Assessing the Impact of Digital Detox Practices among College Students - A Study with Reference to Nehru Arts And Science College

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of smartphones and social media platforms has significantly altered the academic and psychosocial landscape of higher education. While digital technologies offer academic advantages, excessive usage has been associated with smartphone addiction, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and declining academic performance. Digital detox practices structured or voluntary periods of reduced or eliminated digital engagement have emerged as potential interventions to mitigate these adverse outcomes. The present empirical study investigates the impact of digital detox practices among undergraduate students at Nehru Arts and Science College. Using a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design, 240 students were assessed using standardized measures of smartphone addiction, psychological well-being, anxiety levels, sleep quality, and academic engagement. Participants underwent a 14-day structured digital detox intervention involving restricted non-academic smartphone use, scheduled offline activities, and digital hygiene awareness sessions. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-tests, correlation, and regression analysis. Results indicated statistically significant reductions in smartphone addiction scores and anxiety levels, alongside improvements in sleep quality, psychological well-being, and academic concentration. The findings support digital detox as an effective short-term intervention for improving student mental health and academic functioning. Institutional recommendations for structured digital hygiene programs are discussed.