Healthy Usage Recommendation Instead of Digital Detox from Akdeniz University

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Erdoğan, a faculty member in the Department of Mental Health and Diseases at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, pointed out the importance of using social media and the internet in a healthy and balanced way instead of completely quitting them, stating that permanent healthy usage habits should be acquired rather than temporary digital detoxes.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Erdoğan, a faculty member in the Department of Mental Health and Diseases at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, stated that digital detox posts spread on social media enable individuals to question their usage habits, but returning to old habits after short-term breaks does not offer a permanent solution. Emphasizing that usage time and habits of digital tools, which are an inseparable part of daily life, should be controlled, Erdoğan noted that the main goal is not to temporarily stay away from the internet, but to use technology in a beneficial way.

Stating that constant exposure to notifications and social media content can lead to distraction and mental fatigue, Erdoğan reported that restlessness arising when not using the phone in cases without a dependency level is temporary. Touching upon the importance of planning usage time in advance, adhering to set limits, and developing new habits over time, Erdoğan noted that situations such as digital usage disrupting daily chores and school, or preferring virtual interaction instead of face-to-face communication, could be signs of problematic usage.

Erdoğan noted that he finds the regulation restricting social media use for children under the age of 15 positive. Stating that adolescents may have difficulty controlling their behaviors, Erdoğan indicated that age restrictions can be effective in preventing internet and behavioral addictions, and shared the message "Let's connect to life, not the screen," emphasizing that families should guide their children.