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According to research, the trend of digital device use among the younger generation in South Korea is increasing, and 60% of respondents believe that they are "highly dependent" on digital devices. Many are gradually suffering from "digital dementia", so the concept of "digital detoxification" has begun to receive attention.

Market research company Embrain Trend Monitor (trendmonitor.co.kr) conducted a "2024 Digital Dementia and Digital Detox (Distancing) Awareness Survey" among 1,200 men and women aged 13 to 69 who use smartphones across South Korea. The results of the study found that with the increase in dependence on digital devices, the problem of "digital detox" has become a serious social problem. Therefore, the need for "digital detox" (i.e. "consciously reducing the use of electronic devices and social networks") is gaining attention.

80% of respondents believe that "not having digital devices would be very inconvenient" The younger generation tends to use digital devices habitually

First, people generally believe that the advantages of the digital age outweigh the disadvantages (64.8% agree), and they highly value the necessity of digital devices. 84.8% of respondents agree that "in order to obtain information known by others, it is necessary to use digital devices"; 85.3% believe that "it would be very inconvenient without digital devices"; and 84.4% also believe that "it would be difficult to keep up with the pace of change in the world if you stay away from digital devices." In modern society where a large amount of information flows rapidly, digital devices are regarded as the core means of obtaining information.

In addition, especially among the younger generation, digital devices are often used to kill time while waiting for someone (93.6%) or before going to bed (90.2%). There is also a clear trend of using digital devices while working, eating, walking, and other activities (see the figure below). Many people in this generation habitually use digital devices without special reasons (40.5% of teens, 44.5% of 20s, 39.5% of 30s, 32% of 40s, 28% of 50s, and 17% of 60s). Digital devices have become familiar and indispensable tools in daily life, so digital device addiction is a problem worthy of attention.

The proportion of Korean people using digital devices in different situations in their daily lives. (Image source: provided by i-Buzz Online Reputation Research Center)

60% of people rate themselves as "highly dependent on digital devices" The problem of young students' dependence on digital devices is becoming more serious

As the overall use of digital devices increases, "dependence on digital devices" seems to be becoming a serious social problem. First, a large number of respondents admitted that they are addicted to digital devices, with more than 60% of people evaluating themselves as "highly dependent on digital devices such as smartphones", and 59.8% said that they occasionally feel addicted to digital devices. In particular, while adolescent respondents deeply evaluated their dependence, they found it difficult to control the time they spent using smartphones, and there were obvious limitations in their self-control in using digital devices.

Perhaps for this reason, more respondents said they had to stay away from digital devices recently (64.5% of teens, 58.5% of 20s, 59.5% of 30s, 53.5% of 40s, 51.5% of 50s, and 40% of 60s). Nearly 90% of respondents highly agree with this phenomenon, and feel that the problem of teenagers and students' dependence on digital devices has become increasingly serious recently. Many people are also worried that the increase in smartphone use seems to reduce the time for talking or building relationships with others. The problem of digital device dependence seems to be getting more and more serious (86.8% agree), which is likely to give rise to activities that intentionally limit the use of digital devices.

Korean teenagers are heavily dependent on digital devices. (Photo source: i-Buzz Online Reputation Research Center)

Nearly 80% are willing to do digital detox in the future, 76.5% think it is "difficult to implement"

With the increasing reliance on digital devices in daily life, many people suffer from "digital dementia". About half of the respondents have actually experienced symptoms of digital dementia (14.4% often, 36.4% occasionally), mainly manifested as: not remembering contact information (22.4%), and overall memory loss (22.2%). In response, a considerable number of respondents believe that "the problem of digital dementia in the whole society seems to be very serious in recent years" (68.5% agree), especially primary and secondary school students, who seem to be the most worrying age group with this symptom (52.3% for primary school students and 50.5% for secondary school students).

People have to start thinking seriously about "digital detox (stay away)" (people who think digital detox is needed – 80.2%). 79.5% of respondents expressed their intention to do digital detox in the future, including not using smartphones before bed (41.3%, multiple choice), reducing usage time to exercise (36.8%), and reading paper books (31.9%).

They believe that digital detoxification will help build a healthy lifestyle and will be an opportunity to pay more attention to themselves. However, 83.8% still believe that although digital detoxification can reduce dependence on digital devices, it is difficult to completely eliminate it; 76.5% also believe that although they do feel the need for digital detoxification, it is difficult to actually put it into practice. Perhaps for this reason, 60% of the respondents said that the Korean government should actively implement relevant consultation and treatment projects to reduce digital dependence and encourage digital detox activities.

76.5% of the respondents believe that digital detoxification can establish a healthy lifestyle, but 83.5% of the respondents believe that dependence on devices is difficult to eradicate. (Image source: provided by i-Buzz Online Reputation Research Center)

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[This article is the author's opinion and does not represent the position of this media]

Review Editor: Lin Yuting