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Digital Detoxing: A Family Necessity

Digital detoxing is crucial for any family. Digital detox not only improves your relationships but also brings you personal good health and happiness.
A group of family and friends digital detoxing on a picnic
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Is your family really together at all the times? No. The truth is that most of the times, we all are engaged or indulged in our digital devices, inspite of being together. This reality may have adverse effects on our relationships as well as on our own health and happiness. That’s why we need digital detoxing. Learn how digital detox has become a family necessity and a solution to many of our mental problems. ~ Ed.

 

If you do not know what digital detoxing is, here’s a heads-up.

Okay, first, a hint for you – digital detoxing is a solution to a lot of problems that you may have experienced by now.

Curious? Here we go.

Our digital age is at a point where our gadgets and smart devices are an extension to ourselves.

As a result, we have become so involved with the screens of our phones that our obsessive nature is distancing us from ourselves.

Ironically, the more connected we get with the cyber world, the less connected we feel from reality.

That’s it. Digital detoxing is a process to bring you closer to yourself – to connect you to the reality.

In other words, a digital detox is a short period where and when you disconnect from all of your digital devices. This process helps you to focus on the present, reduce stress, and indulge in real-life social interactions or other non-digital activities.

Before going further in my plea that digital detoxing is a family necessity, here are a few facts for you to consider.

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Facts About Screen Usage

According to several surveys conducted throughout the last 3 years, it was found that in just the UK; adults are spending at least 9 hours a day on their phones.

Similarly, after seeing the example set by adults, the surprising fact that kids are using smart devices and phones for more than 6 hours a day does not come as that much of a surprise.

The numbers in 2012 that indicated that the average user logs on to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Pinterest, Twitter and more for 1.5 hours daily has increased to a frightful 2.5 hours per day.

Given the nature of the situation, users are expected to be checking their devices every 12 minutes at least once if not more.

To get a better grasp at the dire situation at hand, every ten minutes, at least 34% of the world checks Facebook. And that’s just one of the social media platforms that are being used.

If that is not enough, 46% of Americans, 62% of UK adults and a significant number of established people around the world have recognized the fact that they cannot get through an hour without their phones.

Effects on the Population

The facts are changing for the worse as we progress forward. It is an estimation that by now, almost everyone on Earth has a social media account and a device to access it.

In addition to this, studies in the fields of Psychology and mental health have revealed that the largest number of cases affecting the population is directly or indirectly related to screen time.

Depression

Oxford University researchers in the fields of Psychiatric and Mental health had conducted a survey aimed at reaching out to young individuals regarding their time on social media.

The research was based on determining whether social media use has more benefits or harms for the user.

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After a lot of examinations and careful observations, it was determined that a lot of depression and traumatic experiences that people were less susceptible to facing in real life were originated from social media.

The problem was with the way the social interactions became on the internet.

Online bullying, feeling inferior to those who are able to get the more social following, not getting enough attention or getting the wrong kind of attention, all cases were persisting that social media use has indeed left these people in shambles.

Scrolling through feeds to stay updated seems like a necessity now enough to the point that people have admitted that by just seeing the Facebook logo, the craving to open it and get “updates” on social circles.

Even though real-time interactions have been cut short by a lot, group chatting and live streaming is the new form of communicating with the public.

To that extent, Instagram was rated as the worst social media platform for its impact on young minds.

A lot of young minds started to feel unwanted and neglected to the point that they became patients of chronic depression and addicts which ultimately became the cause for demise in their lives.

In fact, most people admitted that seeing new posts from friends made them more envious, even if they somehow ‘Liked’ the post too.

Isolation

To avoid confrontation with people who were socially famous and had a following, many young victims of social depression adopted isolation.

Keeping themselves locked up in a room and playing games and keeping themselves in a limited social circle that comprises of an as little number of people as possible, Japanese youth realized the term Hikikomori.

The term literally translates into acute social withdrawal. There is a huge population around the world facing the same problems online. Whether it’s a scam, the lack of attention or an escape from a troubled reality, isolation is becoming the last resort these people can go for.

Dependence

For those who wish to have a name for themselves, social media presence is mandatory. Whether you’re an ordinary employee or a businessman or a school student, you need a social presence. Not only to be able to receive and send messages, but to stay updated to your social circle’s activities.

These activities are becoming solely dedicated to social media as every gathering and social event is being organized entirely for the sake of uploading photos and videos and mentions on the platforms.

Every family dinner in each house has people sitting around the table with each person using a smartphone or a smart gadget while they all ‘enjoy a family dinner’.

Not being able to stay away from your phone is now a real phobia by the name of nomophobia. On the other hand, trying to hack someone’s social account is the new harm you can do to someone.

The new concept of getting power over someone is to know how to spy on text messages without installing software. People have been hacked and have fretted over the loss of essentially no valuable data. There are cases of blackmail and malicious frauds being carried out in the same manner.

Digital Detoxing – Wrapping Up

Digital Detoxing literally means to spend a significant amount of time away from the digital realm and getting the time out to focus on the real world.

In fact, digital detoxing is easy to do on a family trip to a remote cabin or place without the internet or any other place where you can lock up your devices for a certain amount of time.

Having been intoxicated by the irrational and delusional versions and circumstances of reality presented by the internet and social media, it is of utmost importance that we try to distance ourselves from our ultimate demise.

Digital Detoxing has had a number of examples that show that it works. After conducting surveys and research-based experiments, it was discovered that staying off of the phone resulted in the patient being emotionally happier and more stable than before.

For all the relationship problems you might be facing with your loved ones, your kids, your friends, digital detoxing might be the way to get you connected with them again.

A lot of doctors and mental health experts have recommended digital detoxing these days as a solution to most of our depressions.

Over to you

What are your thoughts about digital detoxing? Do you take any proactive steps to ensure digital detox and move towards a happier and healthier you and family? Share in the comments.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and the views presented are entirely of the sponsor.

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Disclaimer: Though the views expressed are of the author’s own, this article has been checked for its authenticity of information and resource links provided for a better and deeper understanding of the subject matter. However, you're suggested to make your diligent research and consult subject experts to decide what is best for you. If you spot any factual errors, spelling, or grammatical mistakes in the article, please report at [email protected]. Thanks.

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  1. I need to do this so bad. I did a detox at home about a year ago with my family and everyone found better things to do and I think it improved sleep! And I have young kids. I had to force myself to be an example for them and it paid off.

    Of course it. Getting away for a detox sounds like an awesome idea.

  2. The young generation is facing serious effects like depression due to the overuse of social media.

  3. Thanks for this. I definitely agree with your post, and I do indeed hang out with family and friends. Mainly it’s been my neighbor across the hall, but I’ve managed over the years to hang out and socialize with others as well. But I also think that for someone like me, technology is a necessity in life. Perhaps not all the time though. I am a long-time screen reader user, and rely exclusively on audio for reading and writing and, more recently, getting around.

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