Digital detox gains popularity in Korea

[Photo by Yonhap]

As an ever-increasing supply of short-form content and games increases users’ dependence on digital devices such as smartphones, ‘digital detoxes’ are gaining popularity in South Korea.

According to a survey released by the Ministry of Science and ICT on Wednesday, one out of four Koreans (23.1 percent) are at risk of smartphone overdependence. In particular, 73.5 percent of Koreans were watching short-form content, known for their high addictiveness on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube Shorts, and 23 percent found it difficult to keep their screen time under control.

Against this backdrop, a digital detox movement in which people intentionally stay away from their smartphones to reduce the amount of time spent consuming short-form content and allocate time to activities other than smartphone use is quickly gaining popularity,.

A prime example is a ‘screen time’ challenge on the open chatrooms of KakaoTalk, the country‘s top mobile messaging app, and other social media outlets, whereby users share the amount of the time they spend on their smartphones daily.

Products such as storage cases that lock the phone for a set period of time to prevent it from being opened midway are also becoming popular.

Companies are also introducing content and products related to digital detox. The country’s top mobile carrier SK telecom Co., for example, has been hosting a dopamine detox exhibition at its T Factory since February 2024, where visitors submit their smartphones and enjoy activities such as reading and meditation in a sauna-themed exhibition space after checking their dopamine addiction levels.

“We have extended the operating period from the end of March to the end of April 2024 due to high visitor interest and response,” an SK telecom official said.

There are also budget carriers that offer low-cost plans for digital detox. Pindirect has been offering a ’Digital Detox 3GB Challenge‘ plan since 2022, which provides essential services such as 3GB of data, 30 minutes of calls, and 30 text messages for 6,900 won ($5.13) per month.

Toss Mobile also ran an experimental digital detox plan earlier in 2024.

According to the survey by the science ministry, 23.4 percent of respondents said that they practice digital detox by setting specific spaces and times to limit their smartphone usage as a way to combat smartphone overdependence.