Why a Digital Detox Matters

The Misfortune of Digital Progress

Today digital information floods in from smartphones and everywhere else, and many people seem to need it. But is that much digitization really necessary? I have my doubts.

Getting information instantly, with everyone able to access the same information wherever they are, does seem very convenient. But unnecessary information is just as easy to get, and we often end up spending lots of time on it, wasting precious moments.

Wasted Time

For example, you get curious about baseball and search for which team won, then an ad catches your eye, and you drift further and further from your original purpose — and regret the wasted time later. So-called net surfing.

Doubts About Young People's Easy Access to Digital Information

Now even primary-school children have tablets, and parents buy smartphones for their children for safety. Being able to contact them and confirm they're safe if something happens is certainly a good reason.

Parents' Responsibility

On the other hand, children can easily access information they don't need, and cases of them being drawn into crime have become striking recently — through social media, children who can't yet judge right from wrong get caught up in crimes.

I think parents who give them phones bear responsibility too. Buying one and then turning a blind eye while the child browses whatever they like or gets absorbed in games is a big problem. I also worry that children who can't have phones because of poverty may be bullied.

» Parents, children and the internet: on giving kids smartphones

No More Boundary Between Work and Private Life

Now that messaging apps make communication so easy, LINE messages arrive after work, and even at home it can feel as if you're still working. If your boss emails asking about a document, you can't ignore it; you have to check and reply.

In the past, a phone call might have ended with “I'll check tomorrow.” Now even documents are sent digitally, so more and more you have no choice but to deal with the issue, and sometimes you can't relax at a bar or at home. It feels as if your boss and company bind you even after work. Those who notice this are better off; many carry stress without even realizing it.

Cutting Off Digital Information

As I said, internet access and devices are certainly necessary, but sometimes they seem to become devilish devices too. I think it's worth boldly leaving your phone at home and going outdoors to refresh your mind. Just one day free of everything, doing what you truly enjoy at your own pace, releases stress.

If we had such digital-detox time once or twice a month, I think we could return to work and family with fresh, positive minds and do our best.

Mental Benefits of a Digital Detox

Everyone knows that living with stress is bad for body and mind. Yet many can't act on that knowledge, end up with mental or physical illness, and regret it then. The first priority is keeping your mind and body healthy.

» Is a digital detox worth doing?

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