By Kiara Amaya

Most of us have found ourselves endlessly scrolling through the infinite “For You” page or “Explore” feed. Sure, having access to just about anything we could imagine tucked away in our pocket is definitely appealing, however, the contents inside can lead to a world of issues.

The idea of disconnecting from social media platforms that consume so much of our time and focus may seem unconventional and even difficult; however, there are growing online movements that push for social media detoxes. Many people have eliminated social media platforms from their lives entirely.

First and foremost, digital detoxes allow for a reclamation of one of life’s most valuable things: time. The time spent endlessly scrolling is ours for the taking. By taking a step back, our focus can be shifted to doing things we enjoy in our free time. Without social media, you can take up that hobby you’ve always wanted to try out or read that book you’ve been eyeing.

Excessive social media usage has also long been associated with negative mental health symptoms. A 2018 study published in the peer-reviewed Child Development Journal states that excessive use of technology increases the risk for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression among teenagers. Additionally, social media usage was found to worsen ADHD symptoms and decrease self-regulation skills.

Additionally, your social media feeds constantly promote a culture of comparison. More than once you’ve likely found yourself comparing your life to snippets of the lives of others, whether that’s seeing your friend on vacation or physical comparison to a person online causing you to feel a lowered sense of self-esteem. Taking a break from social media allows for the perfect opportunity to refresh your mind and realize your self-worth. This can help you develop a strong sense of self and confidence, and realize what you actually like and value, away from the pull of trends and influence that lead you to seek validation through these platforms.

Research has also indicated that using technology and social media can decrease sleep quantity and disrupt its patterns. The National Library of Medicine found that the blue light that devices, such as your phone, emit can disrupt the circadian rhythm or your body’s internal clock. This exposure suppresses melatonin levels, making it difficult to fall asleep and leading to a cycle of drowsiness throughout the day. Despite this, it is extremely common for teenagers to stay up on their phones, check them right before bed, and use them if they can’t fall asleep. These habits only decrease your ability to get a good night’s sleep which is vital to growth and development.

“During sleep, the body restores, repairs, and heals itself,” school nurse Kimberly Tran said. “Getting enough sleep can improve one’s health, mood, alertness, memory, creativity, and decision-making. In contrast, lack of sleep may cause a person to be less healthy, less focused, more irritable, more frustrated, or more upset. Inadequate sleep can lead to poor decision-making and memory issues, reduced creativity, and slower reaction times. Therefore, adequate sleep helps teens become happier and perform better in school and other daily activities.”

Whether you consciously limit your social media intake, take a short break, or remove social media from your life completely, taking a break from digital distractions can help you navigate a more balanced and fulfilling life. Digital detox is not about separating yourself from technology but rather reclaiming control over social media’s influence over your life.