Are students too connected to disconnect

By Idara Ibanga 11-17-2025

For many college students, the day begins and ends with a screen. From answering emails and completing assignments to scrolling through social media-it is easy to spend nearly every waking hour online. However, University experts say that level of constant digital engagement is quietly taking a toll.

"Over the past few years, we've seen at the Counseling Center an increase in students describing a sense or need to stay connected all the time through social and academic platforms," said René Monteagudo, executive director of the University of Miami's Counseling Center. "This can create a sense of never feeling like they are 'off,' which can lead to increased experiences of anxiety, burnout, and sleep issues."

Monteagudo, who has worked in university counseling for more than 25 years, said that technology itself is not the problem. Rather, it is how students interact with it.

"There isn't a cookie-cutter solution here, but we try to meet students where they are at in developing goals and healthy relationships with technology," he said. "Our goal isn't necessarily to tell them to disconnect, but how to work on developing a more intentional relationship with these tools."

The issue, he explained, is that being constantly "on" can blur the line between productivity and exhaustion. "Students may report feeling connected to each other online, but lonely in real life," he said. "I would be questioning how this came about and what they would like to do about it."

That feeling of digital overload has real consequences. A 2024 studyconducted by BMC Public Health found that excessive screen viewing among university students was significantly associated with lower mental well-being, increased stress, and reduced sleep quality. Regina Ahn, assistant professor at the School of Communication, has seen the effects firsthand.

"People's attention span is shortened compared to a decade ago," she said. "It is so hard to pay attention. Even during class, students get easily distracted. When they have a little pause, they check messages, social media, or any notification and go back to class. That really affects how they can pay attention, their patience, and their performance."

Ahn said she has not seen many students practicing a true "digital detox," but she hopes more will begin to recognize the need for one. The key, she explained, is not removing technology altogether but learning to use it with purpose.

"A healthy media habit always starts from the purpose of using media," she said. "If you are using social media, ask yourself why you are using it at that moment. If you have a clear purpose, that is healthy."

Both Ahn and Monteagudo agree that awareness is the first step toward healthier digital behavior. They encourage students to start small: take short breaks from screens, set time limits for apps, or put devices away during meals and study sessions. Ahn suggests a short break of 5-10 minutes. "This can be readjusted as students update their goals for how they want to approach or practice digital detox. Later on, depending on their goals, it could develop into something bigger, such as a half-day break or avoiding social media during class." Even a few minutes of intentional disconnection can make a difference.

"Schedule downtimes, turn off nonessential notifications, and create habits that are tech-free," Monteagudo said. "Positive real-world, face-to-face connections are vital to our overall well-being."

For students who feel guilty about stepping away from their phones or social media, Monteagudo offers a reminder: It is not about abandoning technology, but about using it to serve rather than control your time. "You can't pour from an empty cup," he said. "To excel, we need to routinize periods of disconnection and recovery."

Ahn echoed the same idea, noting that true mindfulness comes from self-awareness, not restriction. "Know yourself, understand what you really need, and strategize your digital detox for your mental health," she said. "Always have a purpose, know your goal, and use media with intention."

As technology continues to shape how students learn, communicate, and rest, finding that balance has never been more important. The message from both experts is clear: A digital detox is not about deprivation; it is about reclaiming focus, peace, and connection in an always-on world.