A healthier life is possible with "Digital Detox"!
"Digital detox", which will be carried out shortly before the opening of schools, can create an important awareness for both students and parents, this process can offer students the opportunity for a healthier life, and relieve mental fatigue and stress.
Pointing out that using digital technologies means receiving constant notifications and trying to mentally catch up with the constantly flowing information, Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay stated that "Therefore, our capacity to focus is negatively affected by this, and our minds get tired. A digital detox can reduce mental fatigue by enabling a deeper and more uninterrupted focus."
Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication New Media and Communication Department Head Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay drew attention to the importance of "Digital Detox" shortly before the opening of schools.
Digital technologies are in almost every aspect of our lives
Stating that digital technologies penetrate every aspect of our lives, Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay expressed that "Digital technologies exist in almost every aspect of our lives and often make our lives easier. However, the technological tools and social media platforms that we use for very long hours and almost addictively can do as much harm as they are beneficial. Staying connected all the time can also cause distraction and stress. Intensive use of digital communication technologies can also have negative effects on physical health. When social relations are carried out continuously and only with digital communication tools, the depth of relationships can decrease."
Digital detox is an experience that individuals apply by their own choice
Pointing out that Johann Hari's book "Stolen Focus" describes the effects of digital technologies on people and social life in great detail, Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay stated that "One of the solutions produced for all these problems is digital detox. It involves individuals staying away from mobile phones, tablets, and social media channels for a certain period of time. It is an experience that individuals apply by their own choice, not by external intervention. While there are those who completely restrict digital detox for certain periods, there are also those who apply it by giving themselves a limited period of use."
What are the benefits of a digital detox?
Explaining the benefits of digital detox, Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay continued her remarks as follows:
"When we practice a digital detox, we can find time to turn to alternative activities such as physical activities, spending time in nature, face-to-face social interactions, and engaging in personal hobbies. For example, we spend a lot of time on social media whether we realize it or not. We postpone or stop doing many activities that can be done at this time. Digital detox can be instrumental in returning to these activities that we neglect and cannot spare time for. There may be an alleviation of physical ailments caused by the use of digital technologies."
The effects of digital detox on social relationships...
Pointing out that social relations are affected both positively and negatively by digital technologies, Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay stated that "On the one hand, it allows us to stay connected with others without distances and time limits, and on the other hand, it reduces face-to-face communication. Mobile phones cause problems due to their habit of constantly looking at the screen, even during face-to-face communication. Phubbing, that is, looking at mobile phones and ignoring one's companion, negatively affects both family communication and relationships, as well as communication between friends and couples. Digital detox can also be used to reduce these problems. For example, opportunities can be created for conversation and sharing when the family spends time together at certain times (for example, at the dinner table) or when the use of the phone is restricted on some days."
Digital detox also reduces the stress of missing out on social media
Pointing out that using digital technologies means receiving constant notifications and trying to mentally catch up with the constantly flowing information, Assoc. Prof. Gül Esra Atalay stated that "Therefore, our capacity to focus is negatively affected by this, and our minds get tired. A digital detox can reduce mental fatigue by enabling a deeper and more uninterrupted focus. Since the use of social media can also cause problems such as FMO, that is, fear of missing out, comparing oneself to others, and bad news addiction, digital detox can relieve people by reducing this stress and anxiety."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)