This could be draining more than your phone’s battery—it might also be speeding up your ageing process!
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The search for that elusive fountain of youth has been a timeless pursuit. We've explored countless avenues, from expensive skincare routines to the latest beauty trends, hoping to turn back the clock.
We’ve invested time and money, chasing that youthful glow and mental sharpness. Yet, what if the key to feeling younger wasn't tucked away in an expensive bottle?
What if the secret to revitalising our minds was simpler, and surprisingly less costly than we ever imagined? A recent discovery suggests that the path to reclaiming our youthful vitality might be closer than we think.
A study by researchers at the University of British Columbia found that turning off your phone's internet access for a few weeks could reverse your brain age by a decade.
The research involved 400 participants, including students and working-age adults, who were asked to download an app that blocked their smartphones' access to the internet.
However, they could still use their phones for essential functions like calling and sending texts. Before and after the two weeks, participants completed surveys to assess their brain function and mental well-being.
They were divided into two teams. The first team installed an app known as the Freedom App, which entirely restricted internet access on their phones for the initial two weeks.
The second team generally used their phones during the first two weeks, after which they downloaded the app to restrict internet access for the following two weeks.
The results were nothing short of remarkable. Participants' sustained attention—their ability to focus on a single subject—improved to the level of someone 10 years younger.
Additionally, 90 per cent reported a significant boost in mental health, comparable to or even greater than the effects of taking antidepressants for the same duration. Personal well-being and life satisfaction also saw notable improvements.
Researchers said these positive changes stem from how individuals spent their time once they were no longer tethered to the internet.
When the digital distraction was removed, people engaged more in face-to-face socialising, physical exercise, and time spent in nature—all activities known to benefit mental health and cognitive function.
The study also revealed a dramatic reduction in screen time. Participants' daily usage dropped by nearly half, from over five hours to under three.
Among the 467 participants who joined the study, 266 successfully downloaded and installed the app. Out of these, 119 restricted internet access for at least 10 of the 14 days of the intervention.
Screen time increased to 265 minutes over the next two weeks when internet access was unrestricted, yet it remained 15 per cent lower than before the experiment.
In the other group, screen time decreased from 336 to 322 minutes during the initial two weeks when they did not block internet access. It fell from 322 to 190 minutes in the following two-week period, a 41 per cent reduction compared to the earlier periods.
In the group that first restricted internet access, daily screen time declined from 314 minutes to 161 minutes—a nearly 50 per cent reduction.
'Despite the many benefits mobile internet offers, reducing the constant connection to the digital world can have large positive effects,' the research team said.
'These findings suggest that constant connection to the online world comes at a cost, since psychological functioning improves when this connection is reduced.'
Almost 90 per cent of adults in the United States (US) use smartphones, and individuals typically spend more than four hours daily using them. However, nearly half of the American population—and around 80 per cent of those under 30—worry about frequent smartphone usage.
Concerns about the effects of constant online presence are growing, with many young adults worried about their ability to connect meaningfully with others and engage with their families.
The ripple effect of these concerns is evident in education, where several US and United Kingdom (UK) states have banned mobile phones in classrooms. The bans aim to address issues like cyberbullying, poor mental health, and learning disruptions.
Teachers in the UK have reported improvements in student behaviour and academic performance following the ban.
Researchers expressed similar worries, indicating that humans evolved in an environment where acquiring information and social interaction were difficult. This indicated that constant online engagement might hinder the ability to manage thoughts and behaviours.
The intervention restricted all internet access; however, the researchers mentioned they aim to selectively block specific applications in the future, such as social media platforms.
They also expressed interest in exploring whether limiting the usage of other internet-connected devices, such as laptops or tablets, might produce comparable effects.
One limitation noted was that the sample primarily consisted of individuals eager to reduce their smartphone usage.
The study received funding from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, with Facebook being one of the major contributors. Facebook is the foundation's biggest donor, donating $1.75 billion to the charity in 2010 and an additional $200 million in 2018.
Have you ever taken a break from the internet or your smartphone? Did you notice any changes in your mental well-being or attention span? Share your experiences in the comments below.
