Generational Understanding of Digital Detoxification: A study about the ‘Compelling Consumption patterns’ of Digital Content and its implication among the Digital Natives and Digital Migrants

Abstract

This study examines how different age groups view digital detoxification, with a particular emphasis on digital natives and migrants. People are struggling with the possible effects of technology on their social well-being, productivity, and mental health as it gets more and more ingrained in daily life. In-depth interviews with participants from two different age groups—digital migrants, who embraced digital tools later in life, and digital natives, who grew up with technology are used in this study to investigate the reasons behind, experiences with, and results of digital detoxification. Each group's distinct disconnecting factors coping strategies during the detox, and opinions on the difficulties or successes of cutting back on screen time are all included in the interviews. In-depth interview methodology was employed in this study. According to preliminary research, digital natives frequently seek digital detoxification for mental clarity and personal balance since they feel constantly connected and under pressure from social media. On the other hand, physical signs like eye strain or a desire to re-engage with offline events may prompt digital migrants to begin detoxing. Furthermore, older individuals worry about the impact of their decreased availability on their careers, whereas younger participants report higher levels of social worries, such as FOMO, during detox. The study shows subtle intergenerational differences in coping mechanisms and digital reliance, indicating that whereas digital migrants frequently take unplanned breaks, digital natives are more likely to use structured detoxification techniques. The research's findings advance our knowledge of digital well-being and have implications for developing age-appropriate interventions that encourage better intergenerational relationships with technology.