Digital Detoxing Among Students: A Systematic Review

Smartphones, social media and constant screen time has entered the lives of adolescents and young adults and there has been a growing incidence of anxiety, sleep disruption, attentional problems and inactivity. Digital Detoxing has become a new form of self-regulation, with the goal of reducing or eliminating digital device use for a specific period of time and for specific purposes. This paper systematically synthesizes: neurological mechanisms underlying excessive digital engagement, and the efficacy of digital detox interventions across primary outcomes falling in the categories mental-health, cognitive, and behavioural outcomes in student and young-adult populations. In all 68 studies were short listed that met with inclusion criteria in the literature covered from 2010 - 2025. Pooled estimates revealed significant benefits of digital detox on anxiety, depression, sleep quality and subjective well-being. Cognitive attention outcomes showed moderate effects. Moderator analyses indicated that multicomponent interventions combining behavioural strategies with psychoeducation and mindfulness yielded the largest effects. Duration of 14–28 days and guided/therapist-supported formats significantly showed the largest effects. Digital detox interventions demonstrate consistent small-to-moderate efficacy across multiple outcomes in student populations. Structured, multicomponent programs of 2–4 weeks represent the current evidence-based standard.

digital detox interventions, screen time reduction, neurological mechanisms, excessive digital engagement, primary outcomes, moderator analyses

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