Digital Detox: The Effect of a Social Media Intervention on Well-being and Procrastination

Abstract

n an era where social media's influence is pervasive, achieving a balanced relationship with social media has become crucial for well-being. This study investigates, if a one-week digital detox intervention improves well-being, focusing on a sustained effect, the mediation role of procrastination, and examining if these effects are more pronounced among heavy social media users. A sample of 92 participants, aged 19 to 67, underwent a digital detox, abstaining from selected social media apps. The results demonstrated significant short-term improvements in well-being during the detox, with sustained benefits observed one week after the detox. Mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between social media use and well-being was fully mediated by procrastination before the detox, but this mediation was not sustained after the detox. Additionally, no significant moderation effect of heavy social media use on relationships was found. These findings underscore the complexity of social media's impact on well-being and the critical role of procrastination. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs with more frequent assessment points to explore long-term effects and consider the broader definition of digital detox, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with meaningful offline activities.