Far, Far, Beyond the Mountains, Beyond the Seas… Perception of Quasi-Involuntary Internet Detox by Young Participants in a Long Sea Voyage
Far, Far, Beyond the Mountains, Beyond the Seas… Perception of Quasi-Involuntary Internet Detox by Young Participants in a Long Sea Voyage

Summary/Abstract: Research on digital detox focuses on voluntary, less often involuntary process. Meanwhile, there are situations where the disconnection is partly unforced and partly coercive. This is the case of long-distance travel, where the primary goal is to have unique experiences, digital detox being a secondary benefit. Such situations rarely involve young people, as they show a unique attachment to technology. This study focused on young users (15–18 years old), staying in the unusual conditions of almost complete cut-off from the internet during a 2-month long-haul voyage. The aim was to determine their perceptions of the quasi-voluntary internet detox and its effects in areas such as social relationships, education and wellbeing. To this end, individual, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. The research showed that digital detox did not pose a major challenge for participants. They presented a high awareness of the influence of technology and digital disconnection on their lives.

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