Background

Social networks have become very important for many people and it is challenging to envision life without them. However, the constant availability of social media carries a high risk of problematic usage behavior and can lead to addiction. Digital detoxing can be a means of reducing problematic behavior. In addition, mindfulness practice has shown to reduce stressful experiences and increase well-being.

Aims

Thus, a mindfulness-based digital detox intervention was developed. One had to abstain from selected social networks, such as Instagram, TikTok and BeReal, and perform daily mindfulness exercises for two weeks. The study’s aims were to evaluate the participants’ reaction towards the intervention, to assess their self-reflection and learning effects regarding mindfulness as well as their expectancy towards the future attentive use of social media.

Method

For this purpose, seven females and two males participated in the intervention. The participants were asked to evaluate the intervention and tell about their experiences in two separate group discussions. The data was analysed following the principles of Mayring.

Results

Results showed that the participants liked the intervention’s concept and didactics. The intervention allowed them to feel more relaxed, be more reflective, and focus on other important things in life. They described to have a more conscious perception of their surroundings and the majority wants to detox more often. However, withdrawal symptoms such as boredom and relapse occasionally occurred for three women. All participants recognized that they have an automaticity in their use of social media and that the social pressure they feel in using social media became less. The participants are rethinking their social media consumption.

Conclusion

The combination of a social media detox intervention with mindfulness exercises was positively evaluated and triggered self-reflection regarding a more mindful life-style. The methodology and sample regarding their limitations as well as the intervention’s relevance will be discussed. The effects of the intervention will be examined in a following quantitative field experiment.