We’ve invested time and money, chasing that youthful glow and mental sharpness. Yet, what if the key to feeling younger wasn't tucked away in an expensive bottle?
What if the secret to revitalising our minds was simpler, and surprisingly less costly than we ever imagined? A recent discovery suggests that the path to reclaiming our youthful vitality might be closer than we think.
A study by researchers at the University of British Columbia found that turning off your phone's internet access for a few weeks could reverse your brain age by a decade.
The research involved 400 participants, including students and working-age adults, who were asked to download an app that blocked their smartphones' access to the internet.
However, they could still use their phones for essential functions like calling and sending texts. Before and after the two weeks, participants completed surveys to assess their brain function and mental well-being.
A University of British Columbia study found that disconnecting from phone and internet for two weeks may reverse brain age by 10 years. Credit: Viralyft/Pexels
They were divided into two teams. The first team installed an app known as the Freedom App, which entirely restricted internet access on their phones for the initial two weeks.
The second team generally used their phones during the first two weeks, after which they downloaded the app to restrict internet access for the following two weeks.
The results were nothing short of remarkable. Participants' sustained attention—their ability to focus on a single subject—improved to the level of someone 10 years younger.
Additionally, 90 per cent reported a significant boost in mental health, comparable to or even greater than the effects of taking antidepressants for the same duration. Personal well-being and life satisfaction also saw notable improvements.
Researchers said these positive changes stem from how individuals spent their time once they were no longer tethered to the internet.
When the digital distraction was removed, people engaged more in face-to-face socialising, physical exercise, and time spent in nature—all activities known to benefit mental health and cognitive function.
The study also revealed a dramatic reduction in screen time. Participants' daily usage dropped by nearly half, from over five hours to under three.
Among the 467 participants who joined the study, 266 successfully downloaded and installed the app. Out of these, 119 restricted internet access for at least 10 of the 14 days of the intervention.
Screen time increased to 265 minutes over the next two weeks when internet access was unrestricted, yet it remained 15 per cent lower than before the experiment.
In the other group, screen time decreased from 336 to 322 minutes during the initial two weeks when they did not block internet access. It fell from 322 to 190 minutes in the following two-week period, a 41 per cent reduction compared to the earlier periods.
In the group that first restricted internet access, daily screen time declined from 314 minutes to 161 minutes—a nearly 50 per cent reduction.
'Despite the many benefits mobile internet offers, reducing the constant connection to the digital world can have large positive effects,' the research team said.
'These findings suggest that constant connection to the online world comes at a cost, since psychological functioning improves when this connection is reduced.'
Almost 90 per cent of adults in the United States (US) use smartphones, and individuals typically spend more than four hours daily using them. However, nearly half of the American population—and around 80 per cent of those under 30—worry about frequent smartphone usage.
Concerns about the effects of constant online presence are growing, with many young adults worried about their ability to connect meaningfully with others and engage with their families.
The ripple effect of these concerns is evident in education, where several US and United Kingdom (UK) states have banned mobile phones in classrooms. The bans aim to address issues like cyberbullying, poor mental health, and learning disruptions.
Teachers in the UK have reported improvements in student behaviour and academic performance following the ban.
Researchers expressed similar worries, indicating that humans evolved in an environment where acquiring information and social interaction were difficult. This indicated that constant online engagement might hinder the ability to manage thoughts and behaviours.
The intervention restricted all internet access; however, the researchers mentioned they aim to selectively block specific applications in the future, such as social media platforms.
They also expressed interest in exploring whether limiting the usage of other internet-connected devices, such as laptops or tablets, might produce comparable effects.
One limitation noted was that the sample primarily consisted of individuals eager to reduce their smartphone usage.
The study received funding from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, with Facebook being one of the major contributors. Facebook is the foundation's biggest donor, donating $1.75 billion to the charity in 2010 and an additional $200 million in 2018.
Have you ever taken a break from the internet or your smartphone? Did you notice any changes in your mental well-being or attention span? Share your experiences in the comments below.
