The Benefits of a Digital Detox Your Family Needs

A recent study in 2024 from the National Institutes of Health took a deep dive into the actual effects of a digital detox. They surveyed a group of adults who participated in some version of one and discovered — among many other fascinating results — that the respondents found the detox “less challenging than anticipated.” 

If you’ve considered a tech detox recently — either for yourself, your child, or the whole family — then consider this your encouragement to give it a try! We’ve put together a list of benefits you can expect that will hopefully serve as the right motivation to get you started. Will it be a piece of cake? No, but you may be surprised once you find the right type of detox that fits your needs. So before we get to those benefits, let’s take a look at some of the types of detoxes. 

What Is a Digital Detox? 

You might be thinking a detox means a complete ban on all things screen-related for two weeks at minimum. The reality is that this is just one way to go about a digital detox. A detox can come in many different shapes and sizes, depending on the person. 

The NIH study mentioned above noted that the participants saw the most success with their detox when it was personalized to their lifestyle, meaning it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. This helps balance our digital world in moderation, as opposed to cutting it all out cold turkey, which can be daunting and simply unrealistic for many of us. 

Here are some ideas for a digital detox: 

• Scheduled detox: All screens are put away for a specific amount of time on a regular basis. An example would be no screens allowed for dinner or every Sunday afternoon for family quality time. 
• Device-specific detox: If there’s one particular device that seems to have more negative impacts than another (for your child, perhaps this is their video game console vs. their smartphone), consider detoxing from this device for a pre-determined amount of time. 
• Platform-specific detox: Follow the same process as with the device detox. If there’s a particular app, game, or social media that’s too addicting, try to cut that one out specifically.

Finding the detox that works for you may be one of these things or a combination of several. It will likely be a trial-and-error experience. But once you find the one that strikes the perfect balance, then you may start to see the following effects outlined below.  

Four Benefits of a Digital Detox 

Improving mental wellness 

This one isn’t a far leap — many of us inherently know that screens can really do a number on our mental well-being. Taking a break from the digital world can improve social connections, reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood regulation, and so much more. 

Many of these improvements come from taking a break from devices or platforms that have a distinctive addictive quality. So again, it’s worth pinpointing what device or platform seems most addictive and tailoring your detox to that. 

Better sleep

It’s hard to get good sleep when your brain is always on and stimulated. That’s why it’s recommended to put your screens away around 30 minutes before going to bed to get your mind primed for sleep. Doing this is like a mini detox at the end of your day. But no matter what kind of detox you choose for your child or your family, it can certainly lend itself to better sleep. 

Decreased dependency 

The NIH study also noted a decrease in dependency on technology in participants, some even lasting up to two weeks after the trial. This means that taking a significant break from tech can have a lasting and positive impact. It might take some time for a new habit like this to form and stick, but at least taking the break can make you realize just how dependent you (or your child) were on the tech in the first place. 

Managing boredom 

This one is geared more towards kids. If there’s one thing that is simultaneously great for kids — but also complained about the most by kids — it’s boredom. Kids always want to be entertained and technology is one of the most streamlined ways to cure boredom. But studies show that when kids are left to their own devices (metaphorically speaking) to entertain themselves, it does wonders for their development. Problem-solving, engaging their creativity, learning to take initiative — you name it. 

How Bark Can Help Start Your Digital Detox  

Taking a digital detox for your child or your whole family is hard to manage by yourself, but Bark can become your personal tech detox helper! The Bark Home can help you manage internet access to any internet-connected device in your home. You can block the internet completely to certain devices, or put all devices on schedule to turn off the internet at a specific time. Essentially, it will allow you to remotely automate your chosen digital detox, making it easier to manage and control.

Bark also offers a variety of products that help parents protect their kids online, including the Bark Phone, the Bark Watch, the Bark app, and the Bark Home. Check out our products page to find out which one is the best fit for your family.