digital detox

American  

[dij-i-tl dee-toks] / ˈdɪdʒ ɪ tl ˈdi tɒks /

noun

Informal.

1. a period during which a person refrains from using digital or electronic devices in order to break a pattern of excessive or compulsive use, and instead prioritizes face-to-face social interactions, mindfulness, harmony with nature, etc.: Teen girls commonly suffer damage to their self-image with exposure to social media and may require a digital detox to address depression and other mental health challenges.

   If being connected 24/7 makes you feel stressed, anxious, or burned out, it’s time to put down the smartphone and get serious about a digital detox.

   Teen girls commonly suffer damage to their self-image with exposure to social media and may require a digital detox to address depression and other mental health challenges.

---

Etymology

Origin of digital detox

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

And new tools are available to make that happen: digital detox apps, phone-blocking gadgets, and groups, such as the one in Washington, that facilitate month-long detoxes.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Russia’s communications watchdog touted their benefits last year in a cartoon comparing them to a form of digital detox, urging Russians to log off and “find connection with yourself.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

A royal aide said this was a reference to the social impact of new technologies on communities, and that people might consider a "digital detox".

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

Dickson estimates that her digital detox has saved her roughly $300 to $500 a month, now that she is no longer tempted to buy new things or try new restaurants every day.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 10, 2025

But because of the largest tech companies’ incentives, the digital detox space is one of the most ripe for new entrants.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2025