What is digital minimalism? Digital detox how to

By Jane Corscadden

19 September 2020

What is digital minimalism? Is a digital detox effective or just another millennial fad? Check out this digital detox how to, to find out more.

Screen-free week, social media detoxes and screen-less Sundays. We are seeing more of these movements to restrict our use of digital devices popping up recently.

Statista found that in 2019 in the UK those aged 16 to 64 spent five and a half hours on average on the internet. You cant blame us for wanting a break from it now and again.

What is digital minimalism?

In 2016, computer science professor Cal Newport wrote a book about how to stay focused in an increasingly busy world.

In the book he proposed that in order to live a purposeful life, we need to be intentional with how we spend our time.

He argues we spend too much time on shallow work (emails, checking social media) and not enough time on the meaningful deep work we would like to be doing (for instance, writing if youre a writer).

Newport argues that the internet and all its tools can be used for good and bad. The importance is striking a balance.

For him, this balance lies in digital minimalism having more control over how we spend our time online.

Digital detox how to

Do you feel like your life has been taken over by the internet and social media? Dont despair theres a way you can take back control.

You can do this through a digital detox. Firstly, if we look at Cal Newports thinking behind digital minimalism, there are three essential elements:

Choice and intention: Accept youre still using technology but only what you want and in ways it connects to your values
Optimising the tools you use: Separate the good tech from the bad tech what you use needs to work for you
Accept you wont be everywhere all the time: Many apps survive on keeping you hooked by making you feel like youre missing out

Newport suggests a 30-day digital detox does the trick to stop your online obsession.

During this 30-day period, you take a break from using the optional technologies in your life. Essentially, any tech you dont need to do your job.

During this break youll explore activities and behaviours you find satisfying and meaningful. After 30 days, you can begin to reintroduce optional technologies back into your life to determine the value it brings you.

When you bring these optional technologies back into your life, a good plan of action is to create rules around how and when youll use them.

This is to ensure you dont fall back into the habit of checking Twitter as soon as your eyes open in the morning.

Fad or here to stay?

A 2018 survey of internet users in the US and UK found more than two-thirds (70%) of those surveyed have moderated their digital consumption in some way.

The survey found almost one-fifth (19%) of people had done a full-blown digital detox, while more than half (51%) labelled digital dieters had taken steps to reduce their time spent online.

With so many of us wanting to limit our time online, are there any benefits to this?

Studies have shown digital detoxes have many benefits. These include helping us connect with people in real life, increasing our focus, and allowing us to be more mindful of the world around us.