It’s late, and after a long and productive day that marks the beginning of your planned two-week digital detox — completely unplugging from your devices and the online world — you’re finally ready to unwind with a paperback in the comfort of your bed. You’ve read the advice about keeping screens at bay during this period, but your smartwatch, still strapped to your wrist fresh from counting your steps after an evening walk, suddenly vibrates with a notification: it’s your mentor’s birthday. You try to ignore it, but the thought of what birthdays mean to your mentor nags at you.

You rationalise that a quick, heartfelt birthday message won’t hurt — just a few seconds and you’ll be back to your book. But what begins as a brief and well-intentioned task soon spirals into an extended session of catching up on everything you missed during the day. What was meant to be the start of your detox streak is now interrupted by the digital world you can’t seem to escape, even when you thought you seemed well-prepared.

That was evidently fictitious, but it’s not far from the truth: despite the growing clamour for digital detoxes, truly disconnecting from the digital world is nearly impossible today. Here’s why.

Technology’s Pervasive Influence

Technology is an integral part of our existence. From the moment we wake up to the sound of our smartphone alarm to when we call it a day, digital tools are our constant companions. We rely on them for communication, navigation, work, and even relaxation. How do you send an urgent email without your smartphone? Lost on the way somewhere? Your mobile map says hello. Want to unwind after a long day? The latest movies and music are begging to be streamed.

This is the reality — tech has infiltrated every area of our lives, making a true digital detox not just difficult, but almost inconceivable.

Though the idea of a digital detox is appealing, it seems more of a privilege than a practical option. For many people, particularly those actively engaged in their work, fully disconnecting from their devices is more than inconvenient. Imagine a digital marketer trying to detox without being on leave; or students during an academic term? Modern-day demands and technicalities make unplugging unworkable. And even outside of work, the pressure to stay socially connected can make a detox feel more like self-imposed isolation than a refreshing break.

Connectivity as a Social Norm

There’s also the pressure to be constantly online. Social norms have shifted to the point where being unreachable is seen as unusual, if not outright irresponsible. While some may have the luxury of occasionally embracing a nomadic lifestyle for the sake of a digital detox, the benefits of such breaks often dissipate quickly once back to routine, bringing with them a host of new challenges.

Yet, the move for digital detoxes continues to gain momentum. Recently, Human Mobile Devices (HMD) and Mattel launched a Barbie-themed phone designed to encourage digital detox. While this is a commendable attempt, its unsustainability in the long run isn’t promising.

Yearning to break free from the insatiable and excessive use of digital devices is an admirable goal, but the struggle isn’t with the devices themselves; it’s with the reflection staring back at you in the mirror

When reviewing the effectiveness of the Barbie phone in combating the surge of digital dependency, Peter Etchells, professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University, told BBC, “What we should be doing instead is thinking about, how do we build really good, really long term, sustainable digital literacy skills, in this generation. I think we could all be better at using our phones in a healthier and more resilient way.”

That about sums it up. We’re in a fully digitalised era, and there’s no going back. The key lies in cultivating a balanced relationship with technology, not in attempting to escape it altogether.