Tox and Detox

Introduction The public sphere includes a range of credible discourses asserting that proportion teenagers (“teens”) has an unhealthy dependence upon continuous connection with media devices, and especially smartphones. A review discourse (Jaunzems et al.) in Australia, critical Australia Belgium (Zaman al.), reveal both positive negative commentary around screentime. Despite the “emotionally laden, opposing views” expressed media, there appears to be groundswell concern young people’s digital devices al. 120). Concerns about ‘addiction’ dependency on first emerged Internet have been continually represented as technology evolves. One recent example is 2020 multi-part Massey Lecture series which hooked audiences provocative title: “we need reclaim our lives from phones” (Deibert). In Sydney, psychology-based “outpatient addiction treatment centre” offers specialised recovery programs for “Internet addiction”, noting addicts include school-aged teens, well adults (Cabin). Such reflects well-established social anxieties disruptive impacts new technologies society (Marvin), while focussing such disproportionately lives, priorities, activities people (Tsaliki Chronaki). While growing peer-reviewed evidence base suggests some problematic relationships (e.g. Odgers Robb; Donald al.; Gaspard; Tóth-Király Boer are also views Vuorre Ben Light, instance, highlights notion disconnection set practices using platforms not others, unfriending, selective anonymity (Light). We argue this version what we refer ‘detox’ two different practices. Detox, use it, regular removal elements lived experience (such food consumption) may enjoyable but potentially consequences over time, before (potentially) reintroducing element or pratice. aims detox ensuring greater control while, at same reducing exposure possible harm. There lack specific research unequivocally asserts Nonetheless, belief efficacy “the detox” (Beyond Blue) “unplugging” (Shlain). teen’s commitment smartphone abstinence non-fungible ‘as when’ use. other words, significant, ineluctable non-trivial difference between practice regularly disconnecting certain point day, specified period week, compared amount time ‘off’ device haphazard, when, doing something else, type practice. posit recurrent periods abstinence, equating detox, might support more balanced, healthy empowered Repeated case differs disconnected holiday, where person engage irregular withdrawal during annual (Traveltalk; Hoving; Stäheli Stoltenberg). does widespread historical cultural resonance, however, fasting Islam (the month Ramadan), Christian season Lent, holy Hindu Śravaṇa. Where prolonged supplemented by weekly holy-day fasts, they reprised regularity brings closer scheduled pattern see unstructured as-and-when approach. An extreme long fast intermittent days offered traditional Greek Orthodox church, whose teachings recommend Wednesdays Fridays religious days. With inclusion can comprise 180 per year: that’s half available As yet, no coherent supporting benefits disconnection. Australian mental health Website Beyond Blue, value cannot find stronger authority underpin than “Research Deloitte’s Mobile Consumer Survey report” indicates “44 cent think their phone problem trying reduce how much spend it” Blue). Academic literature addresses these areas drawing personal anecdote scarce non-existent. Insofar studies exist past decade, Maushart Leonowicz-Bukała al., experiments do commit repeated This article call investigate possibly teens’ practicing It argues actual yet collected. New knowledge area provide compelling dataset verifiable believe teenagers, parents communities willing trial appropriate interventions significant establish ‘before’ ‘after’ studies. opinions laid out sections follow. Teens’ Experiences Media, Smartphone, Other Cultural Dis/connection 2018, Pew Research Center US surveyed teens experiences updating earlier study 2014-15. They found almost all (95%) 743 study, aged 13 17 when were March-April had access (Anderson Jiang). report 2021 notes 88% 13-18, own (Common Sense Media 22). What more, survey American increased screen entertainment 7 hours, 22 minutes day 2019 8 39 3). Lee that, average, mobile users touch phones 2,617 times day. Sweden, youth 15-24 noted pervasive regarding logical assumption “that offline influenced adapted increasing online” (Thulin Vilhelmson 41). These authors critique overarching theory comprising homogenous group ‘digital natives’ identifying categories light, medium, heavy ICT. say “variation large, indicating responses ubiquitous ICT highly diverse rather homogenously determined” 48). otherwise further potential differentiator experiences. Any investigation into should help indicate ways achieve comparatively less “teens who five hours 71% higher risk factor suicide”. Twenge Campbell (311) used “three large surveys adolescents countries (n = 221,096)” explore differences ‘light users’ (<1 hour day) ‘heavy (5+ day). data “heavy (vs. light) 48% 171% likely unhappy, low well-being, suicide factors depression, suicidal ideation, attempts” (Twenge 311). Notably, Livingstone among others emotive assertions tend ignore nuance bodies (Livingstone, Twenge). Even so, it plausible online interpolate positively negatively activities. capacity disconnect, disengage will, allows teen opportunity individual choice impacting boyd argued 2014: “it’s complicated”. findings 2018 comments include: 81% “feel connected friends”; 69% “think helps [them] interact people”; 68% if will them through tough times.” Jiang) most numerous address teens: 45% overwhelmed drama there”; 43% pressure only post content makes look good others”; 37% get lot likes comments.” notable three latter points relate vulnerabilities others’ themselves associated rollercoaster emotions cause. resonate Ciarrochi al.’s argument kinds activity impact issues control, forms females’ “compulsive internet […] worse males” (276). known, because never investigated, whether any flowing gendered dimension. If disconnect regularly, separating haphazard episodes disconnection, enhance quality engagement. Potentially, power turn off going got allow feel being susceptible compulsion one 17-year-old told researchers, ruefully, “[teens] would go scrolling instead homework, it’s so easy so. It’s just huge distraction” Few contexts disengagement smartphones, Icelandic society, Judaism common overnight offer helpful indications benefits. Cross-Cultural Religious Interventions Smartphone Use Concern use, described above, typically applied constitutes integral part everyday life. untangling interconnection benefit comparative experimental. Our suggestions Iceland has, past, adopted Karlsson Broddason term “a paternalistic conservatism” (1). Legislators concerned television deferred introduction broadcasting many years, beyond European nations services. Program offerings expanded gradual way after 1966 beginnings Iceland’s broadcasting. note, “initially transmission limited few evening, week television-free July. number was six within still July until 1983 Thursdays 1987” (6). Interestingly, nation open experimentation grand scale. 1990s, example, response substance abuse country implemented interventionist whole-of-Iceland program: Prevention Model (Kristjansson al.). Social smaller scale remains fabric. More recently, 2015 2019, ran successful experiment whereby 1% working population worked shorter work full pay. test deemed “workers able less, paid same, maintaining productivity improving well-being” (Lau Sigurdardottir). self-governing villages operate particularly inclusive form consultative local democracy enabling buy-in experiments. Two interested trialling intervention reason make (and others’) Those reasons indicated observational systematically investigated perspective evaluating practiced families leave outside bedroom night-time. habit putting charge, usually shared space kitchen lounge room, referring again key morning: dressed, ready house. family didn’t adopt According researchers Nordic nations, including co-authors Kjartan Ólafsson Elisabeth Staksrud, community keen months went hand rigorous evaluation impact. Some exemplar smartphone. Young suspend use) focus deepening engagement friends, spiritual development. Notable examples identify members Jewish faith. Their withdrawing technological observance Shabbat Sabbath): least, theory. For ten years otherwise-Orthodox “half-Shabbat,” estimated 17-50% cohort secretly 25 mandated abstinence. teacher high school argues, “to phone, like choking air” (Telushikin). privately admit half-Shabbat envision moving towards adulthood: wholehearted disengagement, even hard fully lives. Hadlington “I Cannot Live without My [Tablet]” similarly evokes broader crisis children’s children 8-12 tablet onto ownership appreciate every networked integrated dataflows. constant connectivity appear ‘first world problem’, preparing optimal promoting conscious wishes. aligns rights interrogating media. putative investigating perspectives held comparing those follow liberal faith: smartphones teens. comparison groups, co-author Lynne Cohen, (in part) attributed don’t benefits, incumbent advantages drawbacks That done current outlined via experimental approximately second Icelandic/Nordic community. Potential Value Investigating (Non-)Fungibility Digital Engagement Inactivity hypothesis addressed technologies. established theories. theories domestication its integration daily life, helping explain struggle detaching once become fundamental routine. Domestication moves novelty aspect (Berker Displacement replete substituted enjoyed generations grew up them, alternative suggestion add to, displace, contexts. Borrowing inputs disciplinary traditions, mindfulness increasingly robust evidence-based, “attentiveness present yield corrective curative right” (Brown 1). Constant attention distraction mindful environment. detailed character suggestions, proffered health, resilience, sociality. information initiatives schools organisations central institute regimes, akin Thursdays. innovations could build aligned “no email Fridays” (Horng), trialled business Further, above recommendations parents, educators, caregivers contained papers Common site, Tweens, Teens, Tech, Mental Health (Odgers Robb) Device-Free Dinners (Robb). Relevantly, results post-COVID era considering best generation earlier, often, them. align early-stage adoption United Nations’ General Comment No. Children’s Rights Relation Environment (UNCRC). fungibility abstention contribute national international debate informed decisions connect, References Anderson, Monica, Jingjing Jiang. "Teens’ Habits Experiences." 28 Nov. 2018. <https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/11/28/teens-social-media-habits-and-experiences/>. Berker, Thomas, Maren Hartmann, Yves Punie. Technology. 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