By Steve Price
The digital revolution has been transformative in the lives of everyday people over the last thirty years or so; everything from the rise of the internet and online communication to social media and the advent of AI software has made an indelible mark on the psyche and the soul of individuals living through these interesting times. Digital technology has reformed what it means to be human through this revolutionary age, with everyone plugged into the digital world through their computers, their phones and their televisions. Life without the internet is not simply unimaginable in 2025, it is impractical and nigh impossible. But does our dependency on the world wide web and new technologies mean we should live our lives as a slave to big tech? Is there a cause for concern with so much of our time being gobbled up by the new technologies that make our lives easier?
In short, is there something to be said about the power of a digital detox?
It may seem impractical in our ever-changing world to imagine giving up our smart devices for a time. But the truth is more nuanced; we have at our disposal a wealth of knowledge in the digital medium that eats away at our time like nothing else. With so much to see and do in the internet webspace, there can be a sensory overload of information that wipes out our time in a never-ending cavalcade of information. Sometimes, we need to stop and just breathe for a moment and process what we have in front of us.
Taking time away from our digital tech might feel difficult, even impossible, but the benefits of a digital detox are numerous. Having the wherewithal to put down your smartphone and take in the fresh air of a world freed from the digital connection can be a boon to your mental and physical wellbeing. Far too often we toil away on our smart devices, often times aimlessly scrolling through social media feeds or news websites looking for the latest information in a world that moves at breakneck speeds. Too often, we miss out on the happenings around us when we are glued to our phones, our tablets and our laptops. We miss out on the human connections that used to be ubiquitous in the world.
Imagine if your phone were to disappear one day, never to return. What would your life look like if you were forced to live life without the failsafe device that keeps us plugged into the digital world? Would you find yourself bored without infinite content at your fingertips? Or would you rediscover the natural world and the many splendors within it? For some, life without a phone may seem incredulous, but there was a time not so long ago when cell phones were the realm of science fiction. And while many in those halcyon days might think us to be living in a realm of science fiction now, the truth is that in many respects our digital future has become a dystopia of adverts and Instagram pages.
A digital detox reconnects people with the outside world in a way that refreshes the soul, just as one would refresh a browser page. It prompts us to look towards others for our entertainment and our information, much as our parents and their parents had to do. Some may see that as being old-fashioned; in reality, it’s the way nature intended us to socialize and make human connections. Being present and in the moment for the happenings of life are what make the human condition worth experiencing. It reconnects us with what is important at a time when knowing what is important is critical to our mental well-being.
Numerous studies have shown the negative impact spending hours upon hours online have had on individuals with respect to their ability to socialize and interact with others. The faceless nature of social media has obfuscated the reality of face-to-face human interactions to the point where people live disconnected lives between how they are in person and how they are online. We create personas for ourselves that fill a need in our lives that could be better served by going out and getting fresh air once in a while, or meeting people the old-fashioned way.
Here is a challenge for those that are willing to take a leap of faith: take a day if possible and give up your smartphones, your laptops and your tablets. Free yourself from the cacophony of noise online and unplug for an afternoon. Take a walk in the park, head to the store to shop instead of doing it online and meet with friends for an afternoon excursion instead of checking their social media profiles. Engineer for yourself a day of adventure and excitement without worrying about what is happening in the digital world for a change. The resulting fervor of living a life unplugged may become too intoxicating to put down.
In this fast-paced world we live in, change can seem difficult, even impossible. But nothing in the digital world can compete with the natural world and the wonders to be found outside your door. The litany of places to go and sights to see, from the big cities to small towns and everything in between are numerous and worth checking out. Meeting new people out and about in the world can establish relationships that will last a lifetime and be more fruitful than empty platitudes online.
The digital world is a wondrous thing, but moderation is key as with any thing that seems too good to be true. Take time out of your schedule to take digital media out of your schedule and experience the world as it was meant to be experienced: up front and personal. In the end, you may just discover an infinite world of possibilities that require neither a smart device or AI to enjoy, just your imagination and your penchant for seeing all that the world has to offer us.
