In last week’s post, we discussed the negative consequences of this digital dependence. In this post, we will introduce the solution: A digital detox. I was recently introduced to this concept by a book with that title: Digital Detox, by Molly DeFrank. It was written for parents to detox their families and children and regain control over technology.

Technology – including smartphones, tablets, computers, and other types of screens – has many benefits. It can be used for learning, entertainment, communication, and more. But it comes with potential drawbacks. Did you know that many features of digital devices are designed to enhance dopamine release in the brain? Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that connects pleasure to behavior, motivating you to repeat actions that you find enjoyable or beneficial.

For most of human history, conversations took place face-to-face. Then, in the late 19th century, with the invention of the telephone,...