Exploring the Impact of Digital Detoxification on Higher Education Students' Learning

Introduction

Technology and new digital tools can improve student learning. But the opposite may also be true. The explosion of technology and digital media can help students understand how these technologies influence consumer behaviour and how marketers use them. Digital detox is a widely used term for a situation where a person “takes a step back” from all electronic and digital devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, computers). The goal is to alleviate the stress, anxiety, and depression that often result from too much exposure to the digital world and to focus on real relationships and connections to real-world events. One of the best ways to digitally detox is to get into a green environment. However, a period of digital detox can help you better understand the importance of technology in today’s life and learn how to manage its role in society. It is a beneficial addition to our daily life. Young people, in particular, need a deep understanding of how technology can help them in education and other areas of life. However, you must be careful not to engage with the technology and make it not worth your time. To achieve this goal, teachers and educators can play an important role in helping students develop mindfulness through digital detox sessions. These three tips will help you: A digital detox should allow a person to relax. It is, therefore, important to help students and children choose successful goals and avoid the risk of disappointment if the task is unsuccessful. It’s a good idea to start by setting small limits each day. For example, students can be invited to slowly eliminate the presence of their technological devices from some parts of their day. This kind of “gradual detoxing” helps to eliminate digital dependencies incrementally. Students feel more in control and can focus on thinking about the usefulness of their devices and how they interact with them instead of focusing on the bad sensation of feeling “empty” because of withdrawal symptoms created by a total sharp interruption. The Covid-19 pandemic gave rise to e-Learning and EdTech like never before. Education can no longer be associated within the four walls. By exploring technological solutions and prioritising education, various institutions and individuals have invested time and effort in giving the best e-learning experiences to students. But in the era of e-learning, eliminating digital clutter has become essential as students spend more time on screens throughout the day for learning or entertainment. Research from Guilford Journals suggests limiting social media use to 30 minutes daily can improve mental health and well-being. Others said you should limit screen time to at least three weeks to see noticeable changes. Constant use of technology can cause mental and physical stress for students and teachers. Using a smartphone or tablet for long periods can be tiring and harmful. Often, parents don’t know how to encourage their students to spend more time using digital devices because these devices fail to meet their children’s needs when they need them most. Some work and strategies may be needed to help students break free from digital media. Overuse of technology – whether it is time spent on smartphones, social media or other digital screens – can lead to unexpected consequences and create its effects. The rise of the Internet and digital devices has somewhat changed people’s lives. However, excessive use of this technology can lead to physical and mental fatigue, affecting not only one’s health but also the relationship quality of students and parents. To prevent this, parents must demonstrate the same behaviour. Sometimes, parents may not be aware of the inappropriate content and online harassment their children are being exposed to. While it is important to incorporate digital detox programs into students’ daily lives, parents should also be aware of the problems that arise from excessive use of digital devices. A digital detox is nothing more than limiting the use of electronic devices for a certain period. There are many fun detox challenges/guides created by various authors that can be helpful to students. This includes taking regular breaks, spending time outdoors, and posting school times. Parents can help their wards create a schedule that balances screen time and outdoor time. Taking a digital detox, or at least embracing new, mindful technology practices, can be a healthy development. We must remember that breaking digital habits can be challenging because we do things against our habits. Some mindful steps students can follow include taking short breaks from screens. Ophthalmologists also recommend following the 20:20:20 rule. That means spending 20 minutes on the screen. We must look at or focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Another step you can take is to spend time outdoors after learning online. Physical activity always makes more sense and is a great way to distract yourself from other thoughts. Automatic reminders that help people stop checking their phones. Parents can prevent their children from waking up and looking at their phones after bedtime. Counselling and teaching students how to regulate their emotions (FOMO – Fear of Missing Out) can also be very effective. It turns out that time away from electronic devices can also benefit our brains.