The Paradox of Digital Detox
When Gen Z Feels the Need to Go Offline
January 28th, 2025
Social media play a fundamental role in users' lives: they are tools that permeate reality entirely, from social aspects to work life. In particular, the existence of Gen Z, raised on apps, is highly influenced by the presence of social platforms, so much so that they are among the generations most affected by FOMO (fear of missing out). The anxiety of missing opportunities and not posting them turns into an existential anguish that seems to crush younger generations and leads to a genuine dependency on social media. According to a recent survey by Deloitte Germany, conducted on 2000 users, 84% of respondents aged 18 to 24 reported using their smartphone "too much", proving how Gen Z is aware of the disproportionate attention they dedicate to social media and its effects on mental health. 56% reported going to bed late, being distracted, or feeling compelled to check their phone, while others mentioned various physical issues such as headaches and eye problems. In response to the growing awareness among younger generations about social media's impact, many users are actively trying to limit their screen time: the so-called digital detox. It’s no surprise, then, that in 2025, the most searched topics on platforms include “disconnecting,” “reducing screen time,” “spending time outdoors,” or even “deleting social media apps.” The most tech-savvy generation so far has developed a kind of aversion to platforms. And now, paradoxically, they are trying to live their lives offline.
@iamvenusnova i dont even remember recording this
original sound - 金星
To combat “nomophobia” - from the English term "no mobile phobia," the growing inability to separate from one’s smartphone - some TikTok users encourage spending several days away from platforms to detox. Among the benefits of taking a break from social media is the stabilization of dopamine spikes caused by likes, comments, and videos, allowing the brain to reset its reward pathways. This helps to break the excessive and compulsive usage that leads to brain rot, according to National Geographic. Furthermore, distancing oneself from social media can lead to better sleep, improved concentration, and reduced stress levels. The tech industry has responded to these needs by turning digital detox into a real business that includes launching specific apps and organizing retreats away from screens. For example, the market for digital detox apps was worth approximately $0.39 billion in 2023, according to Dazed, and is projected to reach around $19.44 billion by 2032. Interest in “digital detox retreats” is also growing, reflecting how social media dependency has become a collective issue. But do these solutions really work?
Apps are “quick fixes”: their promise to users is to cure social media addiction quickly, allowing them to focus on offline activities and outdoor experiences. Among the most famous are Opal, Jomo, and Forest, which claim to improve users’ concentration by reducing the time spent scrolling on phones. However, there is skepticism regarding such tools for promoting digital detox, especially because, on apps like Forest, setting non-usage time is up to individual users, who are also allowed to extend limits that enable them to use their devices. Essentially, it might be more efficient to disable notifications or turn off the phone altogether. Moreover, these initiatives might create an opposite phenomenon: users could feel the need to “make up for” the time spent away from their phones, increasing their social media presence even more than before the detox. Therefore, apps that aim to promote awareness through tracking provide only a fleeting sense of control and fail to establish themselves as a viable long-term solution, akin to diets promising quick weight loss.
@demelzamay So I deleted all my social apps for 4 days. Sometimes the best thing you can do is step back. We all know the endless scrolling you can do on social media, and that feeling of always needing to catch up. But switching it off, grounding yourself and looking up can help remind you, that you are exactly where you need to be. #fyp #digitaldetox #switchingoff #connectingwithothers #girlsnight #mentalhealth #finalyear #unistudent #distraction #emotional #feelings #sad original sound - User1042747549285
Digital detox measures like apps ultimately turn out to be a scam. At their core lies a contradiction: the very tech giants that patented these remedies are the ones who built their fortunes on users’ overuse of smartphones and social media. Now, by charging for solutions like apps or offline retreats, they profit from trying to remedy the harm they caused. Ultimately, what they do is merely give users the illusion of regaining their time and a serene life free from the social anxiety generated by the online world. In a society deeply permeated by technology, it makes little sense to think one can escape it, especially with shortcuts like social detox or apps. The solution should instead focus on analyzing the underlying reasons behind digital dependency, such as loneliness, relationship difficulties, or stress. Consequently, efforts should aim at improving users’ relationships with technology and its tools through long-term solutions, such as better tech education. Ultimately, there is no need for apps or retreats; what’s needed is reflection on the reasons driving the desire to take a break from the online world and finding solutions to address them.