Two friends sitting down for a meal at a restaurant, however, one friend sits focusing on his phone in hand. Picture: Unsplash
Step outside — or even glance away from your smartphone — and you’ll likely be struck by a sea of faces, each illuminated by a glowing screen, consumed by the digital world.
There are over 6.3 billion smartphone users worldwide, according to Buildfire’s Mobile App Download Statistics & Usage Statistics for 2025.
The insights reveal that there are 2.87 million apps available for download on the Google Play Store, with an average of 1,167 new apps released each day.
On average, smartphone owners engage with 10 apps daily and 30 apps each month.
These statistics indicate a concerning trend: humans are rapidly becoming cyborgs, with our phones practically glued to our hands.
The capabilities of our smartphones allow us to imagine what it might feel like to become an AI-enabled cyborg, especially with the recent releases of technologies like ChatGPT and Deep Seek.
But consider this: what’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? For many born after the millennium, the answer is often to check their phones.
Author Michael Harris argues that Generation X is the last generation to remember life without the internet, particularly the oldest members of this cohort.
He suggests that future generations may become so immersed in their online lives that they will lose sight of the purpose and meaning inherent to the Internet.
To combat this digital immersion, Harris undertook a month-long social media detox, aiming to reconnect with life beyond the screen.
As many people scroll through platforms like TikTok and Facebook, searching for solutions to detox from social media, they encounter numerous stories shared by users about their own experiences. The irony is palpable; while seeking to disconnect, they are still engaging with the very platforms they wish to escape.
For instance, content creator and entrepreneur BreAnna Boyd (@thebreanna.b) took to YouTube and TikTok and shared her transformative journey: “One day, I was getting ready to make an Instagram post when I had a random thought: ‘Just delete the app’.
“I did just that. I deleted the app on my phone, looked myself in the mirror, and vowed not to return until I became the greatest version of myself.
“I expected it to last for 30-60 days, but that turned into three years. I was tired of being in the same place I was in the previous year. I was tired of waiting around for something to happen. I was tired.”
Boyd's compelling narrative serves as a testament to the personal liberation found in letting go of the digital leash.
Recognising the need for a digital detox
In an era defined by digital connectivity, the intense allure of social media can make it difficult to discern when our online habits may be harming us.
Dr Abongile Makuluma, a psychiatrist at Netcare Akeso Milnerton, urges individuals who find themselves perpetually glued to their social media apps to take a moment for reflection, and perhaps even a digital detox.
“A social network site detox allows a person to take a step back from all the ‘noise’ and to have more time available to increase meaningful in-person social engagement,” she explains.
“This period of disconnection not only presents an opportunity to engage in new hobbies or reflection but also allows individuals to assess how their quality of life evolves once freed from the frantic pace of social media interaction.”
Makuluma highlights a troubling trend in our hyper-connected society: the persistent availability of friends, family, and work colleagues can trigger adverse effects on mental health.
“This is especially true for those of us who use social media not just for personal connections but are connected 24/7 for work,” she notes.
The omnipresence of notifications often leads to feelings of compulsion—an incessant need to check for updates that can erode boundaries between work and personal life, leaving many feeling overwhelmed.
The psychiatrist raises pertinent questions: “What happens when the constant connectivity becomes too much? How do you disconnect when there's a fear of missing out on the latest posts or work interactions?”
Through normalising a culture of perpetual engagement, many are left grappling with their ability to step back. It begs the question: when does our digital presence compromise our well-being?
Makuluma emphasises the need to re-evaluate our relationship with social media, particularly when it begins to negatively impact our relationships, work, and overall health.
The fear of not being “seen” online can foster feelings of insecurity and inadequacy, especially within workplace dynamics.
“If you live in an ‘always-online’ environment, you risk other social and emotional aspects of your life suffering,” she warns, highlighting the challenge of achieving a healthy work-life balance.
For those who find social media an overwhelming presence in their lives, therapy can serve as a valuable resource.
Makuluma explains that therapeutic support can help individuals bolster their coping mechanisms, enhance social competence, and establish a healthy balance between digital engagement and real-life connections.
But how long should a detox last?
Makuluma suggests that while some say it takes 21 days to form a new habit, the path to behavioural change is rarely linear.
“It’s not a straight path to change behaviour,” she notes, acknowledging that people may experience relapses during their journey.
Ultimately, the duration of a detox should be “as long as is needed.”
Following a break, the key will be to develop a healthier relationship with social media — ensuring the benefits of participation outweigh the detriments and do not detract from one’s quality of life.