What is it about?
We explored tech-savvy millennials’ perceptions towards the increasingly popular digital detox holiday. On one hand, millennials perceive the benefits of disconnecting digitally on holiday which can contribute to their mental well-being, on the other hand, they perceive several constraints to going off-the-grid from tourist infrastructures, social expectations, and their technology dependence.
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Photo by Simon Migaj on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Millennials today are getting more aware of their digital health and work-life balance. They perceive digital detox as an effective channel to achieved sustained wellbeing. Regardless of the increasing demands of a digital detox holiday, tourism organisations and operations still focus on digitalisation of their operations, which makes it challenging for millennials to disconnect. Being ‘mentally away’ should be aligned with also being ‘physically away’ by reducing technology use to achieve psychological sustainability on holiday. Changes are required in social expectations to be constantly connected to support this home and away detachment. In addition, Support from various sectors are required to maximise the benefit of digital-free travel.
Perspectives
I found digital health is such an important topic today. In our study, we found it quite surprising that many millennials are aware of the dark side of technology and willing to try digital detox on holiday. But the constraints in the reality make it rather difficult to do so.
Dr Wenjie Cai
University of Greenwich
It has been a great pleasure to research such a current topic and being able to delve into the perceptions of millennials in regards to digital detox.
Christina Floros
University of Greenwich
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Imagine being off-the-grid: millennials’ perceptions of digital-free travel, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, October 2019, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/09669582.2019.1675676.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Millennials desperate to digitally disconnect hindered by fear of missing out, research reveals
Press release from the University of Greenwich
Nomophobia prevents millennials from switching off
The Irish Times
Research by the University of East Anglia found millennials are becoming 'desperate to digitally disconnect'
ITV News
Research reveals millennials hindered from disconnecting by fear of missing out
Phys.org
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