DIGITAL ADDICTIONS AND DIGITAL MINIMALISM AS A ROAD TO ESCAPE FROM DIGITAL ADDICTIONS

Abstract

After digitalization is integrated with communication technologies, daily life continues under the dominance of digital tools. Individuals continue their lives in an intense technology spiral and use these technologies in the work they need to do in their daily routines. In the process from the past to the present, although a reluctant and pessimistic view is displayed against every new technology, none of them has been as effective and connected in human life as the digital tools that have entered our lives with the internet. The prejudice against digital tools at the beginning has left itself a habit over time, and these tools have become an inseparable part of the lives of individuals. The urge to stay in constant connection and control outside of the advantageous areas of use, such as the convenience offered by digital technologies, providing access anywhere at any time, and being inexpensive, turns into a disadvantage for some individuals and leads to addiction. Today, individuals' close relationship with technologies has started to turn them into digital addicts, and individuals have made these tools a tool that they interact with instead of using them for purpose. Recently, digital detox, digital diet, and digital minimalism are frequently used methods as one of the ways to get rid of or prevent digital addictions. In this study, in the context of digital minimalism, in order to get rid of digital addictions or prevent addiction, it is aimed to reveal whether individuals have minimalized usage habits while using digital tools. In this context, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants, four women, and four men, studying at the faculty of communication. In the interviews, it was concluded that the duration of digital tool use of the participants was at the level of addiction, and they did not make a distinction between technological benefits and harms while using digital tools. At the same time, it has been observed that the participants spend their free time using these technologies and do not have usage habits that they do not place in the order of importance in technology use and that they minimize while using digital tools. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the participants were actually digital addicts, and they did not take any action to prevent it.