The most recent study conducted in November 2024 by Reveal Marketing Research, a company providing full services in market and sociological research, brings to the forefront Romanians’ perception of digital detoxification – a process of temporarily giving up the internet and technology to restore internal balance.
According to the survey results, 32% of urban residents in Romania have tried digital detoxification at least once. Those most open to this experience are young people aged between 18 and 24 – among them, 47% have practiced a digital detox. Also, the percentage is above average among parents with children under 18 (37%), compared to 29% among those without children.
Among the main motives that drive people to “disconnect” are reducing stress levels (50%), eliminating distractions (44%), and the desire to protect privacy (14%).
The majority of participants gave up the online environment and technology for a few days (62%), while 20% chose to disconnect for several weeks. Regarding the impact on emotional and psychological states, 66% of respondents reported a positive effect, while 33% observed a neutral impact. None of the participants reported a negative experience.
These data confirm that digital detoxification is no longer a simple exotic trend, but an increasingly appreciated practice in contemporary society. People’s desire to slow down the pace, to reconnect with themselves and reality in a conscious way, represents a clear sign that, despite the expansion of technology, the need for harmony and personal well-being remains essential.
In this context, Delia Mina, a psychotherapist specialized in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, subtly explains the mechanisms by which the human brain functions. In her opinion, internet use is closely linked to the brain’s reward system, which associates certain actions or stimuli with states of pleasure, thus driving us to repeat that behavior. When the brain receives a reward, the level of dopamine increases, inducing a sensation of satisfaction and general well-being that draws us deeper and deeper into the digital universe.
“If a behavior offers a constant and rapid reward, such as social networks, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and so on, it can lead to addiction. It is exactly that same mechanism that happens in the case of gambling and drug use, for example, where the reward system is hyperactivated,” adds the psychotherapist.
Delia emphasizes that in the long term, this habit affects the ability to obtain pleasure from natural activities or those that require more effort, such as reading, real conversations, or sports. Excessive internet use can lead to decreased motivation, difficulties in concentrating, informational superficiality, emotional exhaustion, and the absence of boredom – an essential factor for stimulating creativity and generating original ideas.
It is essential to recognize the moment when a break from internet use or careful monitoring of time spent online becomes necessary. It is not just about limiting access to the digital environment, but about developing conscious control over how it influences daily life.
A clear sign of the necessity of such monitoring appears when it becomes difficult to spend time offline without feeling discomfort. If the simple act of sitting at the table with others without checking the phone or reading a book without feeling anxiety and the need to go online becomes a challenge, it is an indication that the balance between digital and real life must be reevaluated.
The psychotherapist emphasizes the importance of clear strategies and preparation steps to begin an effective digital detox process that does not create additional stress but brings balance and mental clarity.
Strategies for reducing distractions:
– Set clear limits: allocate dedicated time for technology-free activities.
– Phone-free zones: the table, the bedroom, and social meetings should be moments of real, not digital, connection.
– Use the internet consciously: use it for educational and creative purposes, not just for passive consumption.
– Offline activities: sports, art, reading, or time spent in nature help rebalance the nervous system and reconnect with the self.
How to prepare for a digital detox:
– Gradually reduce time spent online, avoiding sudden changes that can cause anxiety.
– Replace screen time with pleasant and useful activities that offer real satisfaction.
– Pay attention to positive changes: observe how your psychological state, motivation, and the quality of your relationships evolve.
These simple but effective measures can transform digital detoxification into a gentle and beneficial process of reconnecting with reality and one’s own needs. A digital detox does not mean giving up, but regaining control. It is a step toward a more conscious, more present, and mentally healthier life.
Articol by Natalia Karaheorhi, 1st year Master, Thematic Journalism