Digital detox aims to restore focus

Although short videos often fail to leave a lasting impression or require critical thinking, the constant influx of new content keeps individuals eagerly anticipating the next one.

Sha Xu, 30, from Beijing, made the decision in June 2023 to break free from her addiction of scrolling through short videos on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

The decision came after she resigned from her job to become a self-media creator, where disciplined time management is crucial.

"I used to procrastinate on less urgent tasks by watching videos and then I would forget what I originally intended to do," Sha said. Previously, she spent around two hours every day watching short videos, sometimes staying up past midnight.

She made a plan to gradually abstain from using Douyin for a month and moved the app to a folder on her phone that required multiple steps to access, reducing the temptation to open it.

After a month, she overcame her addiction. Now, she limits her video consumption to brief moments, such as during bathroom breaks. The practice embraced by young people is what United States author Cal Newport refers to as digital minimalism.

In 2019, the professor of computer science wrote the book Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.

In the book, he highlights the unsettling feeling brought about by excessive time and energy spent on apps.

The author proposes a philosophy of technology use called digital minimalism in which you radically reduce the time you spend staring at screens, focusing instead on a small number of digital activities that support things you deeply value and then happily ignoring the rest.

"You'll take walks, talk to friends in person, engage with your community, read books and stare at the clouds. Most importantly, the declutter gives you the space to refine your understanding of the things you value most," he wrote.

Sha said her practice has bolstered her sense of discipline, enabling her to stick to plans.

The time previously spent on watching videos is now redirected toward more focused activities, like reading a book.

"While short videos provide instant gratification, they offer little long-term value. Relying on algorithmic recommendations trap individuals in a filter bubble, limiting our exposure to a broader range of information," she said.

"It's important for us to curate the information we come across daily, practice digital decluttering, and prioritize essential content," she added.