "doomscrolling" through internet news sites have on our self-esteem, relationships with others, and happiness? This section also explores how researchers study and quantify technology addiction. Part II focuses on the digital detox countermovement, examining how various programs, support groups, retreats, and even technology itself can help individuals conquer their digital addictions